Entertaining game in prospect on Tuesday
Brian Caffarey
4:25pm, Sun 6th Oct 2013
Woking v Barnet
7.45pm on Tuesday 8 October 2013
The Cards have a very attractive home game on Tuesday evening when Edgar Davids’s Barnet side come to Kingfield. The Bees have made an encouraging start to the season and lie just outside the play-off places, whilst Garry Hill’s side seem to on the ‘up’ after an excellent home win over Nuneaton and a well-deserved away point at Southport on Saturday. Both sides like to play good football, so head down to Kingfield on Tuesday evening for what should be an entertaining game.
WOKING
The Cards are still in the bottom four in the table on goal difference but there is a real feeling that the side has turned the corner after very encouraging performances against Nuneaton Town and Southport. The point at Southport could easily have been three if the Cards had taken one of many good second-half chances – and that’s against a side which had previously won four and drawn one at home. There is no doubt that the arrival of Scott Rendell has made a big difference, with the on-loan striker having grabbed three goals in five appearances and providing a focal point for the attack. But there have been important contributions from keeper Sam Beasant, Josh Payne and the influential Kevin Betsy amongst others.
With two successive home games in prospect, Garry Hill will be very keen to wrap up some more points to lift the Cards up the table.
BARNET
Barnet have made a reasonably encouraging start to their first campaign in the Skrill Conference Premier following their relegation last season. They sit 10th in the table, with 20 points from 13 games, only three points behind Luton Town in fifth place. Away from home they have won two (at Gateshead and Braintree), drawn three (at Tamworth, Aldershot and Welling) and lost two (at Halifax and Alfreton), scoring 11 goals and conceding 10. On Saturday, with Davids in the side, they came back from 1-0 down at Welling, with ten men, to force a 1-1 draw.
But these statistics conceal the fact that their form of late has been far from compelling. Having won four and drawn two games in August, they have won only one of their subsequent seven games: a 3-1 home win over Salisbury City.
Perhaps not surprisingly, there is an international flavour to some of the Bees’ summer signings, who include Dutch striker Marciano Mengerink and Spanish midfielders Luisma Villa and Roberto Casabella. Other new arrivals included defender Anthony Acheampong from Welling; and Keanu Marsh-Brown, a pacey winger who signed permanently after a short-term deal last season. The ‘danger man’ in the early games was Jake Hyde, but a hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines till he came on as a substitute on Saturday.
The Bees will be missing defender Andy Yiadom on Tuesday following his dismissal on Saturday.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults £15
Over 65s and students (with valid student card) £10
U16s £3
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
Don’t miss out on the Club’s excellent matchday programme! In another packed edition James MacDonald looks at some previous exciting encounters between Woking and Barnet and also recounts some of the eccentricities of Barnet legend, Barry Fry. Barnet fan Josh Ilan gives us his views on how Barnet are doing this season. Richard Mason recalls an extraordinary game in which five goals in extra-time decided a Woking cup tie. 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
BOOST THE BUDGET
The Cards Trust will be shaking buckets again on Tuesday evening in aid of its Boost the Budget scheme. This initiative not only provides important financial assistance to Garry in building his squad but also gives supporters a real say in the running of the Club through the purchase of shares – with voting rights due to be exercised shortly when a new Club Board will be elected. So, please give as generously as you can.
NEXT UP
The Cards have another interesting home game in prospect next Saturday when FC Halifax Town travel to Kingfield. The Shaymen have made an excellent start at home following their promotion to the Conference Premier but have yet to win on their travels. Can Garry Hill’s side grab some more much-needed points at Kingfield? Make sure you’re there!
Come on, you Cards!