Cards face tough first outing
Brian Caffarey
12:49pm, Thu 9th Aug 2012
Wrexham v Woking
3pm on Saturday 11 August 2012
The Cards were certainly dealt a difficult opening hand when the computer spewed out this season’s Blue Square Premier fixture list. Wrexham, last year’s runners-up with 98 points, are among the favourites to lift this season’s title and will no doubt provide a stiff opening day test for Garry Hill’s side. But Garry says that his team don’t fear anyone in this league and, on the back of a useful-looking squad and a reasonably promising pre-season campaign, who knows....they might just spring a surprise at the Racecourse Ground.
WOKING
It won’t be giving anything away to Wrexham to say that Saturday’s defence looks almost certain to be Aaron Howe in goal, with Adam Newton and Mike Cestor as the two full-backs and Brett Johnson and Jack Parkinson as the two centre backs, although both Adam Doyle and Joe McNerney would consider themselves unlucky not to start. In midfield Garry looks equally certain to name Mark Ricketts, Lee Sawyer and Kevin Betsy. The remaining three places in the starting line-up can be permed from Loick Pires, Bradley Bubb, Dean Sinclair, Gez Sole and Brett Williams.
We don’t yet know who the reserve keeper will be but Garry will no doubt have lined up somebody in time for Saturday.
Garry Hill’s side often impressed in their pre-season friendlies, with good performances against League sides at Kingfield, including wins over Crawley Town, AFC Wimbledon and Aldershot Town, so there’s no reason to be unduly pessimistic about the Cards’ prospects this season. And no side put out by Garry and Steve Thompson will lack for commitment or fitness.
WREXHAM
Andy Morrell lost two key strikers over the summer, with the sale of Jake Speight to rivals Mansfield Town and Mathias Pogba’s decision to join Crewe Alexandra. Morrell hopes that the highly-experienced Brett Ormerod, now 35, will keep the flow of goals coming. Ormerod has been with Blackpool in recent seasons, although he also had a brief spell with Rochdale last year. Two other new arrivals are young reserve keeper Andy Coughlin from Tranmere Rovers and Martin Riley, a centre back who has played for Kidderminster, Cheltenham and Mansfield.
Last season the Dragons won 16 home games, drawing three and losing four, with a goal tally of 48 goals for and only 17 against.
In their final pre-season game last weekend Wrexham drew 1-1 in a low-key encounter at Altrincham.
GETTING THERE
Racecourse Ground
Mold Road
Wrexham
Wales
LL11 2AH
Official website: www.wrexhamafc.co.uk
By Coach
The Cards Trust coach leaves Kingfield at 9.00am. The cost is £22 for Trust members and £29 for non-members. To find out if there are any seats left, ring the Club Shop or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk
By car
Take the M54 from the M6 (Junction 10A Northbound). Follow the M54 to the end of the motorway and join the A5 towards Shrewsbury. Continue on the A5 past Shrewsbury and Oswestry and then join the A483 towards Wrexham. Stay on the A483 as you reach Wrexham (this is the Wrexham by-pass). Exit at the 'Mold' junction and then follow the signs for 'Town Centre'. The Racecourse will come quickly into view. There is parking at Glyndwr University, for a small fee, next to the ground or at Maesgwyn Hall opposite the University.
By train
Those fans planning to travel by train will almost certainly have taken advantage of the cheaper advance fares. For any last-minute traveller, though, the 11.10 from Euston would get you to Chester at 13.12, from where you can pick up the 13.30, arriving at Wrexham at 13.46. Wrexham General station is only five minutes’ from the ground.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults: £18
Over 60s and under 21s: £12
Over 80s and under 16s: £5
Under 11s: £2
LAST TIME OUT
Wrexham 1 Woking 1
28 December 2008
A young, struggling Woking side came away with an unexpected point from the Racecourse Ground. Marc Williams gave the Dragons a first-half lead, which they had a number of chances to extend, but a defensive mistake midway through the second half gave Tom Denton the chance to equalise.
Woking: Eastwood, Magunda, Konan, Kamara, Bunce, Ledgister (Lambu 59), Spence, Pattison, Quamina, Sam-Yorke (Denton 64), Domoraud
Subs not used: Gindre, El Kholti, Moone.
Woking 1 Wrexham 1
14 March 2009
Both sides needed three points for their respective relegation and promotion battles but had to be content with one apiece. The visitors were on top in the first half and took the lead with a deflected Baynes shot. But seven minutes after the break Rob Elvins did well to control and finish Joe Anderson’s through ball. The Cards continued to play much better in the second half but couldn’t snatch a winner.
Woking: Danny Knowles, Patrice Konan, Paul Lorraine, Colin Miles (Dan Sintim, 46), Joe Anderson, Matt Pattison, Oliver Bozanic, Alex Rhodes (Joel Ledgister, 79), Kelvin Bossman (Goma Lambu, 63), Rob Elvins, Wilfried Domoraud
Unused subs: Ross Worner, Liam Marum
NEXT GAME
Don’t miss the Cards’ first home game on Tuesday night against Dartford! The Cards also entertain Barrow on the following Saturday (18 August). Make sure you are there to cheer the side on to a good start to the season.
Come on, you Cards!
P.S. If you can’t make it to Wrexham, BBC Surrey will be providing live internet commentary on the game.
