Grays Match Preview
Saturday 13th September 2008
Woking vs. Grays Athletic
Blue Square Premier
Kingfield, Kick-Off: 3pm
INTRODUCING GRAYS ATHLETIC
Blues? manager and owner Mick Woodward will be understandably disappointed with his team?s points return from their first handful of games. Losing to Weymouth on the first day and being held to a draw by Kettering next time around has meant that Grays got nothing like the jump start they were looking for.
An improved performance against a lacklustre Northwich Victoria side saw the Essex team record their first win of the season at the New Rec. However, disappointing results in the following matches have led to a current lower mid-table position for Grays ? losing to Mansfield, Eastbourne, Crawley Town and Salisbury.
Amongst the Grays squad are two players of note for Cards fans. Jamie Taylor, who made several appearances before leaving for Dagenham & Redbridge, joined Grays in the off-season and the short striker possesses devilish pace and is excellent with the ball at his feet.
Former Aldershot and Woking right-back Rob Gier also joined the London side during the off-season. The 28 year-old is a versatile defender who can slot into the centre-back role when required and is sure to be a good signing for The Blues.
GRAYS IN
Stuart Elliot (York)
Ishmael Welsh (Yeovil)
Mark Haines (Northampton)
Mark Molesley (Stevenage Borough)
Charlie Ide (Brentford)
Rob Gier (Aldershot)
Jamie Taylor (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Steve Arnold (Norwich)
Stefan Bailey (QPR)
Sam Sloma (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Barry Cogan (Gillingham)
Kenny Davis (Harlow Town)
Fabian Wilnis (Ipswich)
Alex Campana (Oxford)
Lee Canoville (Notts County)
GRAYS OUT
Ben Watson (Exeter)
Michael Standing (Lewes)
Danny Knowles (Weymouth)
Cameron Mawer (Weymouth)
Neil McCafferty (Finn Harps)
Scott Taylor (Lewes)
Andy Sambrook (Fisher)
WOKING TEAM NEWS
On the injury front, Phil hopes to be able to select from a full squad barring Abdou El Kholti, whose chances on Wednesday Phil rated as only 30/70. There could be a place, therefore, for Joel Ledgister, who has missed recent games with a broken bone in his wrist.
LAST TIME ROUND
Woking 0-1 Grays (10th November 2007)
Ben Watson scored the winner for Grays in the 83rd minute at Kingfield as the clouds of doom began to descend upon Frank Gray?s management. A lowly crowd of under 1,200 just about summed up the day for Woking fans as mutterings of discontent circled Kingfield.
This meant that Woking had now gone six games without a win including the infamous defeat to Staines Town in the final preliminary round of the FA Cup.
Woking: Worner; Lorraine, Hutchinson, Gasson; Lambu, James, Quamina (Maledon 77), Pattison, Bunce; Gatting, Morgan (Marum 80).
LAST TIME OUT
Grays Athletic 3-2 Kidderminster (6th September 2008)
Second-half goals from Stuart Thurgood, Sam Sloma and Barry Cogan helped Grays get their season back on track following four straight league defeats. Thurgood struck with a low 20-yard shot before ex-Card Justin Richards netted for the Harriers.
Sloma converted ex-Kidderminster player Ishmael Welsh?s cross and Cogan swept home from inside the box to put Grays in control, but Kidderminster striker Matthew Barnes-Homer's 89th-minute close-range effort made for a grandstand finale.
Grays Athletic: Flitney, Wilnis, Ashton, Stuart, Sloma, Ide (Taylor 68), Molesley (Cogan 61), Elliott, Thurgood, Campana (Welsh 46), Kedwell.
FORM GUIDE (last five games)
Woking: LDLDL
Forest Green Rovers: 0-1 LOST
Oxford: 0-0 DREW
Kettering: 0-1 LOST
Lewes: 1-1 DREW
York: 0-2 LOST
Grays: LLLLW
Salisbury: 0-1 LOST
Eastbourne Borough: 0-1 LOST
Mansfield: 0-1 LOST
Crawley: 1-2 LOST
Kidderminster Harriers: 3-2 WON
TICKET INFO
Usual ticket prices apply for this Blue Square Premier League match ?
Terracing ? Adults ?12 OAPs ?10 U16?s ?5
Leslie Gosden Stand ? Adults ?15 OAP?s ?11 U16?s ?6
Under 16 benefactors of the ?Project 3000? scheme can gain free entry to all parts of the ground and any accompanying adult will be admitted for just ?10.
Come on, you Cards!
Brian Caffarey adds:
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
We have got a great matchday programme lined up for you, including:
? David Taylor on the Board?s decision to sack Kim Grant
? Phil Gilchrist on his hopes for the future
? A profile of Hazel Long, who celebrates 50 years of voluntary service to the Club
? A profile of Paolo Vernazza
? Robert Greenaway on the Vooghts, the Wyes and the Buzaglos
? Sadie Gordon on life in League Two (there?s optimism for you!)
? Liam Hoare on England?s World Cup hopes
? The final gripping instalment of KC Kat?s encounter with the Stevenage mice!
and much more, including some great photos from David Holmes and Mark Doyle. Make sure you get your copy!