Match Details
Fixture: Dorking Wanderers vs Chatham Town Competition: Emirates FA Cup – Third Round Qualifying Date: Saturday 3 October 2026 Kick-off: 15:00 Venue: Meadowbank Stadium, Mill Lane, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1DX
The Preview
Your Wanderers return to Emirates FA Cup action this weekend as Chatham Town visit Meadowbank Stadium for a Third Round Qualifying tie.
The Wanderers enter the game in strong recent form, having gone eight matches unbeaten since their 3-2 home defeat to Maidstone United on 22 August. That run has included victories over Southall in the FA Cup replay and, most recently, a dramatic 4-3 league victory over Braintree Town.
The FA Cup has already provided plenty of drama for Marc White’s side this season. After drawing 2-2 at Southall, the Wanderers progressed with a 5-4 extra-time victory at Meadowbank, setting up another home tie against a Chatham side that have navigated two qualifying rounds to reach this stage.
With a place in the Fourth Round Qualifying draw at stake, there is plenty to play for at Meadowbank.
The Opposition
Chatham Town, known as The Chats, were established in 1882 and currently compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They are managed by Kevin Hake, who has overseen the club’s rise through the non-league pyramid and was named Isthmian Premier Division Manager of the Season in 2023/24.
The Chats finished fourth in the Isthmian Premier Division last season, collecting 79 points from 42 league matches, before losing 3-2 to Billericay Town in the play-off semi-final. They also enjoyed an impressive cup campaign, reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Cup and the fifth round of the FA Trophy.
Chatham made several additions during the summer as they looked to build on that campaign. Among their arrivals were striker Jimmy Wild, signed from Chichester City, and experienced left-back Ben Coker, who joined from Ebbsfleet United. Wild has already scored three league goals this season.
The Chats’ early-season league campaign has been a mixed bag, with four wins and four defeats from their opening eight matches. They currently sit 12th in the Isthmian Premier Division on 12 points, with 16 goals scored and 13 conceded.
The Current Picture
Dorking currently sit eighth in the National League South, with four wins, four draws and two defeats from their opening ten league matches. They have scored 22 goals and conceded 16.
The Wanderers’ latest outing produced another high-scoring contest at Meadowbank. George Nikaj and Alfie Rutherford put Dorking two goals ahead against Braintree before the visitors levelled before half-time. Braintree then moved 3-2 ahead, but Dawid Rogalski struck twice in the second half to secure a 4-3 victory.
That result followed the 5-4 extra-time FA Cup victory over Southall and extended Dorking’s unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions.
Chatham’s most recent competitive fixture ended in disappointment as they were beaten 3-1 by Berkhamsted in the FA Trophy on 26 September. Their last league game was a 2-1 defeat to Eastbourne on 15 September, while their FA Cup run has included a 4-0 win at Egham Town and a 1-0 victory at Slough.
The contrast makes Saturday an interesting cup encounter: Dorking arrive with considerable momentum, while Chatham have already demonstrated their ability to win away from home in this season’s FA Cup.
Players to Watch
Jimmy Wild – Chatham Town
Wild is one of Chatham’s principal attacking threats. The forward arrived from Chichester City during the summer after an injury-hit 2025/26 campaign, having previously scored 29 goals in 41 appearances during the 2024/25 season, winning the Isthmian Premier Division Golden Boot, with 23 league goals. He has three league goals from nine appearances so far this season.
Brad Stevenson – Chatham Town
Stevenson has had a positive impact in the Chats’ league campaign, providing a creative spark from midfield. Chatham’s ability to create chances from midfield will be an important test for the Wanderers’ defence.
Previous Meetings
The most recent meeting between the clubs came during pre-season in July, when Chatham recorded a 1-0 victory at Meadowbank. The match was closely contested and decided by a second-half goal.
The competitive head-to-head record stretches back to the clubs’ days in the Isthmian South. Their four recorded league meetings between 2016 and 2017 produced two Dorking victories, one Chatham victory and one draw. The last competitive meeting was a 3-0 Dorking victory at Chatham in February 2017.
Saturday therefore represents the first competitive meeting between the clubs for almost a decade.
The Tactical View
The Wanderers have scored 22 times in 10 National League South matches and have also found the net regularly during their FA Cup run. Their recent matches have been particularly open, with the 2-2 draw at Southall followed by a 5-4 victory in the replay and then the 4-3 win over Braintree.
Chatham, meanwhile, have already won away at both Egham Town and Slough in this season’s FA Cup. Keeping the visitors from turning transitions into scoring chances will be important, while Dorking will look to use their attacking movement and home advantage to put pressure on the Chats’ defence.
Medical Update
Read the latest news from the medical team and the current Wanderers injury list:
Medical Update | 30/09/26 (Dorking Wanderers FC)
Matchday Information
Home Fixture: Tickets
Dorking Wanderers vs Chatham Town – Match Tickets
• Adult: £15
• Concession: £12
• Under-18: £5
• Under-8: £2
• Turnstile opening time: 13:00
• Season tickets: Season tickets do not apply to this fixture, although season-ticket seats will be reserved. (dwfc.ticketco.events)
Food, Drink & Entertainment
Supporters can expect the usual Meadowbank matchday food and drink options, whilst also some post match entertainment in the Lounge.
• £4.50 pints from 13:00-14:00 for BUD and Stella Artois
• Burgers
• Hot dogs
• Vegetarian pies
• Chicken strips
• Fanzone Bar
• Covered Bank Bar, including family seating
• England vs Croatia is being streamed from 17:00 in the Lounge
Club Shop and Merchandise
Supporters can browse the official online shop, including the 2026/27 home and alternative shirts and other Wanderers merchandise.
Featured 2026/27 products include:
• 26/27 Adult Home Shirt – £55
• 26/27 Adult Alternate Black Shirt – £55
• 26/27 Adult Alternate Orange Shirt – £55
• 26/27 Pink Goalkeeper Shirt – £55
• DWFC x Fresh Ego Kid leisurewear and accessories (shop.dwfc.co.uk)
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Final Matchday Reminder
FA Cup football returns to Meadowbank on Saturday as the Wanderers welcome Chatham Town.
Secure your ticket, arrive early, enjoy the matchday facilities and get behind Marc White’s side as the Wanderers look to continue their FA Cup journey!