The conclusion of our two-year National League tenure comes at 12:15pm this Saturday, where the Wanderers boss Marc White has called for a ‘carnival-like’ atmosphere.
“Only Dorking Wanderers could celebrate that last game like it’s a promotion”, stated White, following our 1-1 draw at Rochdale last Saturday, where Charlie Carter’s seventh goal of the season was quickly responded by a thumping Devante Rodney effort ten minutes into the second half.
A third draw in four games officially confirmed our relegation from the National League. A jubilant White has spoken with a notable positivity and assertiveness around the situation, speaking in detail about plans on and off the field which will aim to return us to the fifth tier.
“I see an appeitite for more success, I see me on the phone since half four this morning, I see myself planning how many points we can win next years league by, I see us building an infrastructure which can support the high level of football we want to be at.”
Looking ahead to Saturday, we face a 14th placed Hartlepool side who have just one win from their last four, demonstrating some typical mid-table end of season form. Their most recent outing came against Dagenham and Redbridge, where the two sides played out a 1-1 draw, Joe Grey netting his 12th goal of the season on the hour mark to draw The Pools level.
Kevin Phillips’ side are without a win on the road since early February, a winless run stretching over six games. The Wanderers will be hoping to make it seven this Saturday, and record a first win since early March over Champions Chesterfield.
Following the match, Marc will deliver a speech to the fans from the pitch, before a presentation will commence.
Opposition Focus – The Pools
The Pools are set to travel in numbers on Saturday, with a large amount of away tickets already sold. Despite there being a lack of incentive for either side, both managers will be hoping that their respective teams finish on a high.
Speaking before his side’s trip to Surrey, Phillips stated “we’re not going down there with our flip flops on. It could potentially turn into a bit of a battle.”
“We want it to be a party-carnival atmosphere, but the players can’t be in that mindset”
Manny Dieseruvwe is Pools’ top scorer this campaign with 21 goals, sitting in fifth place of the National League top scorers list.
Possible line-up: Jameson, Stephenson, Parkes, Waterfall, Ferguson, Featherstone, Crawford, Grey, Cooke, Agyemang, Dieseruvwe
Last Time We Met
We faced The Pools back in September last year, where a 0-2 win on the road gave us back to back wins for the first time of the season.
Jason Prior nodded home George Francomb’s cross on the hour mark to break the deadlock of a tight affair. In the latter stages, Tom Blair continued his good form in front of goal with a fine solo effort in front of the Wanderers faithful.