“Humdingers” is how Jimmy Ball describes recent meetings between Torquay United and Dorking Wanderers – and the Gulls boss is expecting more of the same when the two sides renew acquaintances at Plainmoor on Saturday.
“They’ve just been fantastic games, great spectacles for the league,” said Ball. “Two teams going toe-to-toe, having a right go against each other.
“I’m expecting more of the same – and hopefully the same result as the semi-final.”
Four months on from United’s memorable 4-2 Play-Off Semi-Final victory over Wanderers, Dorking return to the English Riviera for another intriguing encounter between two clubs currently locked together in the National League South table.
United head into Saturday looking to make it three wins on the bounce following victories over Folkestone Invicta and Maidenhead United, with Tuesday night’s emphatic 4-0 win at York Road providing another welcome injection of confidence.
Dorking arrive at Plainmoor in seventh, one place above the Gulls on goal difference, with both teams having collected 12 points from their opening eight matches.
THE OPPOSITION
Few stories in non-League football are quite like Dorking Wanderers.
Founded by a group of friends in 1999, the Surrey club have risen from park football through the pyramid under the stewardship of founder, chairman and manager Marc White.
After reaching the National League and spending two seasons at Step One, Dorking returned to National League South in 2024 and have remained firmly amongst the division’s promotion contenders.
Last season they reached the play-offs after finishing fourth, beating Maidenhead United in the Eliminator before their campaign was ended at Plainmoor.
White has reshaped his squad again this summer, adding a number of younger attacking players as he looks to build another side capable of challenging towards the top of the division.
FORM GUIDE
Dorking endured a mixed opening to the new campaign but are now unbeaten in four.
After losing 1-0 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge and drawing 0-0 at Maidenhead, Wanderers won 3-0 at AFC Totton before suffering a 3-2 home defeat against Maidstone.
They have not lost since.
A convincing 4-1 victory at Walton & Hersham was followed by a 1-0 home success against Truro City, before consecutive 3-3 draws against Billericay Town and Chelmsford City.
Tuesday’s draw with Chelmsford was another indication of Dorking’s attacking threat – and their willingness to play on the front foot.
Their last two matches alone have produced 12 goals – six for and six against.
Wanderers have also been impressive on their travels, remaining unbeaten in four away league matches with two wins and two draws, scoring ten times and conceding four.
HOW THEY PLAY
Ball has little doubt about what to expect.
“They play, they want to attack,” said the United boss. “I can’t see them coming here and low-blocking us.”
That assessment is supported by Dorking’s numbers.
White wants his side to dominate possession, move the ball quickly and commit numbers forward. His summer recruitment has given Wanderers plenty of pace and creativity around the final third, while the personnel in attack allows them to pose different problems through the middle and from wider positions.
White was particularly pleased with their performance against Chelmsford, describing a developing side which he believes is beginning to gel.
There remains work to do defensively – something White himself acknowledged after conceding three goals in each of their last two matches – but with 16 goals from eight league games, only a handful of teams in the division have been more productive going forward.
ONES TO WATCH
Dawid Rogalski
A prolific summer arrival from Walton & Hersham, the 29-year-old centre-forward scored 27 times in 49 appearances last season before making the move to Meadowbank.
The six-footer provides a focal point through the middle but is comfortable with the ball at his feet and capable of bringing others into play.
He has already made an impact for his new club and struck twice in the recent 3-3 draw at Billericay.
Jack Wood
A name that will already be familiar to some United supporters following his brief loan spell at Plainmoor in 2025.
The 23-year-old winger scored 17 goals in Walton & Hersham’s promotion-winning side last season before joining Dorking during the summer.
Quick, direct and confident taking on defenders, Wood is finding his stride. He has scored in three of his last four appearances, including Dorking’s equaliser against Chelmsford on Tuesday.
Josh Barrett
One of Dorking’s headline summer recruits.
The former Reading and Bristol Rovers midfielder arrived from Aldershot Town having scored 23 goals in 81 appearances during his latest spell with the Shots.
Barrett was Aldershot’s Fans’ Player of the Season and scored at Wembley in their FA Trophy Final victory.
Technically gifted and comfortable operating between midfield and attack, he has scored in each of Dorking’s last two matches.
George Nikaj
Another exciting summer addition, Nikaj arrived after establishing himself as one of the division’s most dangerous young attackers at Dover Athletic.
The 23-year-old scored 25 goals in all competitions during Dover’s 2024/25 promotion campaign and followed that with 15 league goals last season.
