Dorking and Woking managers preview derby match

As Dorking Wanderers and Woking both prepare for a Surrey derby at 3pm on Friday, both sides can perhaps take a moment to reflect on impressive seasons.

For Dorking, it is a debut campaign in the National League. Having been formed in 1999, the Surrey Hills side have climbed their way through the lower divisions of English football, culminating in a promotion last season to the fifth tier.

For Woking, it's also been a memorable campaign. The Cardinals are currently in third and on course to finish in the play off places. If they can stay in third, they will only have to win one match to book a place in the all-important play off final at Wembley Stadium.

The 'Surrey derby' could have consequences at both ends of the table. Woking are currently locked in a battle to secure third place with the likes of Chesterfield and Barnet. Dorking, on the other hand, may be having a few nervous glances at the bottom end of the table, although it's worth noting that they are currently eight points clear of 21st place Yeovil, withj just six games to go.

"We now fancy our chances against anybody"

Marc White is the manager, founder, owner and chairman of Dorking Wanderers. When asked about the derby, he said: "We're feeling great, I think Dorking and Woking in the National League are probably in the closest proximity in the whole division... it is a local derby."

"It's just great that two surrey towns, to put the best part of 4000 people in a football ground in the name of sport.

"We're looking forward to the event, but as always focussed on winning."

White also praised his opposing manager, Darren Sarll: "In Darren they've got someone with his own identity, that knows how he wants to play, knows how to get results in this division, so it's to be respected."

White also emphasised that Dorking are not to be underestimated: "We now fancy our chances against anybody."

Darren Sarll, the Woking manager, explained that although the first game didn't feel like a derby, that's changed now.

"If our team plays at its optimal, we have a fantastic chance of winning games."

"When I look back to the first game, when they came to us. i didn't really give it any derby attention, especially in our brief to the players. As this is the second time round I'm a little bit wiser in my Surrey knowledge now... we've kind of built it as a derby game more so than last time."

Looking ahead to the match, Sarll said "we're going to try and win it, of course, and we're going to try and be as proactive as we've been all season in our approach and the way we play. The large emphasis will be on us and our qualities."

Sarll also highlighted that whilst Dorking do have strengths, he prefers to focus on the qualities of his own team.

"They do have qualities, a lot of qualities. But it's not really my way to spend as much time on the opponent. I always like to think that if our team plays at its optimal, we have a fantastic chance of winning games."

In the reverse fixture at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, Woking and Dorking played out an entertaining 3-3 draw. Dorking come into this game unbeaten at home since the end of January, and with just eight points in their last five games, Woking will be looking for a win with third in their sights.

The game kicks off at 3pm this afternoon.