Cards looking for hat-trick of away wins after Wednesday night madness

Slough Town vs Woking
Vanarama National League South
Saturday 17th November

The Cards are looking to make it three away wins in the space of seven days on Saturday as they travel to play-off chasing Slough Town. The game follows last Saturday’s superb 1-0 win over Torquay United in the FA Cup and Wednesday evening’s incredulous 4-3 comeback win over Gloucester City.

Alan Dowson saw his side come from 3-1 down against the Tigers. After initially taking the lead through a Max Kretzschmar penalty, three goals in seven minutes including an unfortunate Ben Gerring own goal left the visitors with a mountain to climb, but Jake Hyde pulled one back before half-time, Kretzschmar grabbed a late second in bizarre circumstances as on loan Bristol City keeper Alhaji Sesay sliced his clearance against him and saw it rebound into the net, before the home side returned the earlier favour and diverted the ball into their own goal with virtually the last kick of the game – despite defender Jack Cook’s best efforts to claim a third goal of the season.

Slough, who were promoted from the Southern League Premier Division via the play-offs last season, have started strongly this season – advancing to the first-round proper of the FA Cup, where they face an upcoming replay with Sutton United, and amassing 24 points from their first 15 league games – leaving them in 13th place but with a couple of games in hand on many of the teams around them. In fact, if they were to win their game(s) in hand, they’d most likely be sitting in the top seven.

Whilst we appreciate that three long trips in the space of a week is a lot to ask, we know that the players and management team would be extremely grateful for your support this weekend. We hope to see you there!

Woking Team News

Dowse found himself with a depleted squad on Wednesday night. Nathan Collier was absent due to a family bereavement, for which we wish both Nathan and his family all the best, and was replaced by Ian Gayle; Charlie Hester-Cook, who has been a revelation since his first-team debut last month, missed out due to suspension – having accumulated yellow cards during his spell with Westfield earlier this season as well as with the Cards; whilst Jamar Loza only managed just over 20 minutes before limping off with a slight injury which, hopefully, shouldn’t keep him out this weekend.

The boss also suggested on Wednesday that Christian Jolley, who hasn’t played since August due to a career-threatening injury, could complete his miraculous recovery and return to the match-day squad this weekend. Kane Ferdinand and Charlie Wassmer remain out with the latter on loan at Leatherhead.

Slough Town Team News

The Rebels’ last league action came at home to Concord Rangers at the start of November, a game they won 1-0, and that afternoon managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood selected former AFC Wimbledon and Staines man Jack Turner in goal; a back four of Sean Fraser, Josh Jackman, Mark Nisbet and Lee Togwell; in midfield was Lee’s brother Sam, who has experience in the Football League with Barnsley, Scunthorpe and Chesterfield amongst others and was most recently with Eastleigh, alongside former Aldershot-loanee Scott Davies, who made close to 100 appearances for the Shots in all competitions across three spells; out wide were James Dobson, scorer on the day, and Warren Harris; whilst up front was Chris Flood and dangerman Matthew Stevens, on loan from Peterborough United, scorer of eight goals in all competitions so far this season and 25 for Kettering last term.

There are two former Woking players in the Slough squad, defender Alan Inns and striker Manny Williams, but neither have featured recently. One other player to watch out for, who was on the bench last time out, is midfielder Louie Soares, another ex-Aldershot man who spent four years with our neighbours including two in the Football League and last year has a successful season with Hungerford.

On the Day

Arbour Park can be found on Stoke Road; the postcode is SL2 5AY – a drive of around 40 minutes from the Laithwaite Community Stadium. The nearest station is Slough which is a 15 minute walk away.

Supporters can also book a place on the travelling club coach which departs at 1.30pm. The cost for trust members is £15 adults and £10 for under-16s – with a £5 increase for non-members. To book your place please contact Adam Bowyer (adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk) or call the club shop.

Matchday ticket prices are £13 for adults, £9 for concessions, £5 for students, £3 for children aged 5-15 and free for all those under the age of 4. There is no additional charge for a seat in the stand.

Next Up

The Cards are in FA Trophy action in seven days’ time as we host Folkestone Invicta in the FA Trophy. That’s followed by a trip to League 2 Swindon Town in the FA Cup and then an away game at Croydon in the Surrey Senior Cup. New dates for the league games against Welling United and Dartford are still to be confirmed.