Match Preview | New-look Cards aiming to learn from harsh Swindon lesson

Farnborough vs Woking
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 16th July 2022

Woking will look to get their pre-season campaign back on track on Saturday as they make the short trip to visit newly promoted National League South side Farnborough.

Darren Sarll’s new-look Cards were taught a harsh lesson in finishing by League Two promotion chasers Swindon Town on Tuesday evening, as last season’s beaten play-off semi-finalists from the fourth tier ran out comfortable 4-0 winners, with two goals coming in each half at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

It wasn’t all bad news for Woking, who had plenty of chances of their own, but were punished by an impressive Swindon side who’s goalscorers included Harry McKirdy, third top scorer in League Two last season with 20, a former Premier League midfielder and Welsh international in Jonny Williams, and experienced EFL midfielder Ben Gladwin.

Woking’s line-up reverted to something close to full-strength after experimentation against Arsenal, with a back four of Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, and Luke Wilkinson ahead of Craig Ross, a midfield of Jermaine Anderson, Rohan Ince and Jack Roles, with Reece Grego-Cox and James Daly wide of Padraig Amond. There were four trialists amongst the substitutes. There will be at least one new face in the squad on Saturday however, with the Cards having added former Millwall, Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town centre-back Sid Nelson to their squad on Wednesday.

Farnborough are preparing for their first season in the sixth tier since the 2014/15 season. Last season they finished third in the Southern League Premier Division South, before beating Metropolitan Police and Hayes & Yeading United in the play-offs to win promotion.

Their squad, which continues to be coached by long-serving manager Spencer Day (with the club since 2011), includes several familiar names, including former Woking players Paul Hodges and Reggie Young. This summer they have also added veteran Sutton United midfielder Kenny Davis and Aldershot Town centre-back Kevin Lokko. They also boast former Northampton, Charlton, and Sheffield United winger Ricky Holmes.

So far in pre-season they have comfortably beaten Cove (9-0) and Badshot Lea (7-0), before defeats to Dorking Wanderers (5-2) and AFC Wimbledon (2-0). They start their league campaign away to Hemel Hempstead Town on 6th August.

Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £8 for concessions, and £3 for Under-16s.