Cards aim to finish job
Brian Caffarey
4:40pm, Mon 12th Jan 2015
Woking v Oxford City
FA Trophy 2nd Round Replay
7.45pm on Tuesday 13 January 2015
The Cards will be hoping to ‘finish the job’ (in Garry Hill’s words) on Tuesday evening, having let slip a 2-0 lead on Saturday in the Second Round of the FA Trophy. Whoever wins the tie will be at home to in-form Dover Athletic in the next round on 24 January. Come on down to Kingfield tomorrow evening to cheer on the Cards!
WOKING
Woking dominated Saturday’s game in the first half and in the early part of the second half, taking a 2-0 lead through Kevin Betsy and substitute John Goddard. They had opportunities, too, to extend that lead but failed to take them. A dubious penalty in the 70th minute gave City a lifeline, which they grabbed only four minutes later with a header from defender Declan Benjamin.
Mark Ricketts was on the bench on Saturday but, as at Gateshead, did not figure in the game.
OXFORD CITY
City lie 9th 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 nine 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. Pearson converted Saturday’s penalty.
Manager Justin Merritt has said that Oxford can play a lot better than they did on Saturday – so the Cards must not think that they’ve seen the best that City can offer.
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.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults: £15
Over 65s and Students with a valid NUS card: £10
U16s: £3
Season ticket holders are reminded that this is an ‘all pay’ game.
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the matchday programme on Tuesday night,including match reports, previews and news of the Club’s commercial initiatives. If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk
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 you are there!
Come on, you Cards!