Official Match Thread Dorking Wanderers v Southend United

[The Big Dady]

The Official Match Thread brought to you by ShrimperZone.com

So here we all are, our ninetieth away game in the Vanarama National League of the 2022/23 season. This is the Dream Team’s 35th away game since they were appointed Mighty Shrimpers.

Our 19th away match is against Dorking Wanderers




It is now time for ALL of us to get behind Kevin, Darren, Mark and the team whether you are at Meadow Park, listening on the radio, or listening on Blues TV, or on National League TV.

The Dream Team’s Southend United Vanarama National League Away Team against Dorking Wanderers



Meadowbank is ready for action at 19.45 hrs Tuesday 28th March 2023. It looks like we will have thick cloud with a gentle breeze for the game, with an expected temperature of 8°C, but feel like 6°C.



The weather forecast for this afternoon’s at Meadowbank


Current National League away record after 18 away games

Won 6
Drawn 4
Lost 8
Goals scored 18
Goals conceded 22

League Positions Last Season

13th (2021/22) Vanarama National League Southend United
2nd (2021/22) Vanarama National League South Dorking Wanderers (Promoted)

League Positions Current Season

12th (2022/23) Vanarama National League Southend United
19th (2022/23) Vanarama National League Dorking Wanderers

Recent League Positions Change



Previous Meetings

We have only ever played Dorking Wanderers twice before

Southend United 2-0 Dorking Wanderers (Vanarama National League 12/11/22 Att. 6,400)
Southend United 2-1 Dorking Wanderers (FA Trophy 18/12/21 Att. Covid)

Head to Head record

Southend United Wins: 2
Draws: 0
Dorking Wanderers Wins 0

Current Form

Southend United L L L L L L
Dorking Wanderers L D W L L W

Current Form Table (Last 6 Games)



Come On You Yellows!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Managers Pre-match Views​

Dorking Wanderers

Dorking Wanderers Manager Marc White did a youtube interview before the visit of Southend United

Dorking Wanderers Manager Marc White

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Southend United

Kevin Maher speaks to Southend United OS looking ahead of this evening’s game against Dorking Wanderers

Southend United’s head coach Kevin Maher​

Kevin Maher was in an honest mood in Monday afternoon’s pre-match press conference as he assessed how his Blues side can get some points on the board, starting with Dorking Wanderers away tomorrow.

The weekend defeat at Altrincham was our sixth in a row, but all six have been by a solitary goal and this one was arguably the toughest to take of them all, with Maher’s men dominating much of the contest.

On that 1-0 reverse, Maher said: “It was bitterly disappointing to lose a game which we felt we did well enough to get something from. It’s another close one that’s gone against us, and we know we’ve got to do better than that. They haven’t had a shot on target apart from the penalty and we’ve had two great, great chances.”

Such is the nature of the Vanarama National League, Blues are in action again on Tuesday with a chance to put it right. Maher says he’s spoken to his players about what he needs from them.

“We’re lucky we’ve got a game so close to go again, rather than thinking about it all week. We can focus on Tuesday night now and give everything we’ve got. Hopefully we can get a bit more quality at the right time and get a result.”

“We had a good chat this morning. It’s fine margins in football, and they’re going against us at the minute. We’ve got to take that responsibility because we shouldn’t have lost the games that we’ve lost.

“We’ve got to be brave and everyone’s got to be at it and pull together. When you lose games, the confidence and spirit takes a hit but it’s about everyone in the building being on the page.”

Bad luck has been used as a reason for some of the recent defeats, but Maher is determined to get away from that, and also quashed claims that tiredness is to blame.

“When you look at the performances, there are positives there, but it’s the stage of the season where we need results.

“One or two things have gone against us, but it’s not just luck so we’ve got to keep working hard to change that. We have changed formation in games quite a bit, and we’ll do whatever we need to win games.

“I don’t want to use fatigue as an excuse because everyone has to play the same amount of games. We haven’t got time to be tired, you can rest in the summer. We’ve got to go full throttle.”

He’s keen to give the fans something to cheer, and issued a reminder of a recent win where the connection between players and supporters was as evident as ever.

