Dial boss Steve Brown has been dealt a selection headache ahead of today's (28 March) Premier Challenge (League) Cup semi-final tie against Wimbledon Casuals at Elmbridge Xcel Sports Centre. 2:30pm.

Despite producing one of the best performances to beat Casuals 5-1 in the league in midweek, Brown has no less than 12 players unavailable for the trip to Walton-on-Thames this afternoon. It's a situation he could well do without against a Wimbledon side, still chasing a league, league cup and county cup treble.

It's the third consecutive season that today's hosts have reached the semi-final stage of the competition after they beat Tooting & Mitcham United U23s at home 4-1 in the first round, before going onto beat AFC Royal Holloway 4-0 (away) in the quarter-finals in January.

Last season, Casuals missed out on a place in the final after losing 4-2 against Keens Park Rangers (at Knaphill). They also reached the last four in the 2023/24 season, only to be beaten 2-1 (away) by Worcester Park.

Dial's route to the semi-finals this season has been more straight-forward, after receiving a bye against Selhurst (who withdrew from the league in August 2025) in the first round, before registering a comfortable 3-0 win against Richmond & Kew (at Royal Holloway Sports Ground) in the quarter-finals. Bradley Sweeney, Danny Taylor and Callum Abraham-Barlow were on target for Dial that day.

With striker Adam Bicknell cup-tied and influential winger Jordan Carter unavailable (due to the imminent arrival of his second child), Dial will set up differently in the final third to how they did against Casuals in the league on Tuesday (24 March). Brown will also be without captain Jimmy Norman (injured) for the third consecutive match, as well as Matt Bunyan, Ben Vassell, Harry Laflin, Andy Rider and Stephan Langley who, along with several others, are all ineligible under league cup rules.

Speaking to DialSquareFC.com on Friday (27 March), Brown said: "I thought the boys were superb against Wimbledon Casuals in midweek, but I'm expecting a very different ball-game today with limited personnel available.

"It's going to be an huge task with a dozen or so players unavailable against one of the best footballing side in the league, who are still chasing three trophies this season.

"While I would say that we are underdogs for this fixture, including playing away from home, we still have great players among our ranks. We have no intention of sitting back and allowing them to dictate play. After all, it's a cup game so anything can happen," he added.

For supporters and football enthusiasts looking to travel to the Xcel Sports Hub this afternoon, please use our travel planner in our clubs' directory to assist your journey.

Today's Premier Challenge (League) Cup fixture will be played on the second pitch (3G), behind the main stadium, which is hosting Walton & Hersham v Dorchester Town in the Southern Football League Premier Division South from 3pm.

Access to the second (reserve) pitch is via the main sports hub building (through double doors) not the turnstiles. No admission charge applies for this fixture. Assistance dogs are permitted in the grounds. Free parking is available on-site on a first come first serve basis.

You can view Dial's results and upcoming league and cup fixtures here.

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