Dorking vs Chatham Prediction & Betting Tips (3 October)

FA Cup action returns to Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 3 October 2026 as Dorking Wanderers host Chatham Town in the 2026/27 Emirates FA Cup, with kick-off at 15:00. The Red & White Army are relishing a home cup tie after a dramatic qualifying campaign so far, while the Chats make the trip to Surrey looking to pull off an upset against higher-league opposition. Dorking, competing in the National League South, start as clear favourites, but Chatham's Isthmian Premier pedigree means this is anything but a formality for Marc White's men.

Dorking arrive in excellent spirits following their breathtaking 4-3 comeback win over Braintree Town at Meadowbank, where the Wanderers overturned a deficit to take all three points. Their cup run has already produced fireworks — after being held to a 2-2 draw away to Southall in the previous round, they survived a nine-goal replay thriller to advance. Chatham, meanwhile, have found a rich vein of form of their own, grinding out a 1-0 win at Slough Town and a 4-0 rout of Egham Town, though their season ended in heartbreak last term with a 3-2 play-off semi-final defeat at Billericay — a reminder that they can compete with strong sides even when the stakes are highest.

For the 2026/27 season, Dorking's confirmed squad blends experience with fresh faces: Glenn Morris between the posts, a back line featuring Brennan Camp, Charlie Sayers, Isaac Philpot and Louie Annesley, a creative midfield led by Dan Pybus, Harry Pinchard, George Francomb and Josh Barrett, and an attack spearheaded by new number nine George Nikaj alongside Alfie Rutherford and Dawid Rogalski. The only concern for Marc White is a knee injury to midfielder Josh Taylor, ruled out until November. Chatham's rebuilt 2026/27 squad is one of the youngest in the division and will look to striker Tope Fadahunsi, who committed his future to the club this summer, to lead the line and punish any defensive lapses from the hosts.

The bookmakers make Dorking strong favourites in European odds, priced around 1.40 for the home win, 4.33 for the draw, and 7.50 for a Chatham victory. Given Dorking's attacking firepower at Meadowbank, their home crowd, and Chatham's step-three status, we expect the Wanderers to control the tie from start to finish. Our prediction is a comfortable Dorking Wanderers 3-0 win, booking their place in the next round of the FA Cup with a clean sheet to b