“I find it very frustrating because we want to do well for everyone. I can see the fans are desperate for it as well and that’s maybe a consequence of where we’re at.

"It’s not too long since we were away at Torquay with the scenes there, and we’ll remind the players of that. That’s what’ll happen if we can give the fans something. We want to turn the corner one step at a time starting with tomorrow night.”

The opponents on Tuesday are Dorking Wanderers, who picked up a crucial win on Saturday in the fight to avoid relegation. On Marc White’s men, Maher said: “It’s a big test. They’ve got a bit of experience; they’ve brought in Tony Craig, someone who I know very well, and his leadership qualities are going to be big for them.

“They’re a good side and the [artificial] pitch is something that we’ve got to contend with. I think it’ll be a good game.”

We’ve sold 550 tickets for the game at Meadowbank. Get yours here.

Link to interview
Link

Kevin Maher speaks to Chris Phillips at The Echo ahead of this evening’s game against Dorking Wanderers

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Southend United boss Kevin Maher expects Dorking Wanderers to provide a stern test at Meadowbank.

Dorking sit 19th in the National League standings, two places and three points above the relegation zone.

But Maher believes Marc White’s side will be difficult to beat.

“It’s a big, big test,” said the Blues boss.

“They’ve brought in some good experienced players.

“They’ve got Tony Craig now who I know very well and his leadership qualities will be big for them.

“They’re a good side and it’s always a big test playing them.

“They cause teams problems and, like I said when we played them at our place, it’s one of the biggest tests we could face.

“It’s the same going to their place but we’ll look to get a team out to hopefully pose them problems as much as they think they will to us.

“I think it will be a good game.”

Dorking - who were formed in 1999 - are currently enjoying their first ever season in the National League having won 12 promotions to go from the 17th tier of the game to the fifth.

Wanderers are unbeaten in their last four home games and beat Maidenhead United 3-1 on Saturday.

But Maher is solely focused on ending the Shrimpers’ poor form which saw has seen lose six matches in succession.

“We were bitterly disappointed to lose at Altrincham on Saturday in a game we felt like we did well enough to get something from,” said Maher.

“But it’s another close one that’s gone against us and we know we need to do better than that and get results.

“There’s no hiding away from that fact.”

But Maher is pleased to already be getting back in action.

“It’s good we’ve got another game so quickly rather than having the whole week to think about it,” said the Blues boss.

“We’ll be prepared and will be ready to go again.

“We’ll give everything we’ve got to try and get a result.”

And, in a further bid to stop the rot, the Shrimpers squad also held talks at the training ground yesterday.

“We had a good chat,” said Maher.

“It’s fine margins in football and things are going against us at the minute, we know that.

“We’ll take that responsibility ourselves because you shouldn’t lose the games we’ve lost and we’ve got to be brave.

“We’ve got to be bright and all pull together which they are doing.

“The team spirit is brilliant but the confidence does take a hit when you lose games.

“It’s about everyone being on the same page and pulling together.”

Link to interview
Link

Kevin Maher speaks to Chris Phillips at The Echo about team news ahead of this evening’s game against Dorking Wanderers

Missing out – Noor Husin (left) is still injured but it remains to be seen if Jake Hyde and Chris Wreh will feature​

Southend United will again be missing midfielder Noor Husin at Dorking Wanderers.

Husin has been ruled out of the last two matches with the ankle injury he suffered at Boreham Wood in mid-March.

And Blues boss Kevin Maher will not be able to call upon Husin on Tuesday night.

“Noor is still out,” said Maher.

“He hasn’t been able to train yet.”

However, striker Chris Wreh - who Maher opted not to include in the matchday squad at Altrincham at the weekend - did train on Monday as he continues to work his way back from knee problems.

“Chris trained,” said Maher.

“He’s OK but he’s really sore at times.

“Hopefully he will be OK.”

However, Maher must also consider that tomorrow's clash at Meadowbank will be played on an artificial pitch.

Speaking earlier on in the season, on loan Blues striker Jake Hyde admitted he was unable to play on 3G pitches due to the toll it took on his body.

