FA Cup (R2)

2:00pm - SundaySun 4th DecemberDec 2016
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 3718

Woking

0 - 3

Accrington Stanley

Cards seek cup glory

Brian Caffarey
7:48am, Fri 2nd Dec 2016

Woking v Accrington Stanley
Emirates FA Cup 2nd Round
2pm on Sunday 4 December 2016

The prize money of Â£27k for the winners of this tie, and of course potentially a much bigger pay-out in the Third Round, is a huge incentive for both teams on Sunday. With reduced admission prices, including FREE entry for U16s, the Club is hoping for a big turnout from Woking fans. Spread the word and bring your family and friends to the Laithwaite Community Stadium to cheer the Cards on to a Third Round tie! But take note that it is a 2pm kick-off.

WOKING

The Cards have reached this stage as follows:

4th Qualifying Round: Torquay United 1 Woking 1
4th Qualifying Round Replay: Woking 2 Torquay United 1
1st Round Proper: Stockport County 2 Woking 4

The Cards havenâ€™t reached the Second Round since 2005-06.

The sideâ€™s confidence will have been boosted by Tuesday nightâ€™s 2-1 win over Bromley: the Cardsâ€™ third win in their last four league games. A weakened side battled hard to gain a hugely important victory, which left the club three points above the relegation places. Gozie Ugwu scored his ninth goal in the last six league and FA Cup games, while Fabio Saraiva scored another â€˜piledriverâ€™ from midfield.

Garry Hill will have Joey Jones available after his one-match suspension and may be tempted to start Ismail Yakubu in defence for such an important game. Other players coming into contention may include Dennon Lewis and Nathan Ralph. Frazer Shaw, likely to start at left back, joined Accrington in the summer but left without making an appearance.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY

Accringtonâ€™s manager, John Coleman, is now in his second stint at the club which he originally led from the Unibond North league in 1999 to promotion to the Football League in 2006. To cap that, he then achieved a higher place finish each year in League 2, culminating in reaching the play-offs in 2011, where they lost to Stevenage. After brief spells at Rochdale and Sligo Rovers Coleman returned to Accrington in September 2014, leading them to the play-offs again last season, where they were defeated by AFC Wimbledon. Colemanâ€™s achievements are especially remarkable when you consider the low gates the club attracts in comparison with its rivals. Coleman is a great motivator of his sides, commenting recently that, if his team couldnâ€™t win, he nevertheless expected them to be â€˜carried out on their shieldsâ€™. He is also a fan of the FA Cup, crediting Stanleyâ€™s FA Cup runs as laying the foundation for full-time football at the club and, ultimately, promotion to the Football League.

This season Stanley started promisingly but have recently hit a poor patch in the league, losing four games in a row and failing to score before, last Saturday, drawing 1-1 at home to Yeovil with an injury-time equaliser. They now sit in 20th place in League 2, with 21 points from 19 games. Away from home in the league, they have won two, drawn three and lost four. Games have tended to be tight, with only seven goals scored and ten conceded. In the FA Cup they had an excellent 2-1 win at Bradford City in the First Round Proper.

Most of Accringtonâ€™s squad were recruited in the summer. Notable exceptions, however, are striker Billy Kee, in his second spell at the club, having scored 17 goals last season; midfielder and captain Seamus Conneely, who was with Coleman at Sligo Rovers; Sean McConville, a midfielder who is also in his second spell at the club and who has turned out for a number of League and Conference sides; defender Matty Pearson, formerly with FC Halifax Town; Terry Gornell, a striker in his third spell at the club; and Scott Brown, an experienced midfielder who was with Coleman at Southport.

Among the summer signings were Rommy Boco, an attacking midfielder and Benin international, joining the club for his third stint, who has bags of experience in the League and Conference as well as in India and China. Boco was in the last Accrington side to play at Kingfield over 10 years ago (see below). Other arrivals included keeper Elliot Parish from Colchester United; Martin Hughes, a centre back with over 200 Football League appearances to his credit, most recently with Stevenage; Arron Davies, a former Welsh international midfielder, whose previous clubs include Nottingham Forest and Bolton; defender Omar Beckles, with Aldershot Town last season; midfielder Jordan Clark, who made 26 appearances for Shrewsbury last season; midfielder Bastien Henry, who started his career in the PSG Academy before joining Sheffield Wednesday, Rochdale and Carlisle; defender Callam Jones, a 20 year-old loanee from WBA; Paddy Lacey, a midfielder from Barrow; Luke Wall, a wing back from Blackburn Rovers; and midfielder Steven Hewett, originally with Burnley. Defender Zak Vyner is on loan from Bristol City and midfielder John Oâ€™Sullivan is on loan from Blackburn Rovers.

