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Steve Harris – @steveharris84

MATCH DETAILS

Match details: Dorking Wanderers vs Torquay United – National League South

Venue: Meadowbank Football Ground

Date: Saturday 15th March 2025

Kick-off: 3pm

HEAD TO HEAD

Torquay: 1

Draw: 1

Dorking: 1

RECENT FORM (LAST 6)

Torquay – W2 – D3 – L1

L 2-3 Chelmsford A

D 1-1 Weston SM A

D 2-2 Boreham H

W 3-1 Chippenham A

W 1-0 Tonbridge A

D 2-2 Salisbury H

Dorking – W3 – D3 – L0

W 1-0 Tonbridge Angels H

W 1-0 Welling United A

D 2-2 Farnborough H

W Enfield Town A

D 2-2 Chelmsford City H

D 1-1 Maidstone United A

TOP SCORERS

Torquay: Cody Cooke (13)

Dorking: Alfie Rutherford (17)

DORKING FACT FILE

Year founded: 1999

Nickname: Wanderers

Last season’s league finish: 2nd in National League South (promoted through the Play-offs)

Notable honours:

National League South:

Play-off winners: 2021-22

Isthmian League:

Premier Division champions: 2018-19

THE MANAGER – MARC WHITE

After founding the club with a group of mates in the Crawley and District League in 1999, Marc White’s journey with Dorking Wanderers has been nothing short of astonishing since. Under White’s guidance, Wanderers switched to the West Sussex League which they enjoyed a meteoric rise through before eventually reaching the Isthmian League Premier Division, which they won in the 2018-19 campaign to earn promotion to National League South.

Two years later, they reached the National League after defeating Ebbsfleet United to win the National League South Play-offs. The Wanderers since retained their National League status for two years prior to their first ever relegation last season and are looking to bounce back at the first attempt.

PLAYER TO WATCH – CHARLIE CARTER

Central midfielder Charlie Carter initially began his footballing journey began at Fulham’s academy before he moved on to Woking. After coming through the Cardinals academy he signed a professional deal with Woking ahead of the 2016-17 season. The subsequent 2017-18 campaign, proved to be the breakout year for Carter, as he finished the season club top scorer and earned himself a move to Chesterfield before progressing into the Football League with Stevenage.

After three seasons at the Lamex Stadium, Carter enjoyed a consistent season in front of goal in the 2022-23 campaign with Eastleigh and finished the season with double figures. Carter then returned to his native Surrey to sign for Wanderers in October 2023.

CARTER STATS – Position: Midfield – Date of Birth: 25/10/96 – Height: 1.85m – Former Clubs: Woking, Chipstead, Chesterfield, Stevenage, Eastleigh – 24/25 NLS Stats: Appearances 31, Goals 10, Yellow/Red Cards 2/0

OLD BOYS

Torquay: None

Dorking: Rhys Murphy

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Torquay United (4-2-3-1): James Hamon; Matt Carson, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Jordan Thomas; Will Jenkins Davies, Dan Hayfield; Lirak Hasani, Jordan Young, Matt Jay; Offrande Zanzala

Dorking Wanderers (3-5-2): Harrison Foulkes; Josh Brooking, Tony Craig, Rob Millsom; Jimmy Muitt, Dan Gallagher, Jack Young, Charlie Carter, Jordan Norville-Williams; Alfie Rutherford, Jason Prior

LAST MEETING

Last meeting: Saturday 24th August 2024, Torquay United 1 Dorking Wanderers 0

A second half strike from Lirak Hasani – his first since joining in the summer from Gateshead – proved to be the difference for Torquay United as they overcame a strong Dorking Wanderers side. The opening exchanges saw the visitors dominate the proceedings in terms of possession without creating any clear cut chances.

However, the first real opportunity of the game fell to the Gulls in the 15th minute after Ed Palmer made a bursting run before teeing up Dan Hayfield for a shot that he blasted wide. Two minutes later, a cross from Jimmy Muitt found Wanderers’ skipper Charlie Carter who fired a tame shot straight at United keeper James Hamon. United came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 39th minute when Hasani nodded a cross from Jay Foulston wide.

Three minutes later, a corner from Hasani picked out Sam Dreyer, who saw his header parried behind by Dorking keeper Harrison Foulkes. From the second flag kick, also from Hasani, Palmer had a header blocked on the line by Luke Moore. Moments later, Palmer attempted a long range effort from 30 yards which narrowly dipped over.

In the second half, Ben Seymour looked well placed to find the target on 52 minutes, but Foulkes rushed off his line to deny him before recovering to prevent Brad Ash from the rebound. Three minutes later, Hasani broke the deadlock for the Gulls with a left footed strike from 20 yards after being teed up by Hayfield.

In the final ten minutes, Dorking went close through Carter and sub Matt Briggs before Barry Fuller missed the target right on the final whistle, as United held on to clinch all three points.