Cards target Trophy win

Oxford City v Woking
FA Trophy 2nd Round
3pm on Saturday 10 January 2015

Garry Hill has made no secret of the fact that he’s keen to take the Cards to Wembley to contest an FA Trophy Final. An away tie to Conference North side Oxford City is not to be viewed lightly – City have been in very good form recently – but it’s a game that Garry Hill’s side ought to be capable of winning if they put in a good performance. Make the trip if you can – and, if you can’t, why not listen online?

WOKING

The Cards secured a very creditable draw at Gateshead on Wednesday night to remain in 6th place in the Vanarama Conference table, although Eastleigh will have the chance to leapfrog them again this weekend when the Spitfires, beaten by the Cards in the last round of the Trophy, take the opportunity to play one of their games in hand.

Garry Hill’s side were also buoyed during the week by the news that Jack Marriott’s loan had been extended till the end of the season and that Chris Arthur had signed a contract after leaving AFC Wimbledon. Further good news followed on Wednesday evening in the form of the sight of Mark Ricketts on the substitutes’ bench following his long recuperation from an injury originally sustained in early September. Cards fans will be hoping that it won’t be long before Scott Rendell returns from his lingering injury.

Garry will no doubt field his strongest possible side for this encounter, bearing in mind that the Cards don’t have another league game till the following Saturday.

The winners of Saturday’s tie will pocket £6k in prize money.

OXFORD CITY

City lie 8th in the Conference North, one point below the play-off places, and are clearly a team to be reckoned with on current form, being beaten only once in their last eight league and cup games: a 4-0 defeat away at Leamington on Boxing Day, which was avenged by a 3-1 win on New Year’s Day at City’s ground. The ‘danger man’ is undoubtedly Adi Yussuf, second top scorer in the Conference North with 15 goals. He also netted two in City’s 3-0 defeat away at Wimborne in the First Round of the Trophy, following City’s 6-1 defeat of Lewes in the Third Qualifying Round. Yussuf is a 22 year-old Tanzanian who came up through Leicester City’s youth set-up before having spells at Tamworth, Burton Albion and Lincoln City amongst other clubs.

Oxford City have recently strengthened their strike force with the signing of Greg Pearson, perhaps best known for his productive spell with Burton Albion.

The two sides last met competitively as long ago as the 1987-88 season in the Isthmian League Division One. Woking won both games: 3-0 at home on Boxing Day and 4-2 away on 9 April 1988. Chris Youlton scored two goals in the latter fixture.

GETTING THERE

Oxford City FC and Community Arena
Marsh Lane
Marston
Oxford
OX3 0NQ

Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/oxfordcityfc

By coach

The Cards Trust coach leaves Kingfield at 12.30pm. The cost is £15 for members, £18 for non-members and £10 for an U16 accompanied by an adult. The advice earlier today was that there were very few places left: ring the Club Shop or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk to check availability if you have not already booked and want to travel on the coach.

By car

Leave the M40 at Junction 8 and take the A40 towards Oxford. Follow the A40 for seven miles and then leave and take the slip road signposted Marston and Hospital. At the top of the slip road turn left towards City Centre and Marston. You are now on Marsh Lane: the entrance to the stadium is just down on the left. There is a fair-sized car park at the ground which is free.

By train

The advice re train travel given on www.footballgroundguide.com is as follows: Oxford Railway Station is over three miles away from the stadium, so it is really too far to walk. So best to jump in a taxi up to the ground. Nigel Long adds: Alternatively, you can catch the number 14A bus (which is hourly, daytime only) direct from the station to the ground (Stop: Marston, adjacent Horseman Close). Alternatively, there is a more frequent bus service number 14 daytime and evening services from the station or the city centre to Cherwell Drive, which is a 10 minute walk from the ground. (Stop: Marston, adjacent Ewin Close). See the Stagecoach website for timetable information. You can also buy a 'PlusBus' ticket which allows an adult unlimited bus travel in Oxford for one day. This costs £4 per adult or £2 per child.

There are various routes from Woking to Oxford, including via Basingstoke or Guildford to Reading and then to Oxford. Look up times and prices on www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults - £11
OAPs/Registered Disabled - £6
Students - £3
U16s – Free

If a replay is needed, it will take place on Tuesday evening at Kingfield.

ONLINE COMMENTARY

If you can’t get to the game BBC Radio Surrey will be providing an online commentary at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13629210 Live Event 13

COMING UP

The Cards’ next game on Saturday 17 January, at home to Bristol Rovers, should attract one of the biggest crowds of the season as Bristol Rovers, no doubt with a huge following, visit Kingfield. Make sure the date is in your diary!


Come on, you Cards!