Braintree at home on Saturday

Woking v Braintree Town
3pm on Saturday 31 October 2009

The Cards have another tough league game on Saturday afternoon when Braintree Town, currently lying 6th in the table, visit Kingfield. Graham Baker’s side has been in terrific form in the last couple of games, scoring seven goals without reply in the matches away at Hendon and Dover Athletic, so why not come down and cheer the team on in its drive for promotion?

WOKING

I hope to get an update from Graham tomorrow about injuries but, after Tuesday’s game, Graham was forecasting that the only absentee through injury on Saturday would be Moses Ademola, who, however, was expected to have resumed full training by the weekend. Whether Wilfried Domoraud will have returned from his trip home to France to sort out family problems remains to be seen. But, with Gez Sole and Harry Arter in such great form (“breathtaking displays� according to Walter Gammie’s report in the Times of the Hendon game), strongly supported by the powerful Delano Sam-Yorke up front and some great defensive and midfield play, Wilf’s absence hasn’t caused any problems so far. Graham will be well aware, though, that the side needs to translate its exceptional away form (six wins, one draw and only one defeat) to Kingfield.

BRAINTREE TOWN

The Iron are a club on the rise, having progressed through the Isthmian leagues in recent years to reach the Conference South and then gaining a play-off place for two seasons running. Last season they finished a disappointing 14th but new Manager Robbie Garvey seems to have brought some new momentum this season.

The Iron started the campaign in fine style with three straight wins and subsequently went on to beat local rivals Chelmsford City. But their form then slumped, including a 5-0 thumping at Dorchester Town, as they failed to win in seven games. But the poor run ended with a 2-0 win over Staines two weeks ago and has continued with a 3-1 home win over promotion rivals Thurrock on Tuesday evening. They now sit in 6th place in the table and could well mount a strong play-off challenge again.

The Iron’s recent results have been:

12 Sep BSS Braintree Town 0 Worcester City 0
19 Sep BSS Braintree Town 1 Basingstoke Town 2
26 Sep FAC Braintree Town 0 Hampton and RB 0
29 Sep FACR Hampton and RB 2 Braintree Town 0
3 Oct BSS Dorchester Town 5 Braintree Town 0
17 Oct BSS Braintree Town 2 Staines Town 0
27 Oct BSS Braintree Town 3 Thurrock 1

David Blackmore, responsible for the ‘blunder’ at Hythe which resulted in our having to replay the Kent side, has been in goal for Braintree in recent games. Two key players, both with over 400 appearances to their credit, are defender Mark Jones and midfielder captain Brad Quinton. Another midfielder, Jacob Mingle, ex-Eastbourne Borough, has been in fine form recently, whilst another option is Jon Keeling, who’s turned out for most of the Essex non-League sides. Up front ex-Ebbsfleet striker George Purcell is the top scorer with six goals.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults: £12 anywhere in the ground
Concessions/Students: £8
U16s: £2

Don’t forget lovely Seafare fish and chips in the Leslie Gosden Stand! And why not join the players in the redecorated Cardinals Bar after the game?

Come on, you Cards!