MKJ Group
3:00pm - SaturdaySat 9th MarchMar 2024
The J. Davidson Stadium | Att: 2138

Altrincham
Altrincham
0 - 1

Woking
Woking

Match Preview and Guide | Altrincham (A)

William Bewsey
12:26pm, Thu 7th Mar 2024
Altrincham vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 7th March 2024
15:00 Kick-Off



Woking are back on the road on Saturday when they travel to the J Davidson Stadium to take on Altrincham.

After Tuesday night’s late success over Kidderminster, Woking registered back-to-back wins for the first time since August, and back-to-back home wins for the first time this season. They will also be boosted by the return of Jermaine Anderson from suspension, and Michael Doyle will be hopeful that Timi Odusina can recover from the illness that saw him unable to play on Tuesday.


Opposition Watch
Phil Parkinson has established Altrincham in the National League following promotion in the 2020 playoffs from the National League North, and following a tame end to proceedings last season, his Alty side were sitting pretty in fourth place going into February, with eyes on second and third placed sides Bromley and Barnet.

However, a run of five straight defeats has dented their chances of a home playoff tie, although this run ended with victory over Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday night. Two early goals from Alty were enough in the end despite a Regan Linney red card and the Wanderers pulling a goal back in the second half.

This leaves Alty currently sitting just outside the top seven with 55 points from 36 games, having scored 64 and conceded 52. Only three sides have scored more goals than Alty, and their talisman, Chris Conn-Clarke has only been outscored by four players, an impressive feat considering he is a versatile attacking midfielder.

With Linney on 9 for the season, including two against the Cards last time out, as well as a goal against them last season too, it’s a big blow for Alty to have him suspended as they aim to fire themselves back into those playoff places.


Last Time Out
Alty were victorious at the Laithwaite in August, winning 3-2 despite goals from Reece Grego-Cox and Scott Cuthbert.

Last season, Marcus Dackers' opener for the Cards wasn't enough at the J Davidson, as Alty ran out as 3-1 victors in February 2023. The reverse fixture at the Laithwaite in November 2022 ended 1-1 thanks to a stoppage time free kick from Padraig Amond.

Since 2005, the sides have faced off 19 times, with Woking winning nine times, Alty six times and four draws.

Around the Ground
Woking fans will be allocated the Hale End Terrace behind the goal, which is open, and some seats in the Carole Nash Main Stand.
Away supporters will be able to purchase tickets online here.

Ticket prices are as follows:
£20 Adults
£15 Concessions (Over 65 / NHS / Student)
£9 Junior (12-18yrs)
£4 Child (5-11yrs)
£1 Infant (Under 5s)

Although fans are advised to purchase tickets in advance online, there will be the option to pay by cash at the turnstiles on the day, with an ATM available opposite the ground at the convenience store.

There are food and drink vendors in the away end as well as toilets. Altrincham town centre is full of pubs, and is a short 10 minute walk away.

Altrincham is also served by trains from Stockport and the Metrolink from Manchester Piccadilly.

Match Report | Cards make it three in a row with gutsy performance

William Bewsey
4:58pm, Sat 9th Mar 2024
Altrincham 0-1 Woking
Vanarama National League
9th March 2024

Michael Doyle was forced into several changes following the midweek win over Kidderminster. With Jayden Luker and Tunji Akinola injured, Luke Wilkinson benched and Max Dyche recalled by Northampton, in came Ricky Korboa, Timi Odusina, Dion Kelly-Evans and Jermaine Anderson.

Alty were also forced into a change, with Regan Linney suspended. The striker, who had bagged three times in his previous two games against the Cards, was replaced by former Barrow and Wrexham talisman Dior Angus.

New signing Kevin Berkoe on loan from Salford and the recently recalled Alfie Pavey joined Josh Smith, Paul Osew and Wilkinson on the bench.

