After squeezing into the third round of the FA Trophy, it’s back to the nitty gritty of league action tomorrow when we travel to Dorking Wanderers under no illusions about the strength of the opposition.
While there have been definite signs of improvement in our recent fixtures despite being rooted to the foot of the table, Dorking represent a formidable challenge having played back-to-back seasons at Step 1 before being relegated back to National League South last April ahead of the current campaign.
Beaten only once at home in the league, Dorking, celebrating their 25th anniversary, are once again genuine promotion candidates and Gavin Macpherson has nothing but praise for how they have steadily climbed up the non-league pyramid in such a short space of time.
“You have to acknowledge that they have done an unbelievable job under Mark White,” said Gav. “To come from where they were and be at Step 1 for a couple of seasons is incredible. Of course you need to be well-financed to achieve what they have but that doesn’t guarantee success. It’s a massive story, in some ways not too dissimilar to ours, and you have to take your hat off to them. I fancied them at the start of the season as one of those who could win the league given the calibre of player they have. We’ve got a hell of a task on our hands.”
With both Dan Cox and Alfie Tuck available again after international duty with Wales under-19 and two or three of our injured players undergoing light training on Thursday, Gavin is hoping for a competitive squad to choose from in front of what is likely to be a four-figure crowd.
“We’ve had to make changes, everyone knows that, and are still one or two players short which I’m working tirelessly to address. But I have a team around me who are fighting like mad.”
“I’m realistic about where we are and what we need to put right. But I don’t like losing football matches and I certainly feel I have enough experience around me that when we get the balance right, we’ve got more than a fighting chance.”
AW
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