Glen Harrington
8:09pm, Mon 12th Sep 2022
Woking vs Oldham Athletic
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 13th September 2022
Woking will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run to three league matches on Tuesday evening when they take on Oldham Athletic in the first ever competitive match-up between the two clubs.
The Cards, who have already beaten Scunthorpe United at home this season, will also be looking to make it back-to-back victories over the two clubs relegated from the Football League at the end of last season. Darren Sarll’s side come into this match-up in decent form after picking up four points from their last two outings – a 3-1 win at Torquay United, followed by a televised 1-1 draw at Wealdstone last Sunday, which saw Jermaine Anderson score his first goal for the club.
Following the postponement of Saturday’s game with Yeovil Town, wide midfielder Kyran Lofthouse remains suspended, and he will instead complete the third and final match of his ban on Tuesday following his red card against Wrexham. Otherwise, the Cards should be close to full strength, with Sarll also having added to his squad with the arrival of Jake Vokins on a season-long loan from Southampton, with the left-back set to put pressure on captain Josh Casey for his spot in the side.
Opposition Watch
Oldham have the unwelcome distinction of being the first club to play in both the Premier League – having featured in the first two seasons following its creation in 1992 – and the National League. After being relegated in both 1994 and 1997, they spent 21 years in the third tier, twice reaching the play-offs in 2003 and 2007 but predominately finishing in the bottom half, before further relegations in 2018 and 2022 – finishing 23rd, one place above Scunthorpe, at the end of last season.
The club was given a fresh start this summer following a buy-out from new owner Frank Rothwell but, like Scunthorpe, have found the National League to be a challenging division – they currently sit in 14th place in the league table, with eight points from their first seven games, with two wins, two draws, and three defeats. After drawing their opening game 0-0 at Torquay, they won 3-2 at home to Dorking, before suffering their first home defeat, 2-1 by Wealdstone. A 1-0 loss at Southend followed, prior to netting a late winner in a 2-1 home success verses Aldershot and drawing 1-1 at York. They lost their last game 2-0 at home to Chesterfield.
Oldham are managed by their former player John Sheridan, who remarkably is in his sixth spell as manager, having also coached them in either a caretaker or full-time capacity in 2001, 2003-04, 2006-09, 2016 and 2017. Prior to taking the job in January he had spells with Wigan Athletic and Swindon Town. He has previous experience at this level with Chesterfield.
Their squad saw a huge turnover in players this summer with 16 new signings, including five loanees, whilst 14 departed, the most notable of which was top scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn who joined League One side Burton Albion. In terms of incomings, former Woking midfielder Charlie Cooper was among Sheridan’s new recruits, and he has played in every game for his new club so far. Other familiar names include Stockport duo Liam Hogan and Lois Maynard, Hartlepool defender Zaine Francis-Angol, and veteran striker Chris Porter. Their top scorer this season, Hallam Hope, is currently out injured.
Tickets
When pre-purchased, ticket prices are £20 for Adults, £15 for Concessions, £12 for Next-Gen and £5 for Under 16s. Tickets bought on the gate on the day are charged at an additional £2.
For more information and to book your ticket please
click here.
