National League South Preview

By Mark Stillman

Joint leaders Farnborough host Dorking Wanderers, knowing a win will take them back to the summit of National League South.

Farnborough v Dorking Wanderers

Boro’ are unbeaten in their last seven league games but have been held to two disappointing draws in the last few weeks – 1-1 with nine man Truro City and the same score at struggling Weymouth.

They’ve conceded one in each of their last four but four clean sheets at home is a joint National League South high with Tonbridge Angels and Hornchurch.

They’re also the only side to not drop a point after the interval. Five times they’ve headed into half-time ahead, winning all of them.

Dorking would be second if games ended at half-time. In reality they’re outside the play-off places on goal difference, but only five points behind league leaders Weston-super-Mare, who are in FA Cup action.

Scoring hasn’t been a problem for Marc White’s men – only Torquay United and Tonbridge have prevented them netting in the league. They’ve scored at least two in four of their last five and defeated Welling United last Saturday.

The Wands have only recorded 26% of their goals away from home, a league low. They’re also yet to keep a clean sheet on the road and haven’t since a 0-0 at Kidderminster in February in the National League.

It’s not a game to arrive at late – there have been 10 goals witnessed in the first 15 minutes of Farnborough’s games while Dorking have notched six in the opening quarter hour – a league high.

Saturday’s fixtures (all games KO 3pm):
Aveley v Weymouth
Farnborough v Dorking Wanderers
Hemel Hempstead Town v Eastbourne Borough
Slough Town v Truro City
Torquay United v Chelmsford City
Welling United v Chippenham Town

Read up on all the weekend’s National League South matches in Sunday’s NLP!