Another long haul for Cards
Brian Caffarey
4:45pm, Thu 8th Nov 2012
Grimsby Town v Woking
3pm on Saturday 10 November 2012
The Cards make another long trip on Saturday when they travel to Grimsby for the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. The Mariners, whose squad includes former Woking favourite Aswad Thomas, lie in fourth place in the table and will present another formidable challenge to Garry Hill’s side as they seek to keep the points tally moving upwards.
WOKING
It’s common for managers to comment on how tough a particular league is but few will disagree with Garry Hill’s verdict on the Blue Square Premier. Not only do the Cards have to cope with being part-time and having a small squad but they also have to make so many long journeys to away matches, with the great majority of opponents based in the North or the Midlands. Woking fans will also agree with Garry on what a jump in quality there is between the Blue Square South and the Blue Square Premier – and, indeed, how much the Premier has changed in the three years we’ve been absent.
Tuesday evening’s hugely entertaining 2-2 draw against Kidderminster Harriers underlined all these points but also epitomised Woking’s play this season: bright, often skilful, with plenty of goals scored but also too many conceded. Woking have now scored more goals (33) than anyone else except leaders Newport County but have also conceded more than any other side except Cambridge United, who have also let in 35.
Whether Woking’s style of play makes it inevitable that they will concede plenty of goals is debatable. There certainly seem to be lapses – from set pieces in particular – which ought to be preventable without sacrificing the attacking momentum.
Dean Sinclair, coming on as a half-time substitute for Jack Parkinson, made a good impression on Tuesday evening and may have done enough to make the starting line-up. Garry will need to decide whether to start with Adam Doyle or Mike Cestor in the left-back slot.
GRIMSBY TOWN
The Mariners had a reasonably solid start to the season but really hit their stride in September, with an unbeaten run which included excellent home wins over Mansfield (4-1), Forest Green Rovers (1-0), Luton (4-1) and Gateshead (3-0). But home form collapsed in October, with three successive defeats to Dartford, Kidderminster (in the FA Cup) and Macclesfield. So far in November Grimsby have won away 1-0 at Tamworth and lost 3-2 at Hyde United.
There are a few familiar names, in addition to Aswad Thomas, in the Mariners’ squad. Strikers include former Stevenage Borough foe Anthony Elding, former Burton star Greg Pearson, the highly-rated Liam Hearn and current in-form top scorer Ross Hannah. A summer signing at the back was AFC Wimbledon’s Sam Hatton.
GETTING THERE
Blundell Park
Cleethorpes
Lincolnshire
DN35 7PY
Official website: www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk
By coach
The Cards Trust’s coach leaves Kingfield at 9.00am. The cost is £21 for members and £28 for non-members. Ring the Club Shop or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk to book your place.
By car
Follow the signs for Grimsby on the M180. Continue on this road when it becomes the A180. This road runs right past the ground. The ground is adjacent to the McDonalds Drive-thru.
By train
Nearest station: Cleethorpes. The 10.48 from KX arrives at Doncaster at 12.18 for a connection at 12.37 to Cleethorpes, getting in at 13.50. There are trains back from Cleethorpes at 17.26 and 18.26.
The station is just over 1 mile away from the stadium. Walking would take about 20 minutes. Public transport is available.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults: £18
Over 65s & Under 18s: £12
Under 14s: £8
Away fans sit in the Osmond Stand in the south side of the ground. Entry to this stand is in Constitutional Avenue, turnstiles 7-10.
NEXT GAME
The Cards are at home to Alfreton Town on Saturday 17 November. Please put the date in your diary and come down to support the team.
Come on, you Cards!
P.S. Don’t forget ‘Elvis and friends’ on Friday 9 November in the Cardinals’ Bar!