Dorking Wanderers – Chatham Town

Recent form · Written before the match

Dorking are listed as eighth in the National League South after ten matchdays, with 4 wins, 4 draws, 2 defeats, 22 goals scored and 16 conceded, according to the presentation published on 1 October 2026. They are still listed as unbeaten since 22 August; the explicitly cited results are a 2-2 draw at Southall, a 5-4 win after extra time in the replay, then a 4-3 victory against Braintree on 26 September.

This run suggests rhythm and attacking ability, but the scores also show a vulnerable defence. Chatham are listed as twelfth in the Isthmian Premier Division after eight matches, with 4 wins, 4 defeats, 16 goals scored and 13 conceded.

Their cited recent records are a 3-1 defeat against Berkhamsted in the FA Trophy on 26 September and a 2-1 defeat against Eastbourne on 15 September; in the FA Cup, they won 4-0 at Egham Town and then 1-0 at Slough. The exact rest period, travel distances and a comprehensive run of the last five matches have not been established.

Head-to-head · Written before the match

Dorking’s official presentation mentions a 1-0 Chatham win at Meadowbank in a friendly match in July 2026. It also mentions four league meetings between 2016 and 2017: two Dorking wins, one Chatham win, and one draw; the last competitive meeting listed is Chatham 0-3 Dorking in February 2017.

The recent friendly is not competitive, while the 2016-2017 matches are too old to carry much weight if the squads and coaches have changed. The archives consulted do not make it possible to independently reconstruct all recent head-to-head meetings.

Absences and returns

Dorking’s medical bulletin of 30 September 2026 lists Josh Taylor, knee, expected return in November; Jimmy Muitt, knee, return hoped for in mid-October subject to an examination; Dan Gallagher, back, return hoped for at New Year; Harry Forster, knee, operation scheduled for early October; Louie Annesley, minor thigh injury, expected return on Saturday; Brennan Camp, hip management, expected return on Saturday; Dan Pybus, knee pain, treatment planned and availability hoped for on Saturday. For Chatham, no verified medical bulletin, confirmed suspension, or confirmed goalkeeper is available before the match.

Context & news

The favourable scenario for Dorking rests on home advantage, the announced run of eight matches unbeaten, its 22 goals in ten rounds, and its recent ability to produce attacking matches. The contrary scenario rests on Chatham’s transitions: its 4-0 wins at Egham Town and 1-0 win at Slough in the FA Cup show that it has already won away in this competition, while the many goals conceded by Dorking recently may leave spaces.

No xG, shot volume, pressing indicator, reliable set-piece detail, or goalkeeper data makes it possible to distinguish the quality of the chances. At stake is qualification for the fourth qualifying round, with an announced £5,625 prize for the winner and £1,875 for the loser.

Lineups and squad

Dorking is confirmed as the home team at Meadowbank Stadium; no neutral venue is indicated. No official lineup has been announced.

Annesley, Camp, and Pybus were considered potentially selectable, with no guarantee of starting or being included in the squad. The starting elevens cannot be inferred from old lineups.