ECHOSPORT talks to Dorking Wanderers fan James Lampard ahead of Saturday's FA Trophy clash at Roots Hall.

What have you made of the season so far?

"The season so far has been mixed.

"We started badly losing the opening day fixture and suffering with injuries.

"We have since picked up but it has been inconsistent with injuries and mixed results.

"However, we do have players coming back from injury and recent results have been good.

"I have a good feeling about the rest of the season, and from Christmas onwards hopefully we can have everyone back fully fit."

What are the hopes for Dorking this season?

"My hopes and that of all the fans would be promotion.

"Failing that, it would be to get into the play-offs.

"When last season was curtailed we were something like five points clear at the top.

"This season due to injuries and the mixed results we haven’t hit those heights yet, but hopefully after Christmas we can really start to push on.

"It is a tight division and anyone can beat anyone. The top seven or eight places are all quite tight in terms of points."

If promotion is the main aim how important is the FA Trophy for you?

"The Trophy is important and Dorking will take it seriously.

"Last season we knocked Stockport out at their place, after beating local rivals Leatherhead, Barnet and then Bromley.

"We ended up losing to Fylde.

"It gives the club a chance to progress and get some national exposure, as we haven’t done that well in the FA Cup."

Who is the dangerman?

"At the moment that would be Alfie Rutherford.

"He scored both in the last round against Worthing and got a hat-trick in midweek against Oxford City.

"He is in top form and scoring goals.

"Along with him I would state that the midfield four of Niall McManus, James McShane, Josh Taylor and Matt Briggs will also be a handful."

This will be the first time Southend have played Dorking. What can you tell us about the club and its history?

"The club was formed in 1999 by current chairman and manager Marc White.

"It was initially a park side with a bunch of mates playing in leagues around Crawley.

"The club then moved across into West Sussex leagues and promotions followed almost every season since.

"The club started playing at the Big Field in Brockham where players put the goals and nets up!

"Then we moved into Westhumble – again a ground that the players and staff maintained and worked on – painting and renovating the changing rooms etc.

"Finally a couple of seasons ago we moved into our current home of Meadowbank, on the site of the old Dorking FC.

"It has been a meteoric rise but Marc White has over seen the whole thing. We now get home gates of around 750+ and take fans to away games."

What's the team news?

"We don’t have any first choice defenders, losing another in Ed Harris a couple of weeks ago.

"We also have a couple of recent additions who are cup tied so changes from the recent win over Oxford are likely."