Cards looking to end Eastbourne’s unbeaten run in top of the table clash

Eastbourne Borough vs Woking
National League South
Monday 27th August

It’s first against fourth on Bank Holiday Monday as the Cards travel to Priory Lane, the home of Eastbourne Borough, looking to extend their lead at the top of the National League South table.

Alan Dowson’s side made it five wins out of six on Saturday with a 3-1 success against Truro City, courtesy of another dramatic second-half fightback, but they will face a tough challenge from the Sports tomorrow afternoon. Eastbourne sit three points back after three wins and three draws from their opening six fixtures – making them one of only two teams in the division yet to taste defeat.

Even at this early stage of the season the Cards will likely have one eye on the results and performances of Billericay Town and Concord Rangers, who sit second and third respectively after both dropping points on Saturday, and will be Woking’s next two opponents in a challenging run of games.

The team will really appreciate a strong travelling support on Monday so get down to Eastbourne if you can and lend your support!

Woking Team News

Dowse has promised changes on Monday as he prepares his side for a second game in 48 hours – and on an artificial 3G surface akin to those seen at Sutton, Maidstone and Bromley in recent years.

Charlie Wassmer could finally make his competitive Woking debut at centre-back after successfully coming through 45 minutes in an Under-23 game on Thursday evening whilst right-back Daniel Spence will be available again after suspension. However, Ian Gayle, who went off at half-time against Truro due to injury, could miss out.

Kiran Khinda-John, who performed well in the second-half on Saturday, will likely be competing with Wassmer for the final back four spot alongside Jack Cook – whose decisive brace earned the Cards all three points last time out.

In midfield, Kane Ferdinand and Armani Little are beginning to form an impressive partnership, although Dowse has implied that Christian Jolley is close to his comeback from injury. Paul Hodges could start in the ‘number 10’ role after his man-of-the-match performance from the bench on Saturday, whilst Reggie Young could also be utilised, having played just 10 minutes against Truro; Max Kretzschmar and Nicky Wheeler both had a strong second-half against the White Tigers and will be hoping to keep their places. Jake Hyde could also return alongside or in place of Duane Ofori-Acheampong.

Eastbourne Borough Team News

Borough also came from behind on Saturday but could only manage a 1-1 draw with St Albans City. Their wins this season have come against Chippenham Town (2-1), East Thurrock United (1-0) and Welling United (1-0). They’ve also drawn with Truro City (2-2) and Oxford City (0-0).

Against St Albans they played a 4-4-2 formation with Mark Smith in goal, a back four of Tom Day, Kristian Campbell, Harry Ransom and Tom Gardiner, a midfield of Kane Wills, former Ebbsfleet regular Michael West, ex-Brighton, Leyton Orient and Crawley Town winger Dean Cox and veteran wide-man Dave Martin, whilst up front was Lloyd Dawes and former Aldershot Town forward Charlie Walker.

Substitutes included former Crawley favourite Sergio Torres and former Woking loan striker Yemi Odubade, who scored seven goals in 15 appearances for the Cards during the 2014/15 season, whilst another ex-Card Ian Simpemba, who has played close to 200 games for the club, is still on their books.

Last Time Out

Eastbourne Borough 2-1 Woking (National League South – Saturday 24th March 2012)

The Cards came into the game on the back of five wins in a row in all competitions but fell to their fifth and final league defeat of a title-winning campaign at Priory Lane. Eastbourne led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Ben Watson and Alex Lacey; the Cards fought back after the interval with Giuseppe Sole scoring from the penalty spot, but couldn’t find an equaliser – a poor afternoon capped by Kevin Betsy’s red card.

On the Day

Priory Lane can be found in Langney – the postcode is BN23 7QH – it’s around a one hour and 40 minute drive from the Laithwaite Community Stadium. Trains will be running - the easiest station to reach is Eastbourne which involves a trip via Clapham Junction - and journey time is around two hours. It's then around a 15 minute taxi to the ground. Matchday ticket prices are £13 for adults, £9 for concessions, £5 for students and £1 for Under 18s. All stand transfers are free of charge.

Next Up

The Cards are back at home for the first weekend of September as they take on Billericay Town. This is followed by a trip to Concord Rangers seven days later and then another home match with a newly promoted team, Dulwich Hamlet, who travel to Kingfield on 15th September.