No down time for unbeaten Cards

Woking v Chester FC
3pm on Saturday 13 September 2014

The relentless fixture list rolls on as Garry Hill’s side, the only unbeaten team in the league, barely have time to recover from Tuesday’s great win at Aldershot Town before they face another stiff challenge, this time from Chester FC. Come on down to Kingfield on Saturday and cheer on the Cards to three more points! It’s then on the road on Tuesday to Torquay and to Bristol Rovers the following Saturday...

WOKING

It’s now five wins and three draws for third-placed Woking. The bookies, fixated by ‘big name’ clubs like Bristol Rovers, may have overlooked the Cards at the beginning of the season, ignoring their fantastic form in the second half of the last campaign, but they can hardly do so now. However, it is going to require all the squad’s resilience to keep this excellent run going as tiredness and injuries take their toll on a small part-time squad.

With Kevin Betsy, Adam Newton and Jake Cole already out, Garry will not have been happy to have lost captain Mark Ricketts and in-form keeper Aaron Howe from the action on Tuesday. The latest news is that Aaron has suffered a broken pelvis. Garry has brought in former Woking favourite, Ross Worner, on loan from AFC Wimbledon to cover Aaron’s absence. Fortunately, Mike Cestor and Andy Little deputised superbly on Tuesday night for Mark Ricketts and Aaron – and Garry was also able to call on John Goddard when the night’s hero, Gez Sole, had to leave the pitch too. But Keiran Murtagh, just back from international duty, was an unused substitute, so at least Garry has one more option in midfield on Saturday.

CHESTER FC

Reprieved from relegation last season, the Blues are finding it tough again this season so far. They currently lie in 19th place in the table with two wins, one draw and five defeats in their opening eight games but manager Steve Burr believes that the side is improving and will move up the table. They suffered the shock of a 5-0 home defeat by Barnet on the opening day, followed by a narrow defeat at Forest Green Rovers. A good away win at Braintree was cancelled out by a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of FC Halifax. A fine recovery from two goals down produced a 2-2 draw at Kidderminster but defeat followed at Gateshead. An encouraging 1-0 home win over Macclesfield led to another home defeat on Tuesday, 2-0 at the hands of improving Torquay United, who clearly impressed Burr: a warning for the Cards’ next away game.

Among the Blues’ squad is Wayne Rooney’s brother, John; ex-Scottish international striker Chris Iwelumo; attacking midfielder Sean McConville; winger Peter Winn; striker Craig Mahon; and experienced keeper Jon Worsnop.

ADMISSION

Adults: £15
Over 65s and Students with a valid NUS card: £10
U16s: £3

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Have you had a look at the Club’s stylish new matchday programme yet? It’s still only £3 but now has 64 pages, with a soft laminate cover, high quality ‘finish’ and stunning photos. Saturday’s edition includes profiles of Woking legend Geoff Hamm and of another favourite from a more recent era, Grant Payne, both of whom are guests in the new Geoff Chapple Lounge; there’s an interview with ‘new boy’ Theo Lewis; Alex Beck comes up with some fascinating (and perhaps surprising) information about the fate of clubs promoted from the Conference to League 2; and we celebrate the opening, last Saturday, of the new Lounge; plus a round-up of all the recent Vanarama Conference games and much more, including match reports, previews and news of the Club’s community work. Make sure you try it out! If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

LAST SEASON

Chester 0 Woking 2
17 August 2013

The Cards registered their first win of the season despite playing the whole of the second half with only ten men following Josh Payne’s dismissal just before half-time for an alleged head-butt.

Mark Ricketts and Freddie Ladapo replaced Joe McNerney and Gavin McCallum in the side which had lost in midweek to Braintree Town. A fairly even first half became feisty towards the interval, leading to Payne’s dismissal. It looked as though the home side would take advantage as Seddon hit the post shortly after the break but ten-man Woking took the lead in the 58th minute through a fine strike by Gavin Williams, cutting in from the left flank.

Joe McNerney, on for Ladapo, made it 2-0 five minutes later with a header from a John Nutter free-kick.

Chester hit the woodwork again but rarely threatened to thwart Woking’s first win of the campaign.

Woking 0 Chester FC 1
21 January 2014

A Cards side badly in need of reinforcements suffered its third defeat in four games as a determined Blues side grabbed a goal on 30 minutes and held on tight. A fine strike by Menagh gave Mason Springthorpe, replacing Sam Beasant in the Woking goal, absolutely no chance.

The Cards were missing Keiran Murtagh, who was suspended, and found it difficult to create chances. The most promising move came in the first half when Kevin Betsy was through on goal and appeared to be hauled down, but the referee waved play on and that was about as close as the toothless Cards got to registering a goal.

The defeat left the Cards only five points above the relegation places.

NEXT GAME

The Cards travel to improving Torquay United on Tuesday evening for what is likely to be a very demanding game. The Cards Trust is not running a coach to this match. The following Saturday the Cards travel again, this time to Bristol Rovers. (Book your place on the coach at the Club Shop on Saturday.) The next home game is another very attractive fixture, on Saturday 27 September, when old friends and foes Kidderminster Harriers visit Kingfield. How about booking a table in the Geoff Chapple Lounge?


Come on, you Cards!