The Cards look for back-to-back wins
Glen Harrington
11:05am, Mon 24th Feb 2014
Kidderminster Harriers v Woking
7.45pm on Tuesday 25 February 2014
The Cards will play their sixth game in a little over three weeks on Tuesday, looking to end a rollercoaster month by completing what would be an impressive double, over play-off chasing Kidderminster Harriers. Woking defeated the Harriers thanks to a solitary Scott Rendell strike back in December, and will no doubt be hoping for a similar result to move them clear of the relegation zone.
WOKING
It is probably fair to say that ‘inconsistent’ would be the word to describe Woking at the moment. So far this month, an excellent 3-0 win over Hereford was followed by an, albeit unlucky 2-0 defeat at Salisbury. A hugely impressive 2-0 win at Gateshead was then followed by a 5-1 thrashing at lowly Dartford. On Saturday the Cards pitched for somewhere in between those two markers, overcoming some difficult moments to eventually emerge 3-2 winners against Macclesfield.
However, if Garry Hill’s side can make it four wins – and twelve points – from six February fixtures tomorrow night, it will undoubtedly go down as an extremely successful month – and one that would virtually ensure the club’s Skrill Premier safety.
Woking welcomed back Mike Cestor to the starting line-up on Saturday, while Brett Johnson dropped down to the bench. With Joey Jones still suspended, and with Adam Newton absent since the victory over Hereford, it seems unlikely that there will be many changes from the Macclesfield game.
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS
Aside from an excellent FA Cup run – which eventually ended in the fourth round with defeat to Premier League Sunderland – it’s been a difficult season for Kidderminster, who have so far failed to live up to their own lofty expectations.
Last weekend chairman Mark Serrell resigned from the club with immediate effect, claiming that supporters had lost faith in his leadership.
Serrell was at the heart of the surprising decision to sack Steve Burr, now with Chester, in January and replace him with former Coventry boss Andy Thorn.
Despite winning his first league game in charge, 3-0 against Salisbury, Thorn has since seen his Harriers team fail to win in five matches – losing to Dartford, Gateshead and Lincoln, and drawing with Hereford and, most recently, Braintree. His team has 47 points from 31 games, and are currently six points adrift of the top five.
Kidderminster still have an impressive squad at their disposal. Midfielder Danny Jackman and defender Josh Gowling both have Football League experience with Gillingham, while forwards Michael Gash and Anthony Malbon are renowned goal-scorers at this level. Recent arrivals include midfielder Josh O’Keefe, a big money signing from Hereford, and striker Freddie Ladapo, who of course had a loan spell with the Cards earlier this season. Star-man Joe Lolley has gone however, having been signed by Huddersfield Town.
GETTING THERE
Aggborough Stadium
Hoo Road
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
DY10 1NB
Official website: www.harriers.co.uk
By coach
The Cards Trust mini-coach leaves Kingfield at 3.30pm. The cost is £16 for members and £21 for non-members. Ring or email the Club Shop (shop@wokingfc.co.uk) to book your place.
By car
Leave M5 at junction 4 (signposted A491 Stourbridge). After approximately 5 miles, turn left onto A456 and follow towards Kidderminster. At roundabout on Kidderminster Ring Road, take first exit (signposted A451 Stourport). At next roundabout, take first exit (signposted A448 Bromsgrove), then take first turning on right into Hoo Road for the ground. There is a car park (charge £5) behind the away section of the ground (the South Stand) and also at the Stadium Close car park (free).
By train
The ground is only a very short walk from Kidderminster Station. You would need to get a train up to Birmingham New Street, via Basingstoke or travelling from Euston, and then walk across to Birmingham Moor Street to pick up a train to Kidderminster. Look up www.trainline.com or www.nationalrail.co.uk for some options. You would not be able to get back to Woking the same evening, though.
Kidderminster’s website gives the following directions from the station: “Walk down Comberton Hill towards the town centre and take the left turning just before Motorway Tyres near the bottom of the hill. Walk up Hoo Road for approximately half a mile to the Aggborough Stadium.� But there is a shortcut if you take the first turning on the left after leaving the station entrance on Comberton Hill; this leads to the public car park in Stadium Close.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults: £14
Over 60s, Under 18s & Students: £8
Under 16s: £5
Under 5s: Free (standing or sitting)
£3 extra to sit for all but Under 5s.
Away supporters can stand in the South Stand or sit in Blocks L and M in the East Stand.
Aggborough is renowned for its hearty food, so arrive with a good appetite!
LAST TIME OUT
Woking 1 Kidderminster Harriers 0
10 December 2013
Garry Hill stuck with the same side that had won 4-3 at Halifax at the weekend and was rewarded with another fine win. Woking’s breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Keiran Murtagh played a great ball out to Kevin Betsy, who dribbled along the wing before cutting back for Scott Rendell to fire home. The Cards had the better of the chances in the remainder of the game but could not grab a second goal.
Woking: Sam Beasant, Mark Ricketts (Adam Newton 50), Joe McNerney, Mike Cestor, John Nutter, Kevin Betsy, Keiran Murtagh, Josh Payne, Charles Banya, Jack Marriott (Brett Johnson 84), Scott Rendell
Unused subs: Aaron Howe, Giuseppe Sole, John Goddard
Goal: Scott Rendell 64
Bookings: John Nutter 56, Josh Payne 78
Kidderminster Harriers: Daniel Lewis, Lee Vaughan, Mickey Demetriou, Cheyenne Dunkley, Michael Gash (Nathan Blissett 79), Anthony Malbon (Marvin Johnson 79), Danny Jackman, Callum Gittings, Joe Lolley, Amari Morgan-Smith, Josh Gowling
Unused subs: Jamie Grimes, James Dance, Nathan Vaughan
Bookings: Amari Morgan-Smith 71, Lee Vaughan 78, Cheyenne Dunkley 80
Attendance: 1,166
NEXT GAME
The Cards are away to Barnet this Saturday, 1 March, followed by a home game, against Southport, on Saturday 8 March.
Come on, you Cards!
