Seymours
3:00pm - SaturdaySat 16th NovemberNov 2019
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 2242

Woking
Woking
0 - 0

FC Halifax Town
FC Halifax Town

Cards looking to build on Stockport win after two-week break

Glen Harrington
7:41pm, Fri 15th Nov 2019
Woking vs FC Halifax Town
Vanarama National League
Saturday 16th November 2019


The Cards will look to make it back-to-back league wins this weekend when FC Halifax Town will be the visitors to the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Jake Hyde was the star of the show against Stockport County last time out as Woking’s leading scorer bagged at least two, arguably all three, of the goals in a much-needed 3-1 win – although rumour has it that Dave Tarpey is still refusing to speak to him over ‘that’ second goal! Joking aside, it was a win that Alan Dowson’s side sorely needed, putting to an end a run of two months without a victory in any competition – a streak of 13 games stretching back to the start of September. Despite the bad run of form, the Cards remain well-placed in the National League table, just outside of the play-off places on goal difference and still only five points adrift of league leaders Bromley – albeit both Yeovil and Barrow could go top by winning their respective games in hand.

Like Woking, Halifax’s fine start to the season came as something as a surprise, with the Shaymen sitting at the top of the table for much of the early part of the season. Their form has deteriorated slightly as of late, but they remain in third place with 35 points from their first 20 matches – one point behind Bromley. After being tipped by many as one of the favourites for relegation, particularly after the departure of manager Jamie Fullarton on the eve of the season, they stunned fans and bookmakers alike by picking up 22 points from their first nine games under new boss Pete Wild. Results have been harder to come by more recently with just two wins since the start of October – 1-0 wins at Maidenhead and Sutton – along with four defeats and a draw, but they remain firmly in the promotion conversation. Last time out they were beaten 4-2 by Torquay. Also like Woking, Halifax are coming into this game off the back of a two-week break, after being knocked out the FA Cup at the first hurdle by Harrogate Town last month.

This is our only Saturday home game this month so please do take the opportunity to come along if you possibly can and cheer on the team!

Woking Team News

There was plenty of speculation amongst supporters that Dowse might use the recent break to shake up his squad ahead of the festive fixtures but, at the time of writing, changes have remained minimal – reserve goalkeeper Sam Howes has departed on a temporary basis, joining National League South side Chelmsford City on loan, whilst midfielders Toby Edser and Mark Shelton have returned to their parent clubs after completing their loan spells with the Cards. We wish both players well for the future.

This means that Saturday’s line-up could remain similar to the one that faced Stockport a fortnight ago – Craig Ross in goal, a back four of Jack Cook, Josh Casey, Ben Gerring and Moussa Diarra, a midfield of Glen Rea, Shaun Donnellan and Kane Ferdinand, with Tarpey and Hyde joined by Jamar Loza in a front three.

Halifax Team News

In their defeat to Torquay the Shaymen lined up with Sam Johnson, signed from Port Vale after two loan spells with the club, in goal; in defence was Michael Duckworth, who has Football League experience with Hartlepool, the hugely experienced Nathan Clarke who’s best known for his time at Huddersfield and Leyton Orient, Jacob Hanson, signed in the summer from Bradford City, plus former Woking captain Josh Staunton.

In midfield was Liam Nolan, another recent addition, this time from Accrington Stanley, Jack Earing, a youngster previously with Bolton Wanderers, former Middlesbrough trainee Josh MacDonald, who’s been with the club since 2015, and new signing Charlie Cooper, who was previously with Forest Green Rovers. Up front was Tobi Sho-Silva, who has previously impressed at this level for Bromley, and the dangerous Liam McAlinden who has accumulated Football League experience with Wolves, Shrewsbury, Fleetwood and Exeter amongst others.

Admission Prices

• Adults £18
• Over 65s £13
• Disabled (Including carer) £13
• Students (Under 19) £5
• U16s £5

Tickets are available on the turnstiles or in advance online. Remember, our matchday programme will also be on sale for £3. Don’t forget to grab your copy on the way in! You’ll then be able to visit the club shop for more great offers.

Next Up

The Cards are away to Maidenhead United next Saturday before a Tuesday evening game at home to current table toppers Bromley three days later. Our November fixture list concludes at Boreham Wood in two weeks’ time.

Woking held to a draw against 10-man Halifax Town

Conor Faherty
12:00am, Sat 16th Nov 2019
Woking 0 FC Halifax Town 0
Vanarama National League
Saturday 16th November 2019


Woking had to settle for a point against 10-man Halifax Town after Nathan Clarke was shown a straight red card for the visitors.

It was a cold and rather gloomy afternoon at the Laithwaite with a very strong contingent of Cards fans in the crowd of 2,242, as they took on third place Halifax who had started the season very strongly.

The Cards were unchanged from their 3-1 victory away at Stockport which was their first win since August.

