Cards looking to make it six in a row to end year on a high
Glen Harrington
1:49pm, Fri 28th Dec 2018
Woking vs Eastbourne Borough
Vanarama National League South
Saturday 29th December
Eastbourne Borough are the visitors to the Laithwaite Community Stadium tomorrow as they take on a Woking side going in search of a sixth successive league victory.
To coin an old cliché it’s been a year of highs and lows for the Cards. Just three wins in 21 games between January and April saw the club relegated from the National League but, eight months on, Alan Dowson’s new-look side have gone a long way to repairing the damage of that miserable run and now sit on the verge of matching our best run of league results for almost five years. It was April 2014 when the Cards last managed six consecutive positive results in the then Skrill Premier, a run that included that iconic win at Luton, but with Dowse looking to return the club to non-league’s top table at the first time of asking it’s imperative that this team is able to match that tomorrow and end 2018 on a high.
It’s coming up to eight years since Eastbourne last played in the top tier of non-league football and despite starting this season strongly their run of seven consecutive seasons outside of the National League South play-off places doesn’t look likely to come to an end anytime soon. They currently sit in sixteenth place, with 27 points from 21 games, six points adrift of the top seven and 13 behind the Cards after two games more. In fact, after starting the season with a six-game unbeaten run which was eventually ended by Woking back in August, they’ve picked up just 15 points out of a possible 45. They’ve also lost their last four games in all competitions including a 4-0 thrashing by Steve Thompson’s Dorchester Town in the FA Trophy.
Despite all of that, the Sports should not be underestimated, especially as they have a habit of picking up results against the Cards. They were just one of five teams to beat us during our 2011/12 promotion season whilst they also won 4-0 at Kingfield back in January 2009.
We hope to see you there on Saturday to support the team!
Woking Team News
Understandably, Dowse named an unchanged team on Boxing Day from the side that thrashed Billericay Town last Saturday, and was rewarded with a 3-1 win over former side Hampton & Richmond Borough. However, a tired looking second-half performance suggested that the Woking management team might consider changes for this game, particularly with the return game against Hampton and the Emirates FA Cup tie with Premier League Watford on the horizon.
The Woking boss has a number of strong options to call upon should he wish. Paul Hodges and Greg Luer both made an excellent impact from the bench on Wednesday with the latter scoring the decisive third goal in stoppage time to make the game safe. Loan signings Aaron Eyoma and Noel Leighton have also been used sparingly so far and could be given their chance whilst the likes of Ian Gayle, Charlie Hester-Cook, Nicky Wheeler and Duane Ofori-Acheampong will no doubt be keen to state their case for a place in the squad when the BT Sport cameras come to town next week.
Eastbourne Borough Team News
Jamie Howell’s last league outing ended in a 2-1 defeat to Dulwich Hamlet meaning they are now without a win in the league since the 1st December when they beat Wealdstone. It could mean changes are in order for the Sports who will be keen to end their losing run.
Last time out they named former Aldershot Town keeper Mark Smith in goal; a back four of Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Tom Gardiner, Harry Ransom and Kristian Campbell; in midfield was Reading-loanee Joel Rollinson, vice-captain Kane Wills, skipper and former Crawley Town favourite Sergio Torres and former Southend United regular Ryan Hall; while up front were ex-Leyton Orient dangerman Dean Cox supporting Lloyd Dawes.
In terms of ex-Woking connections, veteran defender Ian Simpemba remains a squad player, whilst striker Yemi Odubade is currently on loan at Weymouth.
Admission Prices
• Adults £15
• Over 65s £10
• Disabled (Including carer) £10
• Students (U19) £5
• U16s £5
Our matchday programme 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
Woking travel to Hampton on New Year’s Day in a 1pm kick-off. Please remember that the game is segregated and tickets must be bought in advance. Watford are then the visitors on Sunday 6th January.
