Cards eye fifth place tomorrow evening

Maidenhead United v Woking
7.45pm on Tuesday 13 April 2010

The Cards’ narrow victory over Bromley on Saturday means that their play-off hopes are still very much alive. Indeed, a win at Maidenhead tomorrow evening would see Graham Baker’s side sneak into that coveted fifth place, with games away at St Albans and at home to relegated Weymouth to follow.

WOKING

The result was all that really mattered on Saturday but the Cards’ performance was not one of their best of the season, lacking the tempo one might have expected from a team that knew that it had to win. Some positives were the continuing good form of Gez Sole, Tom Hutchinson’s familiar dominance in the air, the impact that Mark Ricketts made after returning from injury as a second-half substitute and a lively contribution from Matthew Wright after he’d entered the fray from the bench. More troubling were the ease with which Steve Ferguson and colleagues opened up the Woking defence at times in the first half; an off-colour Harry Arter, who was clearly unhappy about being withdrawn in favour of Mark Ricketts; and Moses Ademola’s continuing problems in finishing moves off. Craig Faulconbridge too made little impact, with few decent crosses to aim at.

But the Cards have reserved some of their best performances for away trips this season – Hampton, Dover and Chelmsford come to mind straightaway – so let’s hope that they can reproduce that form on Tuesday evening and set up an exciting end to the season.

Bath may now represent the greatest threat to the Cards’ aspirations for a play-off place. Bath will accumulate more points than Woking if they win all their remaining games (away to Bromley and Lewes and at home to St Albans City). And Bath’s superior goal difference means that two wins and a draw would be enough to grab a play-off spot. But those calculations only come into play if Woking win on Tuesday, so the Cards don’t need to look beyond that for the time being.

MAIDENHEAD UNITED

The Magpies currently lie in 15th place and vanquished any lingering relegation worries with an encouraging 2-1 win at Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday – which Woking fans will hope means that they have nothing to play for on Tuesday evening.

The Magpies have been struggling with injuries recently, including former Card Bradley Quamina, who hasn’t figured in the last few games. Manager Winston Hippolyte was forced to bring himself off the bench in a recent game, making his BSS debut at the age of 45! (Graham, get your boots on!)

The main goal threat comes from Kieron St Aimie. Former Newcastle striker, Paul Robinsons, made his debut for Maidenhead in their recent game at Newport County.

Previous encounter

Woking 1 Maidenhead United 1 (12 September 2009)
Luke Medley’s deflected shot gave the Cards an early lead on a balmy late summer’s afternoon at Kingfield. However, a sloppy Sinclair pass let the Us claim a point to the disappointment of the Woking faithful.

Recent form

13 Mar Welling 3 Maidenhead United 1
20 Mar Thurrock 2 Maidenhead United 2
23 Mar Maidenhead United 1 Worcester City 1
3 April Newport County 4 Maidenhead United 1
10 April Bishop’s Stortford 1 Maidenhead United 2


GETTING THERE

Maidenhead United FC
York Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 1SF

Website: www.maidenheadunited.org

By coach
Leaves 5.30pm; £10 members, £14 non-members; phone or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk.

By car

Leave at junction 8/9 of the M4 and follow signs for Maidenhead town centre. Proceed to the first roundabout on the one-way system and take the fourth exit, thereafter taking a left at the cinema. Go down the hill and the ground is the second exit on the right.

By train

York Road is a short walk from Maidenhead train station. Cross the one-way system and walk to the end of Bell Street. For train times visit www.thetrainline.com.

Come on, you Cards!