United are back on their travels on Saturday, as they head to Meadowbank to take on fellow promotion hopefuls Dorking Wanderers.
With much-fancied Dorking living up to their tag of pre-season promotion favourites, Paul Wotton’s side will undoubtedly face one of their toughest tasks of 2024/25 in Surrey tomorrow, as they look to follow up Tuesday night’s 2-2 home draw with a third successive win on their travels.
Who’s The Boss?
Marc White is the founder, owner and Chairman of the club and has been manager since 2007.
During that time he has overseen a remarkable 12 promotions in 23 seasons, seeing his side ride from the 17th tier of English football to the fifth, when he led them to the National League for the first time in 2022.
Although they survived their first season at the top table of non league football, disappointment was to follow the following season, as they slipped to relegation last time out, making a return to the National League South.
How Have They Been Doing?
Wanderers are currently three points off top spot, with their tally of 71 points from 38 outings leaving them in 4th position – three points and two places above The Gulls in sixth spot.
Dorking’s main strength is in attack, with their 75 league goals the highest in the division by some margin.
Tuesday’s night’s visit to Maidstone so nearly brought about another maximum points haul – before a Stones leveller saw the points shared in a 1-1 draw.
Player to Watch
Cultured midfielder Jimmy Muitt remains a key member of the Dorking engine room after six years in Surrey.
Muitt has also been a thorn in United’s side before, having got himself on the scoresheet during the 3-3 National League draw at Plainmoor back in November 2022.
After coming through the ranks at Brighton & Hove Albion before moving to Lewes in 2015, the following season saw Muitt at Bognor, where he spent three seasons prior to arriving at Meadowbank in October of 2019.
Played for Both
Rhys Murphy joined Dorking in May following the expiry of his contract at Yeovil Town. Murphy came through the ranks at Arsenal, having loan spells at Brentford and Preston before leaving the Emirates in 2012. The forward then played for Telstar in Holland, before two years at Dagenham & Redbridge s followed by a season at Oldham Athletic.
Loan spells at Crawley and AFC Wimbledon came while at Boundry Park before he headed to Gloucestershire and Forest Green Rovers in 2016 where he stayed for two season, also having loan spells at York City back at Crawley and then to Plainmoor for three months in September 2017. Gillingham came next on a short deal, but his next two clubs (Chelmsford City & Yeovil Town) saw him score over 50 goals in less then 100 games for the teams over a three season period.
Upon leaving Huish Park Murphy headed back to Essex, this time to Southend United for two years, before heading back to Huish Park last season as part of the team that helped the Glovers claim the National League South title.
Previous Encounter
Tuesday 21st February 2023 | National League | Dorking 3 – 2 United
Ten-man United were condemned to a 3-2 defeat at Dorking Wanderers on their last visit to Meadowbank.
It took 6 minutes for the home side to take the advantage through captain James McShane, before a strike by Aaron Jarvis in the final moments of the first half ensured it was honours even at the interval. United were quick out of the blocks with Tom Lapslie putting Gary Johnson’s side ahead, however, following the dismissal of Kieron Evans, a brace from substitute Harry Ottaway secured a 3-2 victory for Dorking.