However, Stanleyâ€™s best-known player is striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher, signed on non-contract terms in October. Taylor-Fletcher, 35, was at Tranmere Rovers last season and has previously played for Blackpool in the Premiership.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults/Concessions Â£10
U16s FREE

The gates and Cardinals Bar open at 12 noon. The game will be segregated with Accrington fans allocated the (uncovered) Chris Lane terrace and part of the (seated) Leslie Gosden Stand.

If a replay is needed it is likely to take place on Tuesday 13 December.

EMIRATES FA CUP

If Woking make it through to the Third Round, all Cards fans will be glued to BT Sport or BBC2 on Monday when, at about 7.10pm, the draw will be made. Ties will be played on the first weekend (5th-8th) in January.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Donâ€™t forget that Sundayâ€™s matchday programme will contain a voucher giving priority for the purchase of tickets if the Cards make it through to the Third Round.

LAST TIME WE MET

Woking 0 Accrington Stanley 1
Nationwide Conference
15 April 2006

This win assured Accrington of the Conference championship and promotion to the Football League. In the away fixture, in September 2005, Stanley had also come out on top, winning 2-1.

The only goal of the game was scored eight minutes before the break by legendary Accrington striker Paul Mullin. The Cards passed up an opportunity to level the scores in the second half when the Accrington keeper saved Justin Richardsâ€™s spot kick â€“ and then saved again when the kick was ordered to be re-taken.

The Cards went on to lose to Grays Athletic in the FA Trophy Final at West Ham.

Woking: Jalal, Jackson, Nethercott, Hutchinson, MacDonald, Oyedele, Smith (Buari 80), Murray, McAllister, Ferguson, Richards.
Subs Not Used: El-Salahi, Blackman, Liam Cockerill, Davies.

Accrington Stanley: Elliot, Cavanagh, Welch, Edwards, Richardson, Todd, Williams, Boyd (Jagielka 76), Roberts, Mullin, Boco (Mangan 68).
Subs Not Used: Alcock, Brown, Ventre.

Goals: Mullin 38.

Attendance: 2,665

COMING UP

On Saturday 10 December 2016 the Cards travel to Ebbsfleet United in the FA Trophy. They are then at home to Guiseley on Saturday 17 December.

Come on, you Cards!

Cards fail to rise to the occasion

Brian Caffarey
8:20pm, Sun 4th Dec 2016

Woking 0 Accrington Stanley 3
Emirates FA Cup Second Round
4 December 2016

The Cardsâ€™ big day came and a crowd of over 3,700 heeded the cry to get behind the side but the occasion proved to be a huge anti-climax. Woking failed to make their early advantage pay against a side which looked short of confidence and ideas. The Woking defence then parted for a cross, Billy Kee diverting via a deflection. A rush of blood to the head saw Charlie Carter sent off and a second goal was conceded before half-time. That looked like â€˜game overâ€™ and so it certainly proved, with Woking offering little after the break and Accrington easing through, contenting themselves with adding one more goal.

Garry Hill started with a back five of Caprice, Saah, Yakubu, Thomas and Shaw; a midfield of Saraiva, Carter and Jones; and with Ugwu and Lewis up front. Keiran Murtagh was a surprise addition on the bench but was presumably not really fit and didnâ€™t come on even though he was clearly sorely missed in a midfield which, Jones excepted, hardly got going.

Woking started brightly and ought to have taken the lead in the second minute when Dennon Lewis, played through with only the keeper to beat, dragged his shot wide with the goal gaping in front of him. Later on, as the game went decisively in Accringtonâ€™s favour, one couldnâ€™t help wondering how it might have turned out if that chance had been taken.

The Cards proceeded to look the more threatening side, with Jake Caprice showing signs that, in spite of being heavily marked, he might be able to create chances for the in-form Gozie Ugwu. At the other end Hall dealt easily with a free-kick floated in and, after a bit of a scramble, Yakubu booted a cross clear.

On the quarter hour mark some concerted pressure saw Saraivaâ€™s cross cleared before Caprice put the ball back in, Carter and then Ugwu nearly profiting.

