WOKING v EASTBOURNE BOROUGH
7.45pm on Tuesday 27 January 2009
Can the Cards grab another win on Tuesday night and haul themselves even further away from the relegation zone? Back-to-back wins is Phil Gilchrist?s aim in this sequence of four home games in succession. If new loan signing, Oliver Bozanic, can reproduce the form he showed against Ebbsfleet on Saturday Cards fans will approach this match with more optimism than for some time. And with Matt Pattison back from suspension, Woking shouldn?t lack attacking midfield support for Wilfried Domoraud up front. Come down to Kingfield and support the Cards in this crucial game!
WOKING
Barring any last-minute addition to the squad, it seems likely that the Cards will start with the same line-up as on Saturday but with Pattison replacing Vernazza in midfield. Phil Gilchrist might be tempted, though, to give a starting place to Gez Sole in place of Liam Marum, who seemed to struggle to get into the game on Saturday and limped off at the end.
The Cards will be looking out for Barrow?s result at Burton this (Monday) evening. An Albion win would leave the Bluebirds in Woking?s sights the following evening, with Barrow currently only one point above the Cards. But it is points rather than places that matter at this stage.
EASTBOURNE BOROUGH
The Sports have fared much better in their first season in the BSP than most people expected. They currently sit in 12th place in the table with 39 points from 28 games: ten points more than Woking. Away from home, they have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 9. Interestingly, with 31 goals conceded on their travels, they have conceded more than any other team in the league. Perhaps that will offer hope to the Woking forwards?
But the Sports won?t lack confidence on the back of three successive league wins (see below).
Players to look out for include the three Crabb brothers, experienced central defender Marc Pullan, striker Andy Atkin and promising youngster Simon Johnson. Simon Wormull, a familiar figure in the Conference with Stevenage and Crawley Town, is usually on the bench.
Recent results
24 January: Eastbourne Borough 2 York City 1
17 January: Forest Green Rovers 1 Eastbourne Borough 2
1 January: Lewes 0 Eastbourne Borough 2
28 December: Crawley Town 1 Eastbourne Borough 0
26 December: Eastbourne Borough 1 Lewes 0
Latest news
? Ashley Barnes and Ben Austin were on target for the Sports in their home win over ailing York City
? Matt Smart?s header earned the Sports all three points at Forest Green Rovers last Tuesday
? Manager Garry Wilson celebrates 10 years in charge this year; when he joined, the Sports were in the Sussex County League
? 11 of Borough?s squad have notched up over 100 appearances for the Club
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
Eastbourne Borough 0 Woking 0
15 November 2008
The Cards had a shaky start at Priory Lane, with Lenny Pidgeley, playing his last game for the Club, pulling off several important saves. Things looked ominous when Colin Miles was sent off for a ?last man? tackle on Nathan Crabb just before half-time but the Cards made light of the disadvantage in the second half and might even have grabbed all three points with some better finishing.
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
We?ve got a great double-page piece on Lloyd Wye in Tuesday night?s programme, which will certainly bring back happy memories for Cards fans of that era.
Nostalgia is also the tone of Simon Studd?s reminiscences of watching Woking for some 20 years, including some evocative photos. (Who remembers Bradley Pratt?s girlfriend, ?Melons?!?) And Neil Bennett continues his superb series on the brilliant but frustrating side of 1996-97.
Moving to present times, Phil Gilchrist and David Taylor write about Saturday?s victory; Lewis Hulatt, in inimitable fashion, profiles Danny Bunce and, of course, we?ve got our usual incisive previews and reports, including excellent photos from Woking?s ?Renaissance Man?, Club Photographer/Press Officer, David Holmes.
Make sure you get your copy! (Order one from the Club Shop if you can?t be there.) A bargain at ?2.50.
Come on, you Cards!
