Dorking Wandering
The Dorking Wanderers FC Fans Forum
I think we can safely say that the final 3 relegation spots will be any 3 of the current bottom 5 teams (not counting Oxford) - Dorking, Kiddy, Boreham Wood, Wealdstone, York. If any of Ebbsfleet, Maidenhead, Woking, Fylde lose their remaining games then there is a chance they could get dragged in to it but I doubt it.
These are the remaining fixtures for each club:
| Date | Dorking (44) | Kidderminster (46) | Boreham Wood (47) | Wealdstone (47) | York City (50) |
| Tues 9th | Rochdale (A) | Southend (H) | |||
| Thurs 11th | Wealdstone (A) | Dorking (H) | |||
| Sat 13th | Rochdale (A) | Eastleigh (H) | Aldershot (A) | Chesterfield (H) | Woking (H) |
| Tues 16th | Eastleigh (H) | ||||
| Sat 20th | Hartlepool (H) | Barnet (A) | Ebbsfleet (H) | Oldham (A) | Solihull (A) |
I wouldn't say any club has an "easy" run-in but statistically we have the easiest at an average league position of 14.3. Kidderminster have the hardest at 8th.
Boreham Wood look to have a tricky few games to me; it just depends how up for it Rochdale will be as they are one of the few teams not playing for anything at this stage really. Aldershot away will be though as they need to win to keep in the playoff hunt and Ebbsfleet are one of the form teams in the league at the moment. I don't see them getting much more than 4 points from those 3 games.
Kidderminster have the hardest run in in terms of league position but I actually think that Eastleigh home game is very winnable for them. Barnet away will obviously be tough but they may have already secured 2nd place by then and able to rest players for the playoffs. Again, I think 4 points is a realistic amount for them as a maximum.
Wealdstone have the unenviable task of playing 5 games in 11 days which you imagine will really hurt them as a part time side, although 4 of those games being at home is a big help for them. Will they sacrifice the Southend game to have a bigger go against us considering we are their direct relegation rivals? Chesterfield already appear to be on the beach a little bit but are chasing that 100 point total. Eastleigh at home again looks winnable but a playoff chasing Oldham might be tough on the last day of the season. The max I can see them getting is 5 points.
York City are likely safe in my opinion but I think they are capable of losing both those games, especially as they picked up a couple of suspensions yesterday. However, Woking will feel they are safe now and might lose a bit of edge so I would expect York to beat them at home. Solihull away will be though though as they are still fighting for a playoff place. 3 points expected from those 2 games which should see them survive.
That just leaves Dorking - I think the games at Wealdstone and Hartlepool should be wins but it is that short turnaround at Rochdale that really worries me. Although technically it isn't much different to playing Saturday and then a Bank Holiday Monday, I think it will be a big ask at this stage of the season with the injuries we have. If the Prior injury rules him out for more than the Wealdstone game then I think we will be down. That being said, I can see us gettin 7 points max from these games.
If everyone picks up there max points total then that leaves the final points tally as:
19th - York City - 53 pts
20th - Wealdstone - 52 pts
21st - Boreham Wood - 51 pts
22nd - Dorking - 51 pts
23rd - Kiddy - 50 pts
I think the big question here is Wealdstone, can they get 5 points from those 5 games with such short turnarounds? If they lose on Tuesday against Southend then I can maybe see Wealdstone and Boreham Wood swapping places.
Am I being too harsh on Eastleigh calling them a comfortable win for every side? Will Rochdale be more up for it than I am expecting?
One thing that I do expect is 9 points from Dorking should keep them up.
Looking like the Rochdale v Boreham Wood game might be off tonight. Assuming it gets moved to Tuesday next week then that is really not great for us as it gives Rochdale a full week of recovery before our game against them on Sat.
Also, hopefully the pitch is ok by the time we play them... 😬
Really hope Rochdale's pitch is good for Saturday as combining it with the Liverpool-Palace game at Anfield on Sunday (although the latter game means it wouldn't be a wasted trip)
The leagues all seem to be finishing a week earlier than usual this season, meaning so many clubs have fixture backlogs to cram in, Truro, Wealdstone and Taunton spring to mind
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
Rochdale v Boreham Wood off tonight.