More Woking attacking play followed as Capriceâ€™s cross from a swift counter-attack was blocked, followed shortly by a foray down the other flank which saw Carterâ€™s effort saved by the visiting keeper.

Accrington made their first real incision on 26 minutes, with Jordan Clark getting behind the right of the Woking defence but shooting straight at Hall. Home hopes were reinforced by calm defending from Terell Thomas â€“ along with Jones, probably Wokingâ€™s standout performer â€“ and some clever play by Caprice. But those hopes were instantly deflated when, on 34 minutes, the predatory Billy Kee netted via a deflection after a cross and a scramble in the box.

The Cardsâ€™ task became infinitely more difficult two minutes later with Carterâ€™s dismissal. One high-ish tackle was instantly followed by another and the referee, surrounded by baying Accrington players, produced a red card. Video replays will no doubt show if the crucial tackle was really that heinous.

The Cards had a let-off on 41 minutes when John Oâ€™Sullivan got clear on the right of the Woking area and passed across but none of his team mates was there. But a minute later the tie was effectively all over as Accrington grabbed a second goal. Once more, a low cross came in. Kee got ahead of Yakubu and steered the ball past Hall.

Half-time: Woking 0 Accrington Stanley 2

There is very little to say about the second half from a Woking perspective. The visitors made the most of their two-goal lead and one-man advantage, enjoying a lot of possession as they passed the ball around at the back, inviting the Woking players to come on to them and to leave even bigger gaps in midfield and defence. In practice the Cards seemed unable to exert any pressure and Accrington enjoyed a virtually carefree half, with their keeper not having to make a single save.

Garry Hill brought on Delano Sam-Yorke, who added a bit of energy, and, later, Frankie Sutherland and then Anthony Edgar but none of them was able to make any significant difference to what (it was abundantly clear) was a lost cause.

Accrington squandered several decent chances to add to their goal tally before, in the 61st minute, counter-attacking down Wokingâ€™s right after Caprice was caught up field, Oâ€™Sullivan clinically headed home in spite of Yakubuâ€™s attentions.

Apart from a couple of bursts down the right by Sam-Yorke and the odd blocked effort from outside the area Woking presented virtually no threat, while Accrington proceeded to use the ball intelligently, creating quite a few openings but failing to capitalise.

The overriding feeling at the end of the game was that this was a huge opportunity squandered against a side that can hardly have believed their luck to have won so comfortably. The Cards will have to play a lot better at Ebbsfleet next Saturday if they are to make progress in the FA Trophy, although survival in the Conference National now has to be the overwhelming priority.

Woking: Brandon Hall, Jake Caprice, Brian Saah, Ismail Yakubu (Anthony Edgar 72), Terell Thomas, Frazer Shaw (Frankie Sutherland 70) Joey Jones, Charlie Carter, Fabio Saraiva, Gozie Ugwu, Dennon Lewis (Delano Sam-Yorke 59)

Unused subs: Keiran Murtagh, Luke Kandi, Andy Little, Michael Poke

Sent off: Charlie Carter, 36

Booked: Ismail Yakubu

Accrington Stanley: Aaron Chapman, Matty Pearson, Mark Hughes, Omar Beckles, Jordan Clark, Scot Brown (Aaron Davies), Sean McConville, Patrick Lacey (Romuald Boco 58), John Oâ€™Sullivan, Seamus Conneely, Billy Kee (Terry Gornell 72)

Unused subs: Seamus McCarten, Steven Hewitt, Ross Sykes, Elliot Parish

Goals: Billy Kee 34 and 42; John Oâ€™Sullivan 61

Booked: Patrick Lacey

Sponsorsâ€™ (Surrey Tiles) MOTM: Joey Jones

Attendance: 3718

WOKING LINEUP
18	Brandon Hall
2	Jake Caprice
24	Frazer Shaw ('70)
3	Terell Thomas
5	Brian Saah
6	Ismail Yakubu ('72)
4	Joey Jones
12	Charlie Carter
14	Fabio Saraiva
16	Dennon Lewis ('59)
9	Gozie Ugwu
BENCH
1	Michael Poke
	Andy Little
8	Keiran Murtagh
23	Frankie Sutherland ('70)
19	Anthony Edgar ('72)
17	Delano Sam-Yorke ('59)
21	Chike Kandi