But Maher was not willing to give to much away when asked if Hyde would be free to feature against Dorking.

“We will look at who is available and who isn’t,” said Maher.

“It does take its toll on some people more than others.”

Tuesday night's game will also be the Shrimpers’ 14th match in 52 days.

But Maher will not let that become an issue.

“I won’t use it as an excuse because everyone has to play the same amount of games,” said Maher.

“We’ve got the players we’ve got and they’re a great group.

“We haven’t got time to be tired, we can rest in the summer.

“We need to go full throttle to get the win.”

Link to interview
Link

Big Preview

Dorking Wanderers v Southend United​

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Overview​

A first ever away match against Dorking Wanderers presents a chance to return to winning ways after a disappointing defeat at the weekend.

Regan Linney’s late penalty gave Altrincham all three points and saw Blues drop down to 12th in the Vanarama National League.

It’s still very tight above us in the table, with all four sides from 8th to 11th on 55 points. That means a couple of wins could see Kevin Maher’s side back in the mix, with another away game to come at the weekend at Yeovil Town.

This is a rearranged game from six weeks ago. It was originally meant to be live on BT Sport, but was postponed due to both clubs’ involvement in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

Although it is no longer televised, you can stream the match on National League TV! Click HERE to do so.

The opposition​

Dorking have won three of their last four at home to keep themselves above water, although they are still just three points above the drop zone.

Marc White’s men continued their seismic rise last season by winning the National League South play-offs, so survival this season would be an achievement. White has said he wants to keep Wanderers up so the club can push for the play-offs next term.

A difficult start to 2023 saw the Surrey outfit drop from mid-table security into the relegation battle. It took until the 21st of February for their first win of the year, which came against Torquay United.

Since then they have also beaten Barnet and Maidenhead, but they have only won twice away from home all season, most recently all the way back in September. That’s what’s holding them back from being able to move fully away from the bottom four.

There is real experience in Dorking’s squad, namely in defensive trio Tony Craig, George Francomb and Barry Fuller, while striker Jason Prior recently returned to the club from Havant & Waterlooville and scored a brace at the weekend.

Previous meetings

Blues have won both of the two clubs’ meetings to date. In the FA Trophy last season, Collin Andeng Ndi saved a penalty to help us to a 2-1 win.

Back in November, goals from Jack Bridge and Shaun Hobson were enough for a 2-0 victory that saw us make it 11 league games unbeaten.

From the boss

Speaking to the press on Monday, Head Coach Maher said: “We’re lucky we’ve got a game so close to go again, rather than thinking about [Saturday] all week.

“We can focus on Tuesday night now and give everything we’ve got. Hopefully we can get a bit more quality at the right time and get a result.

“We had a good chat [Monday] morning. It’s fine margins in football, and they’re going against us at the minute. We’ve got to take that responsibility because we shouldn’t have lost the games that we’ve lost.

“We’ve got to be brave and everyone’s got to be at it and pull together. When you lose games, the confidence and spirit takes a hit but it’s about everyone in the building being on the same page.

“When you look at the performances, there are positives there, but it’s the stage of the season where we need results.”

Blues team news​

Noor Husin remains out with an ankle issue. Chris Wreh has returned to training and is back in contention.

Ref watch​

Scott Tallis takes charge of his fifth Blues game this evening. He has previously been in charge for matches against Chesterfield, Maidenhead, Boreham Wood and Wealdstone. The latter two games were both wins.

This season, he has refereed 12 National League games and has shown 45 yellow cards and two reds. Tallis’ assistants are Conall Bartlett and David Nicholson, and the fourth official is George Warren.

Tickets​

Tickets can be purchased on the hosts’ ticketing site here.

Blues have been allocated 1,854 tickets at the west side of the ground, which includes a new uncovered terrace. As at 1pm on Monday 27th March, we had sold 554 tickets.

Tickets are priced at:

Adults £16
Concessions (60+, students) £13
Under-18s £8
Under-8s £4
Family of 4 (two adults, two children U12) £35

Elsewhere in the National League​

It’s a busy Tuesday in the Vanarama National League, with nine games in all. Notts County will go back to the top of the league if they beat Altrincham, but they would have played two more games than Wrexham.

