Cards face another big test

Woking v Nuneaton Town
3pm on Saturday 28 September 2013

The Cards need to pick themselves up and dust themselves down after Tuesday’s painful encounter with Luton Town but, if they play with the endeavour and commitment they showed in the first half hour, there is no reason why they cannot get a result in Saturday’s game against the Boro, whose early remarkable form has been halted by two successive defeats. The Cards really need your support at this difficult time, so please come down to Kingfield and roar the team on to a much-needed victory! Get there early and take in the Spurs v Chelsea game on the big screen first.

WOKING

It was not entirely doom and gloom on Tuesday evening. The side actually played quite well for half an hour or so, but it all went rapidly downhill once Luton scored. Woking’s confidence sagged, especially after the second, very preventable, goal went in and Luton’s initial nervousness dissipated as they realised that they were in for a relatively untroubled evening.

After employing Gavin Williams as a makeshift leader of the front line on Tuesday, Garry will be pleased to have Scott Rendell to call on again. Darren Murphy made his debut on Tuesday in midfield and looked quite strong till the lack of match practice caught up with him, whilst substitute John Goddard’s attacking instincts might have proved more fruitful on a different day.

NUNEATON TOWN

Unfancied Boro have made an exceptional start to the season. They were unbeaten in their first nine games, which included a run of five consecutive wins prior to their surprising 2-1 defeat last Saturday at home to Salisbury City, which was followed by a 3-0 loss at table-toppers Cambridge United on Tuesday evening. The run of unbeaten games included away wins at Macclesfield, Grimsby and Dartford and a draw at Barnet. They still lie 2nd in the table, four points behind the U’s.

Manager Kevin Wilkin, who has guided the re-formed club to three promotions, kept most of his squad from last season but added five new signings in the summer, the most important of which has proved to be top scorer Louis Moult from Northampton Town, who impressed in a loan spell last season. The other additions were keeper James Belshaw, originally with Walsall; Theo Streete, a defender from Alfreton; experienced midfielder Phil Trainer, who has since gone on loan to Worcester City; and striker Greg Pearson, who made his name with Bishop’s Stortford and Burton Albion before joining Crewe. More recently, Wilkin has signed 19 year-old defender Emmit Delfounesco, brother of former Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfounesco.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 65s and students (with valid student card) £10
U16s £3

The game will not be segregated, so Boro fans will be very welcome to use the Cardinals’ Bar, which, as already noted, will be open from 12noon for the televised game between Spurs and Chelsea. There will be a draw at half-time of the televised game, for everyone present, for a bottle of champagne.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Don’t miss out on the Club’s excellent matchday programme! In another packed edition Ian Nicholson profiles Woking web maestro Nick Shaw. David Horncastle reviews a fascinating study of football statistics. Do you think it’s better, statistically, to keep a clean sheet or score a single goal? Find out the answer by reading David’s piece. Long-distance Woking fan Malcolm Wyatt muses on Woking’s visit to Chester and on his local non-League scene. And Nuneaton fan, Tony Packer, a man with a very long memory, reflects on Boro’s successful start to the season. And of course there are all the usual match reports, previews, news and great photos. If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

LAST TIME OUT

It certainly would be a turn up for the books if the Cards on Saturday emulated last season’s home fixture against Boro in September 2012 when Garry Hill’s side secured their biggest win of the campaign, trouncing the visitors 6-1. But the current side might take hope from the fact that last season’s resounding victory came after a run of four defeats. Garry Hill welcomed back Bradley Bubb from injury and brought in Adam Doyle and Dean Sinclair, with Mike Cestor and Loick Pires dropping to the bench. Mark Ricketts was absent, injured. Woking took the lead through a breakaway after an excellent Aaron Howe save, Sawyer immediately setting Gavin McCallum free on the left, with the winger finishing expertly just inside the far post. The second goal was scored by Sawyer himself following another counter-attack, this time by Bubb and Kevin Betsy. The second half saw Bubb notch four goals, profiting from two goalkeeping errors, whilst Howe saved a penalty. Nuneaton grabbed a consolation goal right at the end.

The away fixture in March this year saw the two sides grind out a 0-0 draw – a result which was no great surprise, given the recent record of both sides. Both teams had their chances on a cold night, with snow still bordering the touchline, but neither could make the crucial breakthrough.

NEXT UP

The Cards travel north again next Saturday (5 October) with a trip to Southport, rarely a happy hunting-ground for Woking sides over the years. On the following Tuesday evening (8 October) there is a very attractive game in prospect when Edgar Davids’ Barnet side visit Kingfield. Make sure you’re there!

Come on, you Cards!