Cards take on the Gills

Woking v Gillingham
Pre-season friendly
3pm on Saturday 27 July 2013

The Cards welcome the Gills on Saturday afternoon for Woking’s fourth pre-season friendly after an encouraging performance against AFC Bournemouth last weekend. The Gills were the champions of League 2 last season and can be expected to provide tough opposition for Garry Hill’s side.

WOKING

The Cards’ pre-season friendlies have so far produced a defeat at Staines Town (3-2) and wins at Dover (1-0) and at home to AFC Bournemouth (2-1). The results are much less important of course than signs of developing team work and fitness – and on those fronts Garry Hill and Steve Thompson can presumably feel satisfied with how things are coming along. Not surprisingly, given how many of last season’s defence and midfield have been retained, there is an established look about those areas of the side, even though we’ve yet to see Kevin Betsy back in action. Nevertheless Garry has strengthened midfield with the signings of Josh Payne and the hugely-experienced Gavin Williams. Up front, there’s a lot to play for still, with only Gez Sole, recovering from a long lay-off, and Gavin McCallum, re-signed this week, on the books. The game against AFC Bournemouth produced another run-out for the young Wycombe striker Ollie Taylor, who grabbed the winning goal, and winger Anthony McNamee.

GILLINGHAM

The Gills, managed by Martin Allen, ran away with the League Two title last season and should be capable of surviving reasonably comfortably in League One. Striker Danny Kedwell, formerly with AFC Wimbledon and Welling, is a familiar figure. Other players to look out for include pacy Myles Weston (if recovered from a hamstring injury), Chris Whelpdale and Cody McDonald, who has re-joined the club after previous successful loans spells when at Norwich City and Coventry City. Other new signings so far include the burly Adebayo Akinfenwa, returning to the Priestfield Stadium from Northampton Town; Amine Linganzi, a French midfielder from Accrington Stanley; and Stuart Nelson, a keeper who was with Martin Allen at Brentford and Notts County.

The Gills lost at home 1-3 to Millwall in a pre-season friendly last Saturday. Martin Allen was disappointed with a below-par performance but was much happier on Tuesday evening even though the Gills went down 0-3 at home to Crystal Palace.

The Gills’ line-up against Palace was as follows: Stuart Nelson, Matt Fish (Stephen Butcher 83), Joe Martin (Bondz N’Gala 89), Leon Legge (Callum Davies 68), Adam Barrett, Amine Linganzi (Harry Grant 86), Chris Whelpdale, Bradley Dack (Steven Gregory 56), Charlie Allen (Sam Muggleton 83), Danny Kedwell (Antonio German 72), Bayo Akinfenwa (Cody McDonald 56) Unused sub – George Howard

Gillingham start their season at home to Colchester United on Saturday 3 August.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £8. Concessions £3. Seafare will be open under the main stand, so why not treat yourself to some of their excellent fish and chips.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The Club has prepared a programme, priced at £2, to cover the three home friendly games, including pre-season thoughts from Garry Hill and an interview with Darryl Flahavan.

REMAINING FRIENDLY GAMES

Tuesday 30 July: Eastleigh v Woking (k.o. 7.30pm)
Saturday 3 August: Woking v QPR XI (k.o. 3pm)

The Cards start their league campaign on Saturday 10 August at home to Lincoln City.


Come on, you Cards!