Boreham Wood host Torquay in an important game at both ends, while a point for Gateshead against Dagenham & Redbridge would see Yeovil Town drop into the relegation zone.

Altrincham v Notts County
Boreham Wood v Torquay United
FC Halifax Town v Aldershot Town
Gateshead v Dagenham & Redbridge
Maidstone United v Bromley
Wealdstone v Oldham Athletic
Woking v Barnet
York City v Scunthorpe United

How to follow​

Blues fans unable to attend Meadowbank can tune into National League TV streaming wherever you are in the world! Go to this link to register and select the Tuesday 28 March Matchday Pass here.

You can also subscribe to Blues TV where you’ll get live match commentary from the BBC Essex team from all first-team matches this season.

Blues TV costs £4.49 per month, with your subscription not only giving you match commentary, but also exclusive access to extended match highlights, full pre-match press conferences, interviews, features and more.

Another option is to follow live minute-by-minute updates on social media via the club’s official Twitter account @SUFCRootsHall, which will ensure you get all the latest news and more throughout the 2022/23 season.

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Last Meeting

Come On You Yellows!​

 

[The Big Dady]

Dorking Wanderers Team

 

[The Big Dady]

Four changes from Saturday
Arnold out with illness
Lomas starts at the back
Mooney into the attack

Steve Arnold is ill and is replaced by Collin Andeng Ndi. The other changes see Louis Lomas, Jason Demetriou and Dan Mooney come in for Gus Scott-Morriss, Wes Fonguck and Rhys Murphy.

Murphy isn’t on the bench, nor is Jake Hyde. The full XI is Andeng Ndi, Nathan Ralph, Ollie Kensdale, Shaun Hobson, Lomas, Demetriou, Harry Taylor, Cav Miley, Mooney, Harry Cardwell and Jack Bridge.

Jon Benton and Henry Sandat both come into the squad. Also on the bench are Scott-Morriss, Callum Powell and Fonguck.

 

[lreed567]

Looks as tho the same formation then, with Mooney up top with cards, agree with giving Gus a rest as is needed, would of preferred sandat and cards personally, but we will see

 

[lreed567]

And very defensive side

 

[crangoner]

Collin in goal, clean sheet incoming.

 

[Holy Joe]

5 - 4 - 1?

 

[davewebbsbrain]

And very defensive side

Possibly 343 with Mooney and Bridge in a front 3 with Cardwell. Hardly defensive

 

[davewebbsbrain]

5 - 4 - 1?

343 i reckon like we played early in the season. Mooney, Bridge and Cardwell up top

 

[SHRIMPERPETER]

352 i reckon like we played early in the season. Mooney, Bridge and Cardwell up top

Wouldn't that be 3-4-3?

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Wouldn't that be 3-4-3?

Yeah, no idea what i was thinking. Or 523

 

[damien]

3 4 3 bridge and mooney either side of cardwell?

 

[Shrimpet steve]

No excuses tonight! Can't blame lopata,can't blame Ron! We have more then enough quality to be beating dorkin wanderers.Down to the players and kev.

 

[Harry Bullocks]

Four changes from Saturday
Arnold out with illness
Lomas starts at the back
Mooney into the attack

Nice one Big Dady

 

[lreed567]

Possibly 343 with Mooney and Bridge in a front 3 with Cardwell. Hardly defensive

You could look at it that way, or we only have 3 attack minded players starting?
If it is that, just hope Mooney and bridge support cardwell enough. Am not on a kev bash, by the way

 

[Harry Bullocks]

A fair smattering of Shrimpers this evening

 

[Rob1920]

I have got so much respect for those fans who keep going away from home regardless of how bad we’ve been. I’d question your sanity but proud of you all the same.

 

[Kris]

3 4 3 bridge and mooney either side of cardwell?

Looks that way. Pleasant surprise as I suggested this recently but didn't think it would happen. Dorking are an attractive side going forward but vulnerable defensively so it might be that releasing Mooney and Bridge further forward could be a counter-attack tactic.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

OTS when you can please BIg Daddy.