Both teams had not played for two weeks after being eliminated from the FA Cup before the first round and it was the away side who settled the quicker of the two teams. They began to knock the ball around confidently and a nice bit of play required Moussa Diarra to be alert and clear the danger for the Cards.

Woking grew into the game and had a mad couple of minutes in which they could have taken the lead. In the 20th minute Josh Casey had a corner which looked goal-bound; however, Halifax stopper Sam Johnson was able to clear it away before defender deflected the ball just past his own post.


Drama in the Halifax goalmouth; pic: David Holmes

Woking continued to come forward this time in Dave Tarpey. He collected the ball on the right-hand side produced a lovely bit of skill to beat the left back Jerome Binnon-Williams before fizzing a shot past the goalkeeper’s far post.

Halifax were struggling to find any end product. Some nice bits of play got them into threatening positions but shots from MacDonald and Sho-Silva respectively went flying over the crossbar.

The last bit of drama came just before half time. A poor Josh Casey free kick looked comfortable enough for Johnstone, but the goalkeeper dropped it causing a melee and Halifax were just about able to get it away.

Half Time: Woking 0 FC Halifax Town 0

Woking started the brighter of the two teams in the second half but chances were at a minimum. Woking attacked well but a very well drilled Halifax side kept them at arm’s length.

In the 65th minute the game took a turn. Halifax defender Nathan Clarke made a horrific two footed studs up challenge on Shaun Donnellan and was given a straight red card meaning it was a change in game plan for the away side.

But Woking really struggled to make the man advantage count. Max Kretzschmar who replaced Donnellan after that challenge had a shot saved by Johnstone before Ben Gerring saw his header denied a minute later.

In the 75th minute Jamar Loza was through on goal but his shot was gathered by the goalkeeper quite easily.

Halifax defended resolutely and their captain Matty Brown put in a perfect performance, clearing every cross and putting in vital tackles to hold onto a point.

Six minutes of added time came around because of the treatment to Donnellan and that brought Woking’s best chance. A corner came in and Jack Cook rose highest, it looked like his header was about to make the net ripple but Johnstone did excellently to tip it over the crossbar and secure his team a point.

A poor game in truth and Woking will be bitterly disappointed that they failed to score after playing around 30 minutes against 10 men. Credit must be given to Halifax who defended very well but Woking will be kicking themselves even more as the visitors failed to register a shot on target.

The point sees Woking remain in 8th and are only five points off top after Bromley were held to a draw against Harrogate. They will look to get back to winning ways in front of the BT Sport cameras away at Maidenhead next week.

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 2 Jack Cook, 3 Josh Casey ©, 6 Moussa Diarra, 5 Ben Gerring, 16 Shaun Donnellan (Max Kretzschmar 69), 23 Glen Rea (Paul Hodges 87), 8 Kane Ferdinand, 22 Jamar Loza, 7 Dave Tarpey, 9 Jake Hyde

Unused subs: 21 Christian Paulat-Brigg, 14 Godfrey Poku, 12 Nathan Collier

Goals: None

Bookings: Loza 59’

FC Halifax Town: 1 Sam Johnson, 5 Matty Brown ©, 4 Nathan Clarke, 2 Michael Duckworth, 10 Cameron King (Charlie Cooper 69’), 17 Josh McDonald (Jeff King 77’), 31 Niall Maher, 11 Tobi Sho-Silva, 21 Danny Williams, 14 Josh Staunton, 3 Jerome Binnon-Williams

Unused subs: 12 Will Appleyard, 6 Liam Nolan, 9 Dayle Southwell

Goals: None

Red Cards: Clarke 61’

Attendance: 2,242

Referee: Paul Howard

Sponsor’s Man of the match: Josh Casey
WOKING LINEUP
13Craig Ross
2Jack Cook
3Josh Casey
5Ben Gerring
6Moussa Diarra
23Glen Rea ('87)
16Shaun Donnellan ('70)
8Kane Ferdinand
22Jamar Loza
7Dave Tarpey
9Jake Hyde
BENCH
21Christian Paulat-Brigg
12Nathan Collier
14Godfrey Poku
11Paul Hodges ('87)
10Max Kretzschmar ('70)
FC Halifax Town LINEUP
1Sam Johnson
2Michael Duckworth
3Jerome Binnom-Williams
4Nathan Clarke
5Matthew Brown
14Josh Staunton
31Niall Maher
17Josh MacDonald ('78)
21Danny Williams
10Cameron King ('69)
11Tobi Sho-Silva
BENCH
12Will Appleyard
6Liam Nolan
20Jeff King ('78)
22Charlie Cooper ('69)
9Dayle Southwell

Woking 0 - 0 FC Halifax Town | Dowse Interview

Woking 0 - 0 FC Halifax Town | Josh Casey Interview

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