Dorking Wanderers Weekly Update: DWFC are The Entertainers

Wanderers Head To Plainmoor Seeking Revenge For Playoff Heartbreak

Dorking Wanderers make the long trip to Torquay United on Saturday, looking to avenge last season's playoff semi-final defeat against a side that entered the 2026/27 campaign as pre-season favourites.

Torquay's start to the season had been inconsistent, winning just one of their opening six matches and suffering 2-0 defeats to both Dagenham & Redbridge and Farnham Town. 

However, back-to-back wins, a 3-2 victory over Folkestone Invicta followed by a 4-0 win against nine-man Maidenhead on Tuesday, have put them level with Dorking on 12 points and reinstated them as title favourites ahead of Dagenham & Redbridge.

The two sides have a habit of producing goals when they meet. As well as last season's playoff semi-final, Dorking beat Torquay 3-1 at Meadowbank before the sides played out a 2-2 draw at Plainmoor in March. 

Recent scorelines between the clubs, 3-3, 3-2, 3-1, 2-2 and 4-2, suggest Saturday's meeting is unlikely to be short of goals, particularly with Dorking having drawn 3-3 in each of their last two outings.

Dorking go into the match on the back of a mixed run of form (LWWDD), while Torquay arrive full of confidence (LDLWW).

ALSO READ

Dorking Wanderers Update: Weekly Exclusive Free Competitions, Insight From Marc White & The Players

What Marc White Said:

Marc White pointed to officiating decisions costing his side points in recent weeks, but was buoyed by his team's attacking output ahead of the trip to Devon.

"The Chelmsford and Billericay matches are marred by two clear officiating errors that cost us four points. I think we'd be disappointed that we conceded four goals outside of that," White said.

"But the goalscoring form is tremendous and clearly, if you're playing Dorking, then you know you'll have to deal with a lot of attacking threats. That's certainly a real positive and the fact that the new lads are now starting to bed in."

White also relished the prospect of a trip to a historic Football League ground. "We always look forward to the visit to Torquay. They're a 110-year-old Football League club, and it's always a privilege to go to play at big stadiums like that in front of so many fans. I think every club, when the fixture list comes out, look to see when they're at Torquay away. It's always a lovely pitch and a decent welcome."

He added: "They're one of the teams that we'd expect to be competing with this season at some point."

What Midfielder Jack Wood Said:

Jack Wood, who joined Dorking over the summer, says he's settling into life at the club and is beginning to find his scoring touch.

"I have really enjoyed my first couple of months at Dorking and getting on really well with all the players and staff. I really feel like I am getting to grips with the style of play and forming good relationships on the pitch and very excited to see what the season brings as I believe we are only going to get better," Wood said.

"It's really pleasing to contribute to some goals over the recent weeks. It took a while for me to get my first one but since scoring against Walton, chances have started coming my way and long may it continue!"

On Saturday's trip to Torquay, he added: "Torquay will be a very tough game as they are in good form but so are we. We will be going into the game with a lot of confidence and hopefully can pick up all three points on the weekend."

National League South Title Odds

Torquay have returned as title favourites after consecutive wins, with Dagenham & Redbridge having picked up just a point in that time. 

Maidstone, unbeaten in six of their last seven with six wins and a draw, sit three points clear at the top of the table and have shortened into third favourites at 6/1. 

Dorking's pair of 3-3 draws has seen them slip to fourth favourites at 9/1, with Chelmsford at 12/1.

Fixture Details

Torquay United vs Dorking Wanderers. National League South. Plainmoor. Saturday 12th September, 15:00.