Eastleigh travel to the Meadowbank for the first of a double-header against Dorking Wanderers in the 23^rd matchday of the Vanarama National League on Monday 26^th December with a 3pm kick-off. Preview in association with Unibet.

Dorking Wanderers: 

Dorking progressed in the FA Trophy on penalties following a goalless draw with Yeovil Town. The Wanderers also won their last league fixture in dramatic fashion scoring two goals in two minutes of stoppage time to come from behind and beat 10-men Maidstone United 3-2 at the Meadowbank.

Manager Marc White will be hoping his side can keep up their impressive home record where they have recorded 20 of their 29 points so far this season against an Eastleigh side that have taken just four points on their travels all season.

The Wanderers are currently in 15^th position in the league nine points clear of the drop zone having been promoted from the National League South last season via the play-offs.

James McShane is Dorking Wanderers’ top goal scorer this season with an impressive 15 goals already this season and he will be looking to score in his third consecutive league game having found the net against Maidstone United and Chesterfield in his previous two outings.

Eastleigh:

Eastleigh returned to winning ways with two wins in two days in the week, defeating Woking 2-0 to secure a spot in the fourth round of the FA Trophy on Tuesday, before progressing in the Hampshire Senior Cup with a 1-0 win over Hythe and Dibden on Wednesday.

However, after two weeks without any league action due to the weather conditions, the Spitfires now turn their attention to bouncing back from a 2-0 defeat to Wrexham last time out.

Eastleigh remain in ninth position just two points adrift of the play-off spots and could break into those places should results go their way elsewhere.

JJ McKiernan’s man-of-the-match display against the Red Dragons was followed up with a goal against Woking, his second of the season. While Danny Whitehall also bagged his customary goal in the FA Trophy victory extending his lead at the top of the Spitfires goal charts with his ninth goal of the campaign.

Tristan Abrahams scored the winner against Hythe and Dibden taking his tally to five for the season.

Fixture History: 

The first-ever meeting between the two sides in their 23 years of co-existence came earlier this season in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round where the Spitfires came from behind to win 3-1 at the Meadowbank. 

Second-half goals from Tristan Abrahams, Ryan Hill, and Danny Whitehall helped overturn a deficit caused by Dan Gallagher of Dorking on the brink of half-time.

The grand total of one previous match will become three within the space of a week as Eastleigh will host the Wanderers on New Year’s Day in the reverse fixture for the 24^th matchday of the Vanarama National League too.

By Sajidur Rahman