
Wealdstone will look to make it three league wins in a row in the National League South when the Stones travel to Meadowbank to face Dorking Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
The Stones will have personnel missing for this fixture though injuries and suspensions, including top scorer Ross Lafayette and October Player of the Month Billy Clifford.
Wealdstone Manager Dean Brennan on Saturday's game: “It’s a good opportunity for the lads that haven’t played as regularly as they would have wanted, let’s see if they can step up to the plate.”
The league leaders are seven points clear but will be without notable players going into the weekend such as midfielder Michael Phillips and winger Jacob Mendy.
Lafayette (calf strain) and Phillips (hip flexor strain) will both be side-lined for at least two weeks, while Clifford and Mendy are both suspended.
Brennan on the upcoming test for his squad: “We’ll have a young side this weekend so it’s a really good test for our squad, we’ll see how strong our squad is and what depth we’ve got.”
Dorking Wanderers have made a strong start to life in the National League South following promotion from the Isthmian Premier last season, Marc White’s men currently house sixth place.
The Wanderers have hit a bad patch of form which they will look to resolve after losing their last two games, but they have only lost two home games all season so far.
Most notably about Marc White’s side is their lack of goals conceded at Meadowbank, only six goals have been scored by away sides in the eight games hosted in Surrey this season.
Brennan on Dorking Wanderers: “They’ve lost the last two games but they will definitely be a wounded animal, so I’m expecting a super-tough game when we go down there.”
The Wanderers have significantly better form on home turf, but Brennan’s Stones have been consistent away as they have been at home with six consecutive victories on their travels in the National League South.
Brennan has described Dorking this week as a “free-spirited side” and playing on Meadowbank’s 4G pitch will make “a big difference” on the day.
“I am looking forward to going there, I’ve never managed against Dorking before so we’re looking forward to the game and how the lads in the team take their opportunity.”
In other team news, left-backs Ryan Sellers and George McLennan are still recovering from long-term injuries alongside midfielder Kavan Cotter and won’t be available this weekend.
Stones forward Reece Beckles-Richards has been recalled from his loan with Oxford City this week following injury to Lafayette and will be available for this fixture.
An on-the-whistle report will be available on the official Wealdstone FC website at full-time on Saturday; you can follow live updates on the official Stones Twitter feed from 3pm.
Preview by Dec O'Reilly
Full quotes from Dean Brennan HERE
The following is a piece from The National League’s official betting partner, LV BET:
The Stats
• Dorking have lost two matches back-to-back for the first time this season.
• Leaders Wealdstone remain seven points clear and have scored an average of nearly 2.5 goals a game.
• Despite defeat to Oxford City on Tuesday, Dorking have won three of their last four at home.
• Dean Brennan’s Stones have won their last six matches away from home.
The Odds
6/5 Over 1.5 goals in the first half of Dorking v Wealdstone.
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