Cards looking to make winning return to league action

Woking vs Welling United
Vanarama National League South
Wednesday 9th January 2019

The Cards will look to make it eight league wins in a row on Wednesday evening when they host Welling United at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, where only a win will help keep pace with Torquay United at the top of the National League South table.

It was a wonderful day for Woking Football Club on Sunday, as Premier League Watford came to town and were made to work for their eventual 2-0 victory, in front of a capacity crowd in excess of 5,700. The defensive quintet, particularly centre-backs Ben Gerring and Jack Cook, put in performances to be proud of up against a whole host of players with European and international experience, the likes of Jake Hyde and Jamar Loza worked tirelessly up front, whilst Christian Jolley, in just his tenth game back from a career-threatening injury, turned in another impressive midfield display. However, manager Alan Dowson and his coaching staff will know all too well that the huge amount of credit their team has built up will count for little if they aren’t able to immediately refocus and come up with another strong performance in the league this week.

They will also have far from an easy challenge with promotion-chasing Welling the visitors in a repeat of the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie played at Kingfield back in October. Steve King’s side currently sit in sixth place with 41 points from their 24 games, eight points behind the Cards after two games more, and despite a recent blip in form will be one of the favourites to finish the season in at least a play-off place. They spent much of the first quarter of the season at the top of the table alongside Woking and Billericay, but have dropped off the pace with a run of two wins in seven games, including recent defeats at the hands of Torquay, Hampton, Concord and Dartford, although they did manage to get a win last time out as they beat Truro City 5-3.

It was great to see a full house last weekend and the team would no doubt appreciate another big crowd to cheer them on this week as we look to continue our promotion challenge. Please come along if you can!

Woking Team News

Dowse made just two changes on Sunday as Hyde and Loza returned to the starting line-up in place of Paul Hodges and the injured Max Kretzschmar. Returning loan signings Armani Little and Harvey Bradbury had to settle for a place on the bench.

It will be interesting to see whether Dowse keeps faith with the same team once again. Despite the tight turnaround and the intense work-rate required from his team against Watford, the defence and midfield in particular have been a settled presence over the course of our recent winning run, with only Kretzschmar’s potentially continued absence causing any major concern.

The Cards have plenty of options to fill their top scorer’s spot with Hodges, Bradbury, Greg Luer and Nicky Wheeler no doubt hoping to grab that opportunity, whilst Aaron Eyoma – not involved at the weekend – could also provide a more natural wide option before his upcoming return to Derby.

Welling United Team News

Welling’s attacking players were certainly on form last Saturday, although they were given a late scare by the Cornish side, before eventually coming away with the win. For that game they started with Dan Wilks in goal; a back four of Danny McNamara, former Woking loanee Craig Braham-Barrett, Thierry Audel, who was with Barrow last season, and Josh Hill who was part of the Braintree promotion winning team last season.

In midfield they had one of King’s former Whitehawk regulars David Ijaha, Julien Anau and ex-Luton Town and England C international John Paul Kissock; while a dangerous front three included Matt Paterson, who scored twice at Kingfield for Oxford City earlier this season, along with Danny Mills, who is on loan from Garry Hill’s Ebbsfleet United, and Bradley Goldberg who has been a regular scorer at this level for Bromley in the past.

There are further Woking connections in the Welling squad in the shape of winger Gavin McCallum, an unused substitute against Truro, and defender Richard Orlu who is now on loan with Hampton and Richmond. A former Hampton player, who Dowse will know well, is Brendan Kiernan who has been a regular in the Welling squad this season.

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.

Remember, this is voucher number 11 for season ticket holders.

Next Up

Woking’s game at Truro City on Saturday as been postponed due to our opponents continued participation in the FA Trophy. That means our next game will be away to in form St Albans City the following Saturday, the 19th January. Our next home game is one week later against Wealdstone.