Dorking Wanderers v Chelmsford City, National League South, Meadowbank Stadium, Saturday 8th March 2025, 3:00pm kick-off.
Robbie Simpson’s Chelmsford City squad make their way to Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday to face league leaders Dorking Wanderers.
The Clarets face a difficult test this weekend as they look to arrest their recent run of back-to-back defeats after narrowly coming away empty-handed against Boreham Wood and Worthing in their last two fixtures.
Dorking are enjoying an extended unbeaten streak of nine games, stretching back to mid-January, and will hope to keep up their strong form and formidable record against City this weekend.
Here’s all that Clarets supporters need to know ahead of the game…
Team and match stats:
- Marc White’s side have netted 72 league goals this season and are the division’s top goalscorers.
- Wanderers have picked up more away points than home points this season (36 away versus 33 at home).
- Dorking have collected 20 points in their last eight games—the best return in the league during that period.
- City have never beaten Marc White’s men in a competitive game (P6, D2, L4).
Relive when Clarets manager Robbie Simpson got mic’d up during our last visit to Meadowbank Stadium, which took place in February 2022.
Opposition:
Wanderers’ recent form has left them in a strong position to secure an immediate return to the National League. White’s side enjoyed a two-year spell in the fifth tier of English football; however, this was brought to an end last season after their relegation in 2023-24.
The 2024-25 season has proved to be a more fruitful campaign, and the Surrey-based side’s free-scoring form in front of goal has put them in pole position for promotion with 10 games left to play. No side in the league has scored more than the 72 goals Dorking have netted this season, and no side has won more than the 20 league games they have recorded victories in.
Forward and captain Charlie Carter’s 13 goal contributions have helped Dorking to the summit of the table. Carter scored a hat trick when Dorking visited the EMJ Community Stadium this season, meaning City will know all too well about the danger of the Wanderers’ frontman. Carter’s fellow forward, Alfie Rutherford, has also been in strong goalscoring form this season and has found the back of the net 15 times in the National League South.
At the back, centre-back Tony Craig has been a defensive mainstay in White’s XI. Craig, who has made more than 500 appearances in the EFL across his career, has played in 35 of his side’s 40 matches this season and is one of the league’s most experienced players.
Team news:
Forward Saleem Akanbi returned to action last time out against Worthing following a spell injured with an ankle problem.
Cameron James and Freddie Hockey are likely to remain sidelined. Midfielder Ryan Blackman will be hoping to make a return to action after missing his side’s last two matches.
Getting there:
Supporters traveling by car should know that the journey from the EMJ Community Stadium to Meadowbank Stadium takes around 90 minutes. Parking is not available directly at the ground, but there is parking next to the ground at St Martins Walk, RH4 1DX. For more information about parking near Meadowbank Stadium, click here.
The ground is a ten-minute walk from three Dorking train stations.
At the time of writing, the Chelmsford City Supporters Club coach heading to Saturday’s game has sold out.
Matchday & ticketing information:
Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased in advance from Dorking’s official website by clicking here. Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adult: £18
- Concessions & Disabled*: £16
- U18: £9
- U8: £5
- Family Ticket offer (2 adults & 2 children u12) – £38
If a carer is required, they enter the ground free of charge at the gate. Please contact info@dorkingwanderers.com to secure your free carer’s ticket.
Seats are only available on a first-come, first-served basis unless reserved for a Season Ticket holder
How to follow the game:
Radio Clarets will provide live audio commentary of proceedings at Meadowbank Stadium.
Clarets fans can find pre-match coverage of the game and live updates of the proceedings by following the club’s X (formerly Twitter) page: @OfficialClarets, Instagram page: chelmsfordcityfc and Bluesky page: chelmsfordcityfc.
Post-match reactions will be found on the club’s website, official social media channels and on ClaretsTV.
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