After an opening ten minutes in which the Cards looked to be disrupting Alty’s passing game, a superb save from Will Jaaskelainen tipped Chris Conn-Clarke’s free kick from just outside the box behind for a corner. It looked to be destined for the top corner, but the Finn managed to claw the ball behind and took a hit to the head in the process from colliding with the post.

Good play from Anderson down the right hand side saw him send a low ball into the area, and Charley Kendall nearly met it at the back post for a tap-in. It took until the 38th minute for another chance, when a low cross from Anderson was spilt by Ethan Ross, and a few last-gasp tackles from Alty were needed to stop Curtis Edwards from converting into the empty net.

That was it from a pretty drab half, with Woking looking comfortable and occasionally threatening.

Half-time: Altrincham 0-0 Woking

The first notable moment in the second half came when Alex Newby’s low drive in the 48th minute was held by Jaaskelainen. As Woking began to find space, a good cutback from Dan Moss found Kendall inside the area, but he fired his shot just wide of the near post.

Pinball in the box following a clever pass from a free kick from Edwards to Kendall saw a number of Woking bodies attempt to force the ball home, but none were successful thanks to good blocks from a couple of Alty defenders.

Justin Amaluzor tested Jaaskelainen with 72 minutes gone, but his low drive was easy pickings for the Finn. A huge moment in the game came on 78 minutes, when Korboa’s deflected cross came off the upright, and Kendall’s header was cleared brilliantly off the line by Lewis Banks.

A superb tackle from Odusina to deny Dior Angus bearing down on goal was much needed with 80 minutes gone, before Korboa’s through ball to Kendall saw his shot blocked twice, and Alty scrambled away.

Not to matter though, as a Woking break saw Berkoe find Korboa with inch-perfect position. His first touch was superb, and his finish was emphatic, into the back of the net lifting the ball over Ross and cue Woking limbs behind the goal.

Three wins in a row now for the Cards, and a real belief in a makeshift squad that they could get a result at such a tough place to come. Onto Rochdale on Tuesday for the Cards’ first ever visit to Spotland.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Timi Odusina, Jermaine Anderson (Pavey 86’), Manny Oyeleke (Berkoe 19’), Scott Cuthbert, Ricky Korboa, Curtis Edwards, Charley Kendall, Dion Kelly-Evans

Unused subs: Wilkinson, Osew, Smith

Bookings: Kelly-Evans 87’

Goals: Korboa 90+1’

Altrincham: Ethan Ross, Lewis Banks, Eddy Jones, Lewis Baines, Elliot Osborne (Wilson 75’), Matty Kosylo (Amaluzor 64’), Isaac Marriott, Chris Conn-Clarke, Dior Angus (Roscoe 81’), Jake Cooper, Alex Newby

Unused subs: Gould, Mooney

Bookings: Cooper 70’, Amaluzor 87’

Attendance: 2138 (113 Woking fans)

Man of the Match: Dan Moss, untroubled in the unfamiliar position of right sided centre back, was exceptional, but in truth this could have gone to a number of players.
Altrincham LINEUP
29Ethan Ross
2Lewis Banks
3Eddy Jones
4Lewis Baines
15Jake Cooper
6Elliot Osborne ('75)
8Isaac Marriott
30Alex Newby
7Matty Kosylo ('64)
10Chris Conn-Clarke
14Dior Angus ('81)
BENCH
21Matthew Gould
16Sam Roscoe ('81)
19George Wilson ('75)
11Justin Amaluzor ('64)
44Dan Mooney
WOKING LINEUP
22Will Jaaskelainen
2Dan Moss
3Josh Casey
21Timi Odusina
4Scott Cuthbert
27Dion Kelly-Evans
32Curtis Edwards
18Manny Oyeleke ('20)
23Jermaine Anderson ('86)
33Charley Kendall
7Ricky Korboa
BENCH
6Luke Wilkinson
38Kevin Berkoe ('20)
30Josh Smith
37Paul Osew
29Alfie Pavey ('86)

Altrincham 0-1 Woking | Michael Doyle Interview

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