Cards aim to impress again

Woking v Grimsby Town
7.45pm on Tuesday 16 April 2013

We’ve seen some wonderfully entertaining football at Kingfield this season – and Saturday’s extraordinary 5-4 win over Macclesfield Town was certainly no exception! Come down to Kingfield on Tuesday evening for the final home game of the campaign and celebrate a terrific first season back in the Conference Premier. This could be your last chance to see the likes of Billy Knott and Jayden Stockley in the Cardinal red-and-white, so don’t miss out!

WOKING

Woking’s first half performance against Macclesfield was magnificent: the interplay between Billy Knott, Kevin Betsy and Jayden Stockley in particular was sublime at times, backed up by some terrific midfield industry from Mark Ricketts, Lee Sawyer and Mike Cestor. 5-0 up at half-time, you wondered if Garry Hill’s side could go on and obliterate their goal disadvantage in a single game but the second half was a different story!

Let’s not dwell on that since it is easy enough to understand why the side took their foot off the pedal in the second half.

Garry’s side have now crept up to 9th in the table but rivals Dartford are still one point and one place ahead in the battle to finish as the highest-placed part-time side. And Braintree Town are level on points with the Cards but with an inferior goal difference. So, there is still a lot to play for, quite apart from the desire to gain revenge for that 5-1 defeat at Blundell Park.

GRIMSBY TOWN

The Mariners have now definitely secured a play-off place, although they must be disappointed not to have been able to sustain their challenge for automatic promotion. At one stage they looked favourites to end the season as champions but a bad slump in form in March, which saw them lose four games in a row and then draw two games, ended those hopes. But they have recovered well in April, with impressive victories away from home at Stockport, Macclesfield and Dartford, plus a draw at Luton last Friday, tempered only by dropping two points at home to Southport just over a week ago.

Grimsby have a fine away record, winning nine games, drawing nine and losing only four, with 27 goals scored and only 19 conceded.

The Mariners’ squad includes former Kingfield favourite Aswad Thomas, who is clearly highly rated by Grimsby fans too. Other players to watch include the club’s captain, midfielder Craig Disley, experienced strikers Liam Hearn and Ross Hannah and midfielders Frankie Artus and Andi Thanoj. Ex-AFC Wimbledon defender Sam Hatton’s free-kicks will be remembered from the away encounter.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Tuesday’s packed programme features an end-of-season interview with Garry Hill, plus reviews of the season in words and pictures. A Grimsby Town fan reflects on their season and predicts a 3-1 win for the Mariners! And, of course, there are all the usual match reports, previews, splendid photos and news of the BSP and beyond. If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk A great programme to remind you in years to come of a very successful season.

LAST TIME OUT

Grimsby Town 5 Woking 1
10 November 2012

This scoreline was rather harsh on a Woking side who played some fine football. But the Cards were mainly undone by two excellent free-kicks by ex-AFC Wimbledon defender Sam Hatton and by Lee Sawyer’s sending-off in the 51st minute.

Woking started very brightly and took the lead in the second minute when former Mariner Dean Sinclair finished from a sharp cross from Gavin McCallum. But the first of Hatton’s free-kicks in the 10th minute, going straight through the wall, levelled the scores and seemed to galvanise the home side. Craig Disley put Grimsby ahead with a well-worked goal in the 17th minute and then Ross Hannah made it 3-1 in the 33rd minute when he prodded home after Aaron Howe had made an excellent save from Jamie McKeown’s free-kick.

Woking were still very much in the game but the crucial blow came with Lee Sawyer’s second yellow card for a reckless lunge at Aswad Thomas. Even then the Cards continued to make a fight of it with Bradley Bubb hitting a post but Hatton’s second wonder-strike of the game in the 75th minute made absolutely sure of a home victory, with Andy Cook netting a fifth on the stroke of full-time.

Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Mike Cestor, Mark Ricketts (Jack Parkinson 80), Joe McNerney, Brett Johnson (Adam Doyle 80), Bradley Bubb (Loick Pires 80), Kevin Betsy, Lee Sawyer, Dean Sinclair, Gavin McCallum
Unused subs: Brett Williams, Sam Beasant

Cautions: Mike Cestor 10, Lee Sawyer 16, Bradley Bubb 78, Jack Parkinson 89

Sent Off: Lee Sawyer 51

Grimsby Town: James McKeown, Sam Hatton, Aswad Thomas, Shaun Pearson, Joe Colbeck (Derek Niven 17), Craig Disley, Andy Cook, Andi Thanoj, Nathan Pond, Ross Hannah (Dayle Southwell 69), Marcus Marshall

Unused subs: Ian Miller, Frankie Artus, Greg Pearson

Cautions: Shaun Pearson 52

Attendance: 3,418

NEXT GAME

The Cards’ final game of the season is away at Tamworth next Saturday, with a 5.15pm kick-off. The Lambs may well still be in a relegation fight then, so there could be a lot at stake.

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget the Woking FC Beer Festival on 24-25 May.