Cards take on the Terras
Brian Caffarey
7:14am, Mon 16th Nov 2009
Weymouth v Woking
7.45pm on Tuesday 17 November 2009
The Cards travel to bottom-of-the-table Weymouth on Tuesday evening. On paper, looking at the two clubs’ respective home and away records, this ought to be an easy win for the Cards. But football is rarely as predictable as that and there are reasons, including Weymouth’s feat on Saturday in securing their first away win of the season, to think that the task facing Graham Baker’s side is not entirely straightforward.
WOKING
Graham Baker certainly didn’t have luck on his side last Tuesday night. As well as finding that the fresh players he brought in failed to shine, he discovered on Saturday that he needn’t really have worried about resting players since the weather ensured that they were all able to put their feet up at the weekend.
Woking’s away record is the best in the league, with six wins, one draw and one defeat so far. Those eight games have seen the Cards score 14 goals, whilst they’ve managed only four at home in the same number of games. Only the two bottom clubs, Lewes and Weymouth, have scored fewer goals overall. To make matters worse, Woking have failed to score in their last three games.
So, while it looks on paper as though the Cards should have an easy night, there is a nagging concern that they will find it harder than it ought to be to create – and, crucially, put away – chances.
No doubt Graham will field his strongest available side on Tuesday night, being anxious not to let any more points slip through his fingers following the defeat by St Albans City last Tuesday. A starting role for Moses Ademola looks likely.
WEYMOUTH
Weymouth, who, like Woking, were relegated from the Conference National at the end of last season, have been struggling with financial problems and even now it’s still very possible that the Club will have to go into administration or even be wound up entirely. Director Paul Cocks resigned at the weekend and has since spoken out against acceptance of a rescue package, arguing that it would be better if the club was liquidated so that a new start could be made.
The Terras have so far gained 9 points from 18 games. Their home form reads: W1 D0 L8 F6 A29. Their only victory came against Worcester City, 2-1, on 22 August. But they had a big boost on Saturday with their surprising 1-0 away win at Bishop’s Stortford, danger man Jake Reid netting the only goal. Weymouth will again be missing captain Kyle Mitchell through suspension. A new loan signing is 19 year-old Jamie McGuiness, a midfielder/defender from Rushden and Diamonds.
Weymouth’s recent results under player/manager Ian Hutchinson show that the margin of defeat has been narrow in their recent games, which compares markedly with some of the trouncings they received earlier in the season, when they conceded five goals to Eastleigh, Bromley and Maidenhead and – ironically, given Saturday’s result - six to Bishop’s Stortford. So, this too ought to make Graham Baker’s side wary of any complacency.
17 Oct BSS: Dover 2 Weymouth 1
24 Oct BSS: Basingstoke 2 Weymouth 1
27 Oct BSS: Weymouth 0 Bath City 2
31 Oct BSS: St Albans 2 Weymouth 1
14 Nov BSS: Bishop’s Stortford 0 Weymouth 1
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults: £11 terrace, £13 stand; Concessions: £7 terrace, £9 stand; U16s: £4 terrace, £6 stand.
GETTING THERE
See the previous news item for travel details.
Come on, you Cards!