He produced an excellent finish after only two minutes against Chelmsford on Tuesday, although he is one of several Dorking players facing a late fitness check ahead of Saturday.
DORKING TEAM NEWS
White admitted on Friday morning that he has a number of injury concerns for the trip to Devon.
Brennan Camp, George Nikaj and Dan Pybus are all rated around 50/50, while Harry Pinchard may be protected after only recently returning from a knee problem and completing his first full 90 minutes against Chelmsford.
Most significantly, prolific striker Alfie Rutherford is a major doubt with a hamstring problem, with White indicating that he does not expect him to make Saturday’s game.
Longer-term absentees include Josh Taylor and Jimmy Muitt.
White does, however, have experienced defender Femi Ilesanmi available following his recent arrival. The 35-year-old left-sided defender joined Wanderers after making 51 appearances for Boreham Wood last season.
UNITED TEAM NEWS
Ball reported a relatively positive picture from the United camp.
Harry Shield and Sean Robertson are both progressing and are thought to be around three weeks away from returning.
Angelo Cappello felt some tightness in his hamstring at Maidenhead on Tuesday and will be treated cautiously, while recent arrivals Oludare Olufunwa and Jacob Beaumont-Clarke are continuing to build towards full match fitness.
Ball also suggested that further recruitment remains possible, although there is now no desire to rush.
BALL’S VIEW
The United boss believes the fixture has all the ingredients for another entertaining afternoon.
“The two games we’ve had in my time have just been humdingers,” said Ball.
“Fantastic games, great spectacles for the league. Two teams going toe-to-toe, having a right go against each other.”
Ball also remembers vividly the part the Yellow Army played in May’s play-off encounter.
“The noise in the semi-final against them was tremendous. The atmosphere was great.
“When we’re not quite right, we need them to get us going. On games like Tuesday night, we got them going because we were good from the off.
“We both need each other at different times and I’m sure the players will be out there giving everything – and I know the fans will be too.”
WHITE’S VIEW
There is plenty of mutual respect.
White spoke warmly about United ahead of Dorking’s journey to Devon, describing Plainmoor as one of the division’s toughest away trips.
“When the fixture list comes out, you want to get a Torquay,” he said. “It’s a brilliant pitch, good set of fans, football people.
“If you get a Torquay, you’re happy to come away with any level of result. It’s one of the tougher away days.”
He also remembers the impact of the home support in May.
“The play-off semi-final was raucous. Jimmy and his management team will know that’s a massive strength for them.”
There remains a sting from that defeat, however.
White believes his side arrived at Plainmoor at the end of last season running on empty following their play-off victory over Maidenhead, with a severely depleted defence.
This time, despite the current injury concerns, he believes Dorking are in a better place.
And he admits something of a rivalry has developed.
“There’s a bit of rivalry there, isn’t there? But it’s friendly rivalry.
“It’s great that we can be rivals with clubs as iconic as Torquay.”
The admiration only goes so far.
“We’re obviously going there, make no mistake, to win.”
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
There was no shortage of drama when the sides met last season.
Dorking won the first encounter 3-1 at Meadowbank, with Alfie Rutherford, Josh Taylor and Jimmy Muitt putting Wanderers three goals ahead before Jordan Young’s late consolation.
By the time the teams met again at Plainmoor in March, Ball was in charge of United.
Rutherford again put Dorking ahead, before substitute Callum Dolan transformed the contest with two goals in as many minutes late in the second half.
Kai Enslin’s late equaliser eventually secured Wanderers a 2-2 draw.
Then came the biggest meeting of all.
In front of 4,800 supporters at Plainmoor in May, braces from Deon Moore and Jordan Young put United four goals ahead in the National League South Play-Off Semi-Final.
Dorking responded through George Knight and Rutherford late on, but United’s 4-2 victory secured their place in the Promotion Final.
It is that afternoon both managers will have in mind when the teams meet again on Saturday.
THE VERDICT
Level on points, both carrying attacking threats and both beginning to build some momentum.
United arrive following successive victories. Dorking are unbeaten in four and have yet to taste defeat away from Meadowbank in the league this season.
And with 14 goals produced by the teams’ three meetings last season, recent history suggests caution may not feature too prominently.
Jimmy Ball calls them “humdingers”.
Plainmoor may be in for another one.
Torquay United v Dorking Wanderers
Enterprise National League South
Saturday 12th September – 3pm
Plainmoor
