Wrexham v Woking
3pm on Saturday 30 August 2014

The Cards have yet to experience any joy in their visits to the Racecourse Ground but hopes must be high, after their exhilarating 6-1 defeat of Dover Athletic on Monday, that Saturday’s visit will put that right. However, the Dragons have made a promising start to the season and can be expected to provide the stiffest test yet for Garry Hill’s unbeaten side.

WOKING

After frustrating performances against Dartford, Macclesfield and Welling, when dominance, especially early in games, wasn’t reflected in the scoreline, it all came right against Dover. An early goal was just what was needed – and the floodgates soon opened. The changes Garry Hill made to the formation all seemed to work as intended, although there were a few anxious moments in defence – which will have to be improved upon at Wrexham. There is no doubt, though, that this side has the ability to break their duck at the Racecourse Ground.

Aaron Howe will presumably start in goal again following the unfortunate injury Jake Cole suffered on his debut.

WREXHAM

The Dragons finished in a lowly 17th place last season – a hugely disappointing outcome for a club of Wrexham’s stature.

Wrexham sit a couple of places, and one point, above Woking in the table by virtue of their three wins, one draw and one defeat to date:

Dartford 1 Wrexham 2
Wrexham 0 Gateshead 3
Wrexham 1 Nuneaton Town 0
Alfreton Town 2 Wrexham 3
Wrexham 2 Macclesfield Town 2

Like Woking, the Dragons have probably had a relatively easy start to the season. Indeed, three out of five opponents have been the same: Dartford, Alfreton and Macclesfield. The obvious exception is Wrexham’s home game versus play-off finalists Gateshead in which they suffered a decisive defeat. Make of that what you will!

Kevin Wilkin, the former Nuneaton manager, who joined Wrexham in January this year, returned to his former club in the summer to prise from them star striker Louis Moult and pacy left-winger Wes York. His other big signing up front was Connor Jennings, who shone on loan at Macclesfield last season, scoring 18 goals before injury forced his return to Scunthorpe. A loan spell at Grimsby Town followed but when he was released by Scunthorpe in the summer it was Wrexham who managed to secure his signature. Moult and Jennings join Andy Bishop in vying for striking places.

Two significant signings in defence were those of Blaine Hudson, who enjoyed a successful season-long loan at Welling United last season from parent club Cambridge United, and Manny Smith, with bags of League experience with Notts County and Walsall. Hudson, at 6’4�, is a particular threat at set pieces.

Elliott Durrell, Wilkin’s first signing, from Hednesford Town, sounds like someone else to watch, having impressed in midfield.

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 £24 for Trust members and £29 for non-members. Ring the Club Shop (01483 772470) or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk to book your place.

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

The 11.10 train from Euston would get you to Chester at 13.13, from where you can pick up the 13.30, arriving at Wrexham at 13.46. If you wanted to leave it later, the 12.10 would get you to Wrexham at 14.34. Wrexham General station is next to the ground. There are trains back at 17.03 and 18.03, both involving changes at Chester and Crewe, with the former getting you to Euston at 20.05 and the latter at 21.20. There is also a train at 17.44, with changes at Wolverhampton and Stafford, which would get you to Euston at 21.16.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults: £19
Over 62 and under 21: £14
Over 80 and under 16: £7
Under 11s: £1

There is a saving of £2 on Adult, Over 62 and U21 tickets if they are bought in advance online or by phoning the ticket office. Look up the Wrexham website and click on ‘ticket prices’ for more details.

LAST SEASON

Wrexham 2 Woking 0
19 October 2013

The Cards went into this game on the back of a win and three draws in their previous three league games but this defeat left them still rooted in the bottom four. Against a Wrexham side itself lacking confidence, the Cards under-performed in the first half, looking flat, and conceded the lead in the 21st minute when Dean Keates fired through a crowded penalty area past the unsighted Beasant.

Having been given some stern ‘advice’ by Garry Hill at half-time, the Cards were much brighter in the second half, with Cestor unlucky to see his header cannon off the bar. But they couldn’t force an equaliser and, in the last minute of full time, Joe Clarke made the game safe for the Dragons as he slotted home past Beasant following an enterprising run down the right.

Woking 2 Wrexham 1
29 March 2014

It was a much more confident Woking side which took on the Dragons in the return fixture, Garry Hill’s side having beaten Luton Town away in a tremendous televised performance twelve days previously, their third successive league win. Scott Rendell gave the Cards a deserved lead in the 20th minute, in front of a crowd of over 2,000, after Jack Marriott’s lobbed effort, on a counter-attack, fell kindly for him at the far post. But Wrexham equalised two minutes later, Johnny Hunt seizing on the rebound after Aaron Howe had palmed away a shot.

The impressive Joey Jones, in for the suspended Josh Payne in midfield, scored the winner in the 57th minute, swivelling cleverly and firing home after Kevin Betsy’s effort had been blocked. Gez Sole, making his 250th appearance, saw his free-kick hit the bar as Woking continued to have the better of the encounter.

NEXT GAME

The Cards are at home next Saturday (6 September) to Lincoln City, who have made a strong start to the season. Please come along if you possibly can to support the side. The game will also mark the opening of the new Geoff Chapple Lounge.

Come on, you Cards!