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Wrexham AFC
National League | Gameweek 35
Feb 25, 2023 at 3pm UK
Poolfoot Farm

Wrexham
3 - 1
Dorking

Lee (12'), Mullin (41'), Dalby (56')
Cannon (35')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Muitt (76')
Moore (45+2')

Preview: Wrexham vs. Dorking Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's National League clash between Wrexham and Dorking Wanderers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Wrexham will be looking to close the gap on league leaders Notts County when they welcome Dorking Wanderers to the Racecourse Ground in the National League on Saturday afternoon.

The home side are second in the table, five points adrift of Notts County with two games in hand, while the visitors are 19th, and their sole aim this season will be to avoid relegation.


Match preview

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson before the match on February 7, 2023© Reuters

Under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham are looking to return to the EFL for the first time since the 2007-08 season, and they are very much on course to do so.

The Reds are 17 points clear of third-placed Woking, meaning that it is a two-horse race for the National League title, but Notts County are showing no signs of slowing down either, so it could go right down to the wire.

In fact, the last time Phil Parkinson's side lost a league match was away against the league leaders way back at the start of October, going undefeated over a 20-game period and picking up a remarkable 52 points in that time.

Wrexham have played 15 games at the Racecourse Ground in the National League this season, winning 14 and drawing just once, with that coming in a 2-2 against Woking on Valentine's Day.

A stoppage-time Sam Dalby winner secured all three points in a 4-3 victory at Aldershot last weekend, before the Reds followed that up with a comfortable 2-0 win against Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night, meaning that they are in fantastic form heading into Saturday's game.

As expected in their first season in the National League, Dorking are battling to avoid relegation, currently sitting just one point clear of the bottom four, having been in poor form of late.

In their last 10 matches, the Wanderers have acquired just seven points, the third-fewest of any side in the fifth tier, while they also got knocked out of the FA Trophy courtesy of a 1-0 defeat at Aldershot Town.

The one thing you can say about Marc White's side is that their games have never failed to be entertaining, scoring 47 goals, which is more than two sides that are in the playoffs, but they have also been defensively vulnerable.

Dorking have conceded 73 goals, the joint-highest amount of any side in the division, failing to keep a clean sheet in the league since a 1-0 home victory against York City at the end of November.

The Wanderers' form at Meadowbank Stadium has been their saving grace this season, and they most recently recorded a vital 3-2 win against relegation-threatened Torquay United courtesy of a second-half Harry Ottaway brace.

Wrexham National League form:


Wrexham form (all competitions):


Dorking Wanderers National League form:


Team News

Phil Parkinson, now in charge of Wrexham, pictured in January 2020© Reuters

On Tuesday night, Rob Lainton made his first league start in goal for Wrexham since suffering a career-threatening injury towards the end of last season, and after keeping a clean sheet, he is set to keep his place ahead of Mark Howard.

Bryce Hosannah also returned to the starting lineup against Scunthorpe, although the right-wing back was forced off after just 20 minutes, so Jacob Mendy is likely to come into the side, having been brought on as a substitute last time out.

Paul Mullin continued his excellent scoring form against the Iron, bagging a brace for the second game on the spin, and he could be accompanied by Sam Dalby in attack, replacing Ollie Palmer, who has not scored in his last five.

As for Dorking, James McShane is expected to lead the line, having scored his 17th league goal of the season against Torquay United on Tuesday, the joint-third highest total in the division.

After scoring twice as a substitute against Torquay, Ottaway is likely to be selected from the off, replacing Ryan Seager, who has not managed to find the back of the net in his last six outings, in the starting lineup.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Lainton; Forde, Cleworth, Tozer, O'Connell, Mendy; Jones, Young, Lee; Dalby, Mullin

Dorking Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Lincoln; Philpott, Kennedy, Francomb, Craig; Taylor, Gallagher, Briggs, Prior; McShane, Ottaway


SM words green background

We say: Wrexham 4-1 Dorking Wanderers

Wrexham have been formidable at the Racecourse Ground this season, failing to win on just one occasion, meaning that they should have no trouble at all sweeping Dorking Wanderers aside.

The visitors have not won a league away match since a 1-0 victory against Barnet in the middle of September, and there is very little chance that record changes against a side going for the league title.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Game History

How you voted: Wrexham vs Dorking

Wrexham
95.2%
Draw
0.0%
Dorking Wanderers
4.8%
21
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Wrexham's Thomas O'Connor celebrates scoring their third goal with Sam Dalby and Elliot Lee on January 7, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CChesterfield4631510106654198
2Barnet462681291603186
3Bromley462215973492481
4AltrinchamAltrincham4622111384592577
5Solihull MoorsSolihull462113127162976
6Gateshead462291588642475
7Halifax TownHalifax461914135850871
8Aldershot TownAldershot46209177483-969
9Southend UnitedSouthend4621121370452565
10Oldham AthleticOldham461518136360363
11Rochdale461614166964562
12Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool46179207082-1260
13Eastleigh461611197387-1459
14Maidenhead UnitedMaidenhead461513186067-758
15Dagenham & RedbridgeDag & Red461414186963656
16WealdstoneWealdstone461511206072-1256
17Woking461510214955-655
18Fylde461510217482-855
19Ebbsfleet461412205974-1554
20York City461217175569-1453
21Boreham WoodBoreham Wood461216185973-1452
22Kidderminster HarriersKidderminster461113224059-1946
23Dorking WanderersDorking46129255485-3145
24Oxford CityOxford City4689295494-4033


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