Cards have to bounce back

Woking v Kidderminster Harriers
7.45pm on Tuesday 6 November 2012

It seems like old times with the visit of the Harriers to Kingfield on Tuesday evening. The two sides enjoyed some great friendly rivalry in the 90s under bosses Geoff Chapple and Graham Allner. Kidderminster, who just missed the play-offs in the last two seasons in their quest to make a return to the League, made a dreadful start to this campaign but are now recovering rapidly and will prove tough opponents for Garry Hill’s entertaining Cards side.

WOKING

It seems to be a case of ‘ups and downs’ at the moment, with a good result followed by a more disappointing one. The FA Cup defeat by Ebbsfleet was followed by a superb win at league leaders Newport County, previously unbeaten at home, but on Saturday the Cards were decidedly second best at Gateshead even though the scoreline read 2-1.

In such a tight league the Cards can’t afford to wallow after a defeat like Saturday’s and need to bounce back decisively on Tuesday. With such a small squad, Garry’s options for changing things around are pretty limited, so much the same side will simply have to don their kit again and produce a better display this time round.

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

Steve Burr’s side have recovered impressively from their disastrous start to the season and have now been defeated only once in their last 12 Conference outings. After their opening five losses they gained five successive draws before notching two excellent victories, over Cambridge United away and Macclesfield at home. Since then they’ve registered two wins (Hyde at home and Grimsby Town away), two draws (at Ebbsfleet and at home to Gateshead) and a sole defeat, away to Stockport County. On Saturday they lost 0-2 at home to Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup.

Centre back Josh Gowling has helped to shore up the Harriers’ defence since his signing in late August. Ryan Rowe and Anthony Malbon, both recruited from lower non-League sides after impressive goalscoring records, present a threat up front, and Steve Burr can also call on the vastly experienced Steve Guinan. Three other familiar names in the Harriers’ squad are former Burton Albion defender Ryan Austin, former Ebbsfleet midfielder Ricky Shakes and Kyle Storer, previously with Tamworth and Nuneaton.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 65s/Students £10
U16s £5

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

If you’d like to know more about the Club’s financial position, there’s a very handy summary in Tuesday night’s programme of the account given at the recent shareholders’ AGM. The 56-page programme also includes Phil Batts’s reflections on football supporters, an opposing view from a Harriers fan, plus all the news from the BSP, match reports, previews, superb action photos and much more. If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

NEXT GAME

The Cards travel to Grimsby Town on Saturday. Their next home game is against Alfreton Town on Saturday 17 November.

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t miss ‘Elvis and friends’ in the Cardinals’ Bar this Friday evening!