WOKING v NORTHWICH VICTORIA
3pm on Saturday 31 January 2009
At this stage of a ?relegation dogfight? (to quote David Taylor in a recent matchday programme) every game looks like the most important encounter of the campaign. But this particular match does look highly significant. The Cards are coming off the back of a surprising ? and potentially demoralising ? 4-0 thrashing at home by middle-of-the-table Eastbourne Borough. On paper the visit of the BSP?s bottom club, Northwich, with only 16 points to their name, looks like an ideal way to bounce back. But the Vics have had an infusion of new players, including ex-Card Karl Murray, and had a morale-boosting 3-3 draw at Wrexham on the same night that the Cards slumped. A win would give the Cards a huge boost. A defeat barely bears thinking about?.
WOKING
Phil Gilchrist has made it clear that what pained him most about Tuesday night was the apparent lack of effort and commitment on the part of some players. He didn?t name names, so it will be interesting to see his team selection on Saturday. Of course, he?ll be missing Tom Hutchinson, Paolo Vernazza, Danny Bunce and Delano Sam-Yorke through injury, and both Nick Gindre and Gez Sole have now left., so his options look limited. Saturday will be Tom Denton?s last match before he returns to Huddersfield Town but his compatriot, keeper Simon Eastwood, is staying till the end of the season.
NORTHWICH VICTORIA
Steve King has been hugely busy in drafting in players to boost the ailing Vics? chances of staying in the BSP. Among the arrivals are ex-Card Karl Murray, the well-travelled Lee Elam and former Farsley and Histon striker Damian Reeves.
Recent results
27 January: Wrexham 3 Northwich Victoria 3
24 January: Weymouth 3 Northwich Victoria 0
17 January: Northwich Victoria 1 Histon 2
26 December: Northwich Victoria 0 Altrincham 0
20 December: Rushden and Diamonds 2 Northwich Victoria 1
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
07-08 Northwich Victoria 1-3 Woking
(Pattison, Gatting Hakim)
Woking 2-3 Northwich Victoria
(Morgan, Marum)
06-07 Northwich Victoria 0-2 Woking
(McAllister, Bunce)
Woking 3-2 Northwich Victoria
(Marum, Hutchinson, Smith)
05-06 Woking 0-0 Northwich Victoria (FA Cup 2nd Round)
Northwich Victoria 2-1 Woking (FA Cup Replay)
(Ferguson)
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
We?ve got another jam-packed matchday programme for you on Saturday, including:
? Phil Gilchrist?s and David Taylor?s comments on Tuesday?s game. For a ?taster? of Phil?s views, see Wednesday?s news item
? A profile of John Moore (?Moorsie?), the Club?s new Head of Communications. Read how John used to star alongside Tim Buzaglo!
? The latest instalment of Neil Bennett?s superbly-crafted series on the brilliant but flawed 1996-97 team (?The Trophy was to breathe wheezing life back into the season, but it was the stumbling glassy-eyed sentience of the desperate drinker at last orders, with a dispirited playing squad jostling shamelessly as they waved fivers at the barman.?) Read about the BFG?s wheeze in signing Hans Segers and that famous ?hole in the pitch?
? The first part of an amusing series (with cartoons!) by Lewis Hulatt on The Short History of Football
? Lewis?s profile of Joe Magunda
? The second part of Rachel Formby?s delightful KC Kat story, ?A very busy day?
? Greg Lewry?s look at how other local clubs are faring
Plus all the usual previews, reports and brilliant photos from David Holmes
Make sure you get your copy. Only ?2.50. Order one from the Club Shop if you can?t make it to Kingfield on Saturday.
Come on, you Cards!
