WOKING v SALISBURY CITY
FA TROPHY, FIRST ROUND
3pm on Saturday 13 December 2008
The Cards start their FA Trophy campaign on Saturday with a tie against Nick Holmes?s Salisbury City, whom we have already beaten twice this season, including a 3-0 away win in the Setanta Shield ten days ago. The Whites have been hard hit by financial problems and have had to let some of their best players go but they still represent a threat and the Cards would be foolish to take them lightly. Don?t forget to join the supporters? trust on Saturday if you haven?t already signed up. Fill in an application form at the Club Shop: membership is only ?5. You will then be just in time to take part in the Woking FC shares offer.
WOKING
Scoring goals is still the Cards? main problem but they can perhaps take heart from the three they put past the Whites in the Setanta Shield. New loan striker, Tom Denton, has notched two goals in his first three appearances.
Definitely missing from the Woking line-up will be Tom Hutchinson, recovering from an operation on his knee. Goma Lambu has resumed training this week but is unlikely to be risked so soon. With the three new loan players joining, Phil Gilchrist has a few more options but will want to put out a very strong side, both because a win would help morale but also because we need the money from a good run in this competition! The winners of Saturday?s game will pocket ?5,000 and the winners of the competition as a whole would receive a total of ?92,000 in prize money along the way, assuming a start in the First Round Proper ? so, there is quite a lot at stake on Saturday for two financially-challenged clubs!
SALISBURY CITY
The Whites have hit serious financial problems and have had to make cuts all round as well as appealing to their fans for support. A number of players have had to be offloaded to cut the wage bill. So far Rob Matthews has gone to Havant, Andy Sandell to Aldershot, Matt Tubbs to Bournemouth, Ryan Clarke to Northwich, and Wayne Turk and captain Aaron Cook have both joined Newport County on loan. Liam Feeney has also departed, for Southend, but young striker Charles Ademeno has moved in the other direction. Another arrival is Daniel Webb, a much-travelled striker and son of former Chelsea star David Webb, who (the son, that is!) played a few games for the Cards several years ago. Ian Herring, Scott Bartlett and Matt Robinson are also on the transfer list.
Inevitably, the loss of so many experienced players has impacted on Salisbury?s form ? demonstrated in the 3-0 defeat we inflicted in the Setanta Shield last week and in the 2-1 defeat at home to Lewes on Saturday. Their side also includes three ex-Cards: popular striker Charlie Griffin, keeper James Bittner and midfielder Michael Fowler.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS THIS SEASON
Woking 1-0 Salisbury City (Marum)
The Board?s decision to hand Phil Gilchrist the Manager?s job on a permanent basis earlier that day was rewarded with this well-deserved win. The Cards had most of the attacking play and got the crucial goal in the 58th minute when Liam Marum was slipped through and finished decisively, driving the ball beyond the Whites? keeper.
Salisbury City 0-3 Woking (Setanta Shield) (Denton, Pattison, Domoraud)
Tom Denton marked his debut for the Cards in the best possible way, scoring the opening goal and having two ?assists?. He was lurking near the back post to open the scoring after a Danny Bunce free-kick found its way to him. His knock-down enabled Matt Pattison to fire home, putting the Cards 2-0 up at half-time. Wilfried Domoraud added a third with a smart turn and shot before Nick Gindre pulled off a fine save from a Charlie Griffin penalty.
SATURDAY?S MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
We?ve got another great programme lined up for you on Saturday. Here are some of the highlights:
| Page 2 | Phil Gilchrist puts recent results into perspective, talks about the transfer window and asks fans for their help. |
| Page 3 | David Taylor says that we?re in a relegation dogfight. |
| Page 9 | Russell Higgs and Marc Fleckney ponder part-time Conference football while enjoying some Cardinals Gold. |
| Pages 12-13 | Derek Powell: Brian Caffarey talks to Derek about his work as Fixtures Secretary and his many years? service to the Club. |
| Page 20 | Jim Ahmed updates us on the successful Project 3000 initiative but asks for more help from fans. |
| Page 21 | James Aughterson provides an update on the Woking FC share issue. There is still just time to join the supporters? trust and take part in the share issue. Buy some shares for Christmas! |
| Pages 24-25 | Lewis Hulatt profiles (eulogises!) Tom Hutchinson. |
| Page 29 | Neil Bennett recalls the false starts leading up to our FA Cup tie at Coventry. |
| Page 37 | Rachel Formby concludes the delightful ?KC and the Storm?. |
| Page 40 | The new boys: profiles and pictures of our four new players |
| Page 41 | Graham Bedford occupies the ?fanfare? chair. |
| Page 42 | Away with the Cards: David Holmes?s photos of fans on their travels with Woking FC. Are you there? |
| Page 45 | Matt Cooke details the key Woking FC FA Trophy statistics. |
Plus all the usual reports, previews and news from around Kingfield, not forgetting great action shots from superb Club photographer, David Holmes. Only ?2.50. Make sure you get your copy. Order one from the Club Shop if you can?t get there on Saturday.
Come on, you Cards!
