3:00pm - SaturdaySat 19th NovemberNov 2022
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 2020

Woking

1 - 1

Altrincham

Match Preview | Cards aiming to continue National League winning run

Glen Harrington
9:16am, Sat 19th Nov 2022

Woking vs Altrincham
Vanarama National League
Saturday 19th November 2022

Woking will be aiming to bounce back from FA Cup disappointment when they host Altrincham in their latest National League encounter on Saturday.

The Cards did themselves proud against League One Oxford United on Wednesday, enduring awful weather conditions to push the tier three side to their limit, scoring a fine goal through Rohan Ince and coming close with several chances to force a replay. Sadly, it wasn’t to be, but Darren Sarll’s side can now turn their attentions back to continuing their excellent league form – which has seen them win four games in a row without conceding and lose just one of the last ten, with that sole loss coming against title-chasing Notts County.

Sarll should have a nearly fully-fit squad to call upon for this game – Luke Wilkinson and Ricky Korboa are the only players currently sidelined, but neither are thought to be far from a return. Sid Nelson and Tyreke Johnson have also returned from their loan spells at Welling United and Dagenham & Redbridge respectively, although the former picked up a minor knock in his last outing and isn’t yet ready for a return. Bryant Bilongo remains with the club with his loan expiring next week.

Opposition Watch

The Robins are in their third season back in the National League following promotion via the play-offs from National League North in 2020, their second promotion in three years, following successive relegations in 2016 and 2017. Manager Phil Parkinson, who has been in charge since April 2017 and masterminded their return through the leagues, has been entrusted with taking the club full-time this season as he looks to build on last year’s 14th place finish.

The shift to full-time has meant a huge turnover in players for the club, with 15 of last season’s squad leaving on free transfers, and over 20 new players coming in. Notable additions include England C international defender Lewis Baines from Chorley, Stockport pair Elliot Newby and Connor Jennings, plus former AFC Wimbledon winger Egli Kaja. They also kept hold of key players such as Elliot Osborne and Ryan Colclough.

It was a slow start to the season for the Robins, who didn’t taste victory until their tenth league game, but have now won five of their last ten, moving them up to 17th in the table, with 21 points from 19 matches. Last time out they beat York City 2-1, ending a three-game losing streak. Their top scorers this season are Colclough, Marcus Dinanga and Chris Conn-Clarke, who have four apiece.

Recent Meetings

• Altrincham 2-2 Woking – 5th February 2022, National League (Effiong, Lofthouse)
• Woking 3-2 Altrincham – 30th October 2021, National League (Kretzschmar, Effiong, Campbell)
• Woking 1-1 Altrincham – 16th March 2021, National League (Lofthouse)
• Altrincham 1-0 Woking – 2nd March 2021, National League
• Altrincham 3-1 Woking – 26th January 2016, National League (Sole)

Tickets

When pre-purchased, ticket prices are £20 for Adults, £15 for Concessions, £12 for Next-Gen and £5 for Under 16s. Tickets bought on the gate on the day are charged at an additional £2.

For more information and to book your ticket please click here.

Match Report | Cardinals Battle to Earn Point

Benjamin Parker
5:51pm, Tue 22nd Nov 2022

Woking 1 Altrincham 1
Vanarama National League
19th November 2022

Fatigued from their midweek Emirates FA Cup clash with Oxford United, Woking managed to earn a valuable point against Altrincham thanks to an injury time stunner from Padraig Amond.

Woking got settled on the ball early on with some fine moves down both sides. A shot was blocked by Lewis Baines which saw penalty shouts around the ground, but the referee waved play on.

The first big chance went the way of the home side when Kyran Lofthouse fired the ball across to the back stick; Reece Grego-Cox was within inches of poking it home but couldn’t get any contact.

Around the 20-minute mark, the Robins started going more direct. Elliott Newby had a left-footed shot blocked from close range resulting in a half-volley from distance by Toby Mullarkey going just over the bar.

Jim Kellermann was forced off early due to injury. Rhys Browne entered the field in a change of formation from Darren Sarll.

Alty had a great effort when Ryan Colclough cut inside, but his shot hit the face of the crossbar via a deflection.

Half-time: Woking 1-1 Altrincham

Altrincham came out fast in the second half when Colclough cut inside and forced a stunning save from Craig Ross.

The Robins took the lead when a good, clipped ball by Colclough found the head of Newby who timed his header to loop it over and into the net. 0-1.

The visitors had momentum but the Cards stood firm to prevent further damage. Chris Conn-Clarke used his tricky feet to get a shot off and test Ross, but he made another good save.

Substitute Amond was introduced shortly after and flipped the game back into Woking’s favour.

Jermaine Anderson shot from range and forced a save from Oliver Byrne shortly after the substitution. Byrne was at it again after another strike from range, this time it was Grego-Cox trying the level the score.

The fourth official indicated six additional minutes and after Anderson was brought down, The Cards won a free kick, around 20 yards out. Up stepped Amond, who beautifully curled the ball outside the wall and it went directly into the top right-hand corner. An absolute pearler from the Irishman who saved his side in injury time. 1-1.

Full-time: Woking 1-1 Altrincham

Woking are now seven league games unbeaten and find themselves in fourth. The Cards keep an eight-point gap to eighth and have four-point gap to fifth.

Woking Starting XI: Ross, Moss, Cuthbert, McNerney, Casey, Ince (75), Anderson, Kellermann (25), Lofthouse (55), Daly, Grego-Cox

Subs: Vokins, Roles (75), Johnson, Browne (25), Amond (55)

Altrincham Starting XI: Byrne, E. Jones, Marriott, Mullarkey, Baines, Lundstram, Colclough, Conn-Clarke (69), J. Jones, Newby, Jennings

Subs: Hulme, Osborne (69), Jackson, Cooper, Dinanga

Attendance: 2,020

Man of the Match: As selected by our match sponsors, Lexus Guildford, Scott Cuthbert

WOKING LINEUP
13	Craig Ross
12	Dan Moss
3	Josh Casey
4	Scott Cuthbert
5	Joe McNerney
24	Rohan Ince ('75)
17	Jim Kellermann ('25)
2	Kyran Lofthouse ('55)
8	James Daly
23	Jermaine Anderson
9	Reece Grego-Cox
BENCH
29	Jake Vokins
18	Jack Roles ('75)
11	Tyreke Johnson
14	Rhys Browne ('25)
10	Padraig Amond ('55)

Altrincham LINEUP
1	Oliver Byrne
2	Eddy Jones
26	James Jones
5	Toby Mullarkey
6	Lewis Baines
4	Isaac Marriott
8	Josh Lundstram
16	Chris Conn-Clarke ('69)
28	Elliot Newby
11	Ryan Colclough
35	Connor Jennings
BENCH
23	Jake Cooper
10	Elliot Osborne ('69)
17	Brad Jackson
9	Jordan Hulme
30	Marcus Dinanga