Weston-super-Mare v Woking
7.45pm on Tuesday 8 March 2011

Expectations are so high now at Kingfield that Saturday’s draw against Farnborough seemed like a defeat, especially with the equaliser coming deep into injury time. With ground still to make up to reach the play-off places, the Cards have got to shrug off the disappointment of not managing to see the game out and aim to get back on winning ways at Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday evening in spite of the obvious tiredness of some players. And then do it again at Thurrock next Saturday!

WOKING

By the Cards’ own recent very high standards Saturday’s performance was a bit below par, with the front men in particular all looking a little jaded. The play-makers, Davies and Murtagh, were also given a hard time with some robust Boro’ tackling. Even so, the Cards created the better chances and ought probably to have made the game safe long before the end with a second goal. But Woking are only four points off 5th place and there are 12 games to go, so there is still ample opportunity to grab a play-off spot.

The superb centre-back partnership of Joe McNerney and Adam Doyle will be broken up in the next three games, though, as Joe begins his three-match suspension following his dismissal at Maidenhead. Presumably, Reiss Noel will partner Adam, with Ricky Anane remaining at right back. Of the two latest signings we saw Nathan Koranteng come on against Farnborough, taking up the left flank role whilst Moses Ademola moved to the right side, Craig Dobson having been the one to make way. But there was no sign of James Walker.

There are three other important games on Tuesday night. Hampton and Richmond are at home to Chelmsford City; Eastleigh receive Bromley and Staines Town host Ebbsfleet United. It would be particularly helpful if the Beavers could take points off Chelmsford, who’ve now slipped to fifth place.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE

The Seagulls are doing better in the league than most people would have expected, currently lying in 10th place with 40 points from 32 games Their home record is good, with 9 wins, 3 draws and only 4 defeats and with 26 goals scored and 15 conceded. That record includes an astonishing 7-0 defeat of Bromley.

The Seagulls have a reputation for playing some attractive football this season under manager Craig Laird, who has done wonders with a very tight budget and a lot of young players. They have a strong central defensive partnership in Craig Rand and Matt Villis, and keeper Lloyd Irish has been in good form. On Saturday they won at home, 2-1, against St Albans City. Their recent results, starting with that game have been:

Weston-s-Mare 2 St Albans City 1
Welling United 1 Weston-s-Mare 0
Weston-s-Mare 3 Bishop’s Stortford 1
Dover Athletic 0 Weston-s-Mare 1
Weston-s-Mare 0 Dartford 1
Dorchester 1 Weston-s-Mare 0

LAST SEASON

Weston-super-Mare 1 Woking 1
18 August 2009

In the heady, optimistic days of August 2009 the Cards travelled to Weston-super-Mare full of confidence but couldn’t turn all their pressure into goals. Shortly after half-time they found themselves a goal down after Ashan Holgate’s great strike but Harry Arter rescued a point. The game marked Craig Watkins’s debut for the Cards.

Woking 2 Weston-super-Mare 1
28 December 2009

With Weston really struggling in the league, this should have been an easy three points for the Cards. They had a great start as Matthew Wright netted with a perfect header in the 2nd minute but then struggled, as so often at Kingfield, to turn superiority into goals in spite of creating numerous openings. Weston drew level in the second half as the ball zipped off a Woking defender’s header past Worner, but Wright eventually made sure of three points with another excellent header from a cross from his fellow Crystal Palace loanee, Nathaniel Pinney.

GETTING THERE

Woodspring Stadium
Winterstoke Rd
Weston-Super-Mare
North Somerset
BS24 9AA

By coach

Due to poor take-up of coach places for previous midweek away games the Supporters’ Club is not running a coach to this match.

By car

Head for the M4, leaving at J20 to join the M5. Leave M5 at J21 (Weston-super-Mare) and make your way towards the town centre. Follow the dual carriageway through three roundabouts and into a long straight road. You should see some large DIY stores in front. Keep left. At the 4th roundabout turn left by Blockbusters and go straight (2nd exit) at the small roundabout. Carry on along the road and over the small railway bridge. Keep looking right as you are almost there. When entering the ground you will see the offices at the front with adequate free parking for cars and coaches.

The AA gives the journey as 124 miles, with an estimated journey time of just under two and a half hours.

By train

Not an easy journey as John Moore found to his cost in attempting to attend the postponed game! And even harder to do now that it’s an evening game – in fact, it’s not possible to come back the same day. Getting there, you could take the 15.46 from Woking with changes at Basingstoke and Reading, arriving at 18.51. The 16.16 from Woking via Basingstoke, Reading and Bristol Parkway would get you to Weston at 18.59 but involves one more change and some tight connections.

The train station is about a 30-minute brisk walk from the ground. Come out of the station, using the exit and platform opposite the main entrance. Walk along till you come to a busy roundabout (you should see Aldi on your left). Walk across the roundabout and head towards Halfords. Walk to the right of it, following the road through the shopping area which includes Comet, Currys and Pets at Home. Keep walking till you go past the Kentucky Fried Chicken drive-through and see a roundabout beyond it. Walk past that and up to a mini-roundabout. Turn right at the mini-roundabout and carry on walking over the railway bridge and the ground is on your right-hand side.

No doubt you can get a taxi from the station if you don’t fancy the walk or haven’t got the time.


Come on, you Cards!

P.S. 1. Cards Trust and Supporters’ Club members – don’t forget the meeting this (Monday) evening with Chris Ingram. 2.The reserves are at home to Uxbridge on Tuesday evening, 7.30pm kick-off. 3. There’s Crack Comedy again on Friday evening.