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Dowse demanding improvement as Cards play first home league game

Glen Harrington
12:00am, Sun 5th Aug 2018
Woking vs St Albans City
National League South
Tuesday 7th August


The Cards were given a stern test on the opening day of the new season as East Thurrock United gave Alan Dowson’s new-look Woking side an uncomfortable welcome back to the National League South.

After a self-confessed slow start the Cards steadily improved after the interval, helped greatly by the introduction of substitutes Reggie Young and Paul Hodges, and their efforts were eventually rewarded in stoppage time when Young won a penalty and Max Kretzschmar found the net from the spot.

In a refreshingly honest post-match interview Dowse insisted that he would be expecting an improved performance on Tuesday evening when his team host St Albans City at the Laithwaite Community Stadium – whilst his comments were also echoed by defender Nathan Collier.

Like Woking, St Albans weren’t at their best on Saturday, but just like the Cards they did enough to secure all three points thanks to a stoppage time winner – defeating Hungerford Town 3-2. With both teams looking to build on their encouraging starts we could be in for a great game, so come along if you can and enjoy the action.

Woking Team News

The Cards will hope to welcome back Jack Cook and Duane Ofori-Acheampong after the pair missed out on the squad for the opening game of the season through injury.

Against East Thurrock, Dowse started with Berti Schotterl in goal, a back four of Daniel Spence, Josh Casey – who captained the team – Ian Gayle and Collier, a midfield pairing of Christian Jolley and Kane Ferdinand, and a front four of Nicky Wheeler, Fabio Saraiva and Kretzschmar behind Jake Hyde.

However, with players on the way back and following the impact of Young and Hodges, that team could look very different on Tuesday evening. The somewhat surprise inclusion on the bench on Saturday, defender Kiran Khinda-John, has joined the club on a short-term deal following his trial period in pre-season to provide cover for the injured Charlie Wassmer.

St Albans City Team News

The Saints came from behind twice on Saturday as a brace from Ralston Gabriel and a 94th minute winner from Dave Diedhiou eventually saw them over the line against Hungerford.

Ian Allinson’s side lined up with Dean Snedker in goal; a back five of former Aldershot Town man Ben Herd, Welsh Under-21 international Tom Bender, goalscorer Diedhiou along with Tarik Moore-Azille and Percy Kiangebeni; a midfield of veteran David Noble, formerly of Bristol City and Exeter amongst others, and former Fulham youth team player Solomon Sambou; whilst Khale Da Costa, who trialled with the Cards a couple of summers ago, and Gabriel, who scored over 30 times for Haringey Borough last year, supported one-time Zimbabwe international David Moyo up front.

One to watch, who came off the bench on Saturday, is forward Zane Banton – the former Luton Town youngster scored 14 goals in all competitions last season.

Last Time Out

Woking 2-0 St Albans City (National League South – Tuesday 8th February 2011)

The two teams did actually meet in a pre-season friendly in 2015 when a Scott Rendell penalty was the difference between the sides. However, our last official meeting with the Saints came shortly after Garry Hill’s appointment as Woking manager back in 2011, in what was only his fourth game in charge. Moses Emmanuel, then Ademola, scored the first six minutes into the second-half before Keiran Murtagh made the result safe. Former Card Inih Effiong came on as a substitute for the visitors but was then forced off 25 minutes later.

Admission Prices

• Adults £15
• Over 65s £10
• Disabled (Including carer) £10
• Students (U19) £5
• U16s £5

Our matchday programme, ‘Cardinals’, will be on sale for £3. Don’t forget to grab your copy on the way in! You’ll also be able to visit the club shop for more great offers.

Next Up

The Cards are at home again on Saturday against Oxford City. The games are certainly coming thick and fast and our next away game is the following Monday, 13th August, against Wealdstone.

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