Cards hope to get back in action on Saturday

Woking v Braintree Town
3pm on Saturday 11 January 2014

Pitch permitting, Alan Devonshire will bring his successful Iron side to Kingfield on Saturday afternoon for what will no doubt be a hard-fought encounter as the Cards look to move up the table after three postponed games in succession. Come down to Kingfield and cheer on Garry Hill’s side!

WOKING

Cards fans will be hoping for news of some signings before Saturday’s game following the ending of the loan moves of Jack Marriott, Scott Rendell and Keiran Murtagh and several earlier departures. Garry has been keeping his cards close to his chest (if you’ll excuse the pun) but he makes it clear in an interview in the matchday programme that he has been working very hard on possible deals and that he was hoping to have some good news for Woking fans before this game.

BRAINTREE TOWN

After their 9th place finish last season, the Iron are having another fruitful campaign, currently sitting in 11th place in the table, seven places and nine points above Woking from the same number of games (24). Away from home they’ve won five (Dartford, Macclesfield, Wrexham, Hyde and Chester), drawn four (Hereford, Salisbury, Nuneaton and Tamworth) and lost four (Grimsby, Alfreton, Aldershot and Cambridge). In total they’ve scored 32 goals, conceding 23. Their last match was a 2-0 home win over Tamworth on 28 December.

Familiar names in their squad include dependable strikers Sean Marks and Dan Holman, central defender Dean Wells, inspirational skipper Kenny Davis and former AFC Wimbledon midfielder James Mulley. Giant defender Exodus Geohaghon is also in the squad but has not figured much so far.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

As already indicated, the centrepiece of Saturday’s 56-page matchday programme is an extensive interview with Garry Hill in which he reflects on the season so far and, amongst other matters, discusses the pros and cons of using loan players. The programme also includes a piece by Chairman Mike Smith about the new Town Centre shop and Richard Mason’s memories of a great game from the Club’s past. 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

Braintree Town 2 Woking 0
13 August 2013

The Cards’ first away fixture of the season, following their opening 0-0 home draw against Lincoln City, proved a disappointment. In what was to become a fairly familiar story, the Cards, after a reasonably encouraging opening, in which Gavin McCallum spurned a good chance, conceded early on: indeed, they conceded twice before the 20-minute mark had been reached. First, Dan Holman slotted home in the 17th minute after the ball reached him through a tangle of legs from a corner and then, two minutes later, Sean Marks tapped the ball home after his first effort had come back off the bar following a cross.

The Cards were more in the game in the second half but this was partly because the Iron seemed content to sit back and soak up any pressure. To make matters worse, substitute Gez Sole was sent off a minute from the end after appearing to kick out at the Iron’s Kenny Davis.

Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Brett Johnson, Jack Parkinson, John Nutter (Jordan Ivey-Ward 79), Josh Payne, Lee Sawyer, Gavin Williams, Kevin Betsy, Gavin McCallum (Anthony McNamee 64), Joe McNerney (Giuseppe Sole 64)

Unused subs: Sam Beasant, George Frith

Sent Off: Giuseppe Sole (90)

Cautions: Josh Payne (80), Jack Parkinson (85)

Braintree Town: Nathan McDonald, Ryan Peters, Samuel Habergham, Matthew Paine, Dean Wells, Chez Isaacs (Dan Sparkes 80), Kenny Davis, Luke Daley, Alan Massey, James Mulley, Sean Marks (Liam Enver-Marum 90), Dan Holman

Unused subs: Newman Carney, Nicky Symons, Nick Hamann,

Goals: Dan Holman (17), Sean Marks (19)

Cautions: Chez Isaacs (75), Kenny Davis (80)

Attendance: 995

NEXT UP

The Cards are due to travel to Chipstead on Tuesday evening (14 January) in the third round of the Surrey Senior Cup. The following Saturday (18 January) they are away at Welling United in the Skrill Conference Premier. Their next home match is on Tuesday 21 January when they entertain Chester.

Come on, you Cards!