Not great for our game on Saturday but helps us in that Boreham Wood have a busier final week now.
At least we travel to Wealdstone in hope I suppose.
I have a nagging feeling that our lousy goal difference is going to cost us in the end.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
@calvertskans that's unbelievable mate, he has done such a great job.
Only problem is any decent coach wouldn't put up with Marc's interfering and not having any input.
Marc needs to learn from this season and have people who he will listen to and not be so stubborn.
I agree Gary. I think he may also need to adjust his management style if he is going to attract good young players to the squad. Some younger players need their confidence boosting, not being openly criticised in interviews.
At least we travel to Wealdstone in hope I suppose.
I have a nagging feeling that our lousy goal difference is going to cost us in the end.
I fear we won't get enough points for it to make a difference.
@crawleysth Not beating Altrincham at home sent us down. We've run out of games at this point.
Kidderminster now confirmed as down as well which helps us out by having one less South team go down.
The last relegation spot is now really interesting due to Boreham Wood and Wealdstone both winning yesterday. Eastleigh are now mathematically safe but any of the teams below them could still be caught, including Fylde and Dagenham. What makes it even better is that Boreham Wood and Ebbsfleet play eachother on the final day with both of them having a midweek fixture beforehand.
Fixtures:
Tuesday 16th:
Rochdale v Boreham Wood
Halifax v Ebbsfleet
Wealdstone v Eastleigh
Saturday 20th:
Oldham v Wealdstone
Woking v Fylde
Dagenham v Aldershot
Solihull v York
Boreham Wood v Ebbsfleet
Realistically, I don't think Fylde or Dagenham will go down as it would require massive goal difference swings against the likes of Ebbsfleet.
If Boreham Wood and Ebbsfleet both get wins midweek then it leaves York and Woking in really precarious positions. York are away at a dangerous Solihull side who could well be playing for a playoff position depending on how the Gateshead and Halifax games go earlier in the week. Wealdstone still in the mix as well if they lose their midweek game as their goal difference would be similar to Boreham Wood, Ebbsfleet and York.
Personally, I can see Boreham Wood and Ebbsfleet both dropping points in the midweek games and then it will be a straight shootout for who goes down between them on the final day.
Obviously we would rather York go down as that means Oxford likely end up in the NLS instead but assuming it is either Ebbsfleet or Boreham Wood, who would we rather join us in the NLS out of the two?
Neither to be honest Both would probably be favourites above us to win League
I’d rather go to Ebbsfleet than Boreham Wood. Decent set up there, especially on a Saturday. The F&b offerings there a good model for us.
I'm not sure Ebbsfleet or Borehamwood would be favourites above us, but it would probably be close.
Whilst fun, and giving us a big derby day, Woking coming down would definitely not be good for us, as they would surely be close favourites to bounce straight back.
I’d rather go to Ebbsfleet than Boreham Wood. Decent set up there, especially on a Saturday. The F&b offerings there a good model for us.
Boreham Wood much better away day than Ebbsfleet
- Closer free on street parking
- A big McDonalds and a Wetherspoons a short walk away
- Covered seating with almost a halfwayline view of the game
Ebbsfleet -
limited free on street parking a fair walk away (need to do your research to find it)
A fried chicken shop and a disgusting cafe within walking distance only
Open terrace unless you are elderly/disabled, then you can go in a stand with numerous pillars
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
I know that Ebbsfleet and Woking owners throw a ton of money at the club so I would expect both of those clubs to spend their way back to the NL.
Would Boreham Wood still get the same investment in the NLS considering their fan base is nowhere near the size of Ebbsfleet/Woking, etc?
Oxford would be the ideal team (if York or Fylde go down) or even Wealdstone.
Borehamwood is owned by Danny Hunter, he was grafted that club up the divisions and transformed the ground into a 1st class non league ground (Arsenal Women doing a 10 year deal to play there helped). He won't be content staying down if they go down.
"Why would I leave to join a League Two club? We're going there anyway!" - Marc White
