Cards hoping to find cutting edge in televised clash

Maidenhead United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 23rd November 2019

Woking will travel to Maidenhead United on Saturday looking to continue an encouraging run of form away from the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

The Cards were left frustrated last weekend as, despite being up against ten men for the last third of the game, they were unable to find a breakthrough against a resolute FC Halifax Town side who, like Woking, remain firmly in contention for at least a play-off place. It was the Cards’ first 0-0 draw in a competitive game since the stalemate against Boreham Wood in March 2018 and the first under manager Alan Dowson since his appointment at the start of last season. Dowse’s side have found goals a little hard to come by recently, scoring more than once in a game just three times since the end of August, but the players should be buoyed by an impressive away record which has seen the club register just two defeats on the road all season – at Yeovil and Bromley. Woking fans will also be hoping that a returning Jake Gray, recalled from a successful spell at Hampton & Richmond Borough, could be that extra ingredient which provides the missing piece of the puzzle going forward, starting this weekend at Maidenhead.

The Magpies are currently in 17th place with 25 points from 21 games, seven points behind Woking, but six points clear of the relegation places. They made an excellent start to the season, winning five of their first eight games, whilst accumulating 16 points before the end of August; but like the Cards they’ve found things getting a little tougher as winter has set in, winning just twice in the league since the start of September, beating Ebbsfleet and Solihull during the month of October – as well as knocking National League South leaders Wealdstone out of the FA Cup. So far this month they’ve lost twice away from home, at Aldershot and Boreham Wood, whilst they’ve also been beaten by League One Rotherham United in the cup. York Road has not always been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Cards, particularly against Alan Devonshire whose side won twice and drew once against Woking in 2017/18, although no doubt many Woking fans will fondly remember the win there in 2012 which sealed our promotion to the National League.

If you can, please do make the relatively short journey to support the team this weekend. If you can’t make it, remember to tune in to BT Sport for the 5:20pm kick-off, or better yet come along and watch the match in the Woking clubhouse where it will be shown following Sheerwater’s game that afternoon.

Woking Team News

Dowse named an unchanged side for the game against Halifax – with Craig Ross in goal, a back four of Jack Cook, Josh Casey, Ben Gerring and Moussa Diarra, a midfield trio of Glen Rea, Kane Ferdinand and Shaun Donnellan, with Jamar Loza, Dave Tarpey and Jake Hyde as the front three.

There will be some concern over Donnellan’s fitness following the heavy tackle he sustained against Halifax, resulting in the red card, with Godfrey Poku or Max Kretzschmar the obvious potential replacements. The boss could also play his wildcard in the shape of Gray, a more attacking midfielder by trade, who could bring a different element to the Woking attack. Otherwise, the team will likely remain settled.

Maidenhead United Team News

For last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Boreham Wood, Maidenhead started with the experienced Chris Dunn in goal, the man formerly of Northampton, Cambridge and Wrexham amongst others; in defence was Rene Steer, a full-back briefly on Woking’s books, Joe Ellul, who was sent off and will presumably be suspended for this game, Aron Davies, Ryheem Sheckleford and Seth Nana Twumasi, a former England youth international who is the product of Chelsea’s academy, he previously spent three years with Maidstone in this division.

In midfield was Ryan Upward alongside Josh Smile, whilst the forwards were Josh Kelly, former Guiseley and Hartlepool man Jake Cassidy, as well as Danny Whitehall. A couple of players to possibly look out for from the bench are former Aldershot pair Shamir Fenelon and Bernard Mensah, although the former wasn’t involved last time out.

Last Time Out

Maidenhead United 2-1 Woking – National League (10th April 2018)

A result which ultimately went a long way to sealing the Cards’ relegation that season. Woking, without a win in ten games coming into this encounter and in just the second match under the makeshift management team of Jason Goodliffe and Geoff Chapple, were far from at their best but did take a surprise lead through Jonny Edwards 15 minutes from time. The Magpies turned it around however with two late goals of their own, netting through Adrian Clifton and Sean Marks to steal all three points, with now Woking striker Jake Hyde coming on as a late substitute. The Cards ended up going down by a single point and many will have pointed to this one as a big missed opportunity.

On the Day

The ground can be found on York Road; the postcode is SL6 1SH – a drive of around 50 minutes from the Laithwaite Community Stadium. Maidenhead Railway Station is located less than half a mile away from the York Road Ground and is only a five-minute walk to the Bell Street turnstiles or ten minutes to the main entrance. The station is served by trains from London Paddington, Oxford and Reading.

There will be a coach for supporters running for this game. Travelling fans should arrive by 2:45pm for departure at 3:00pm. The cost Is £20 for adults and £15 for those under-16. Cards Trust members receive a £5 discount per person.

Ticket prices are £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for under-16s.

Next Up

The Cards are back in action on Tuesday evening at home to Bromley. We finish November with a trip to Boreham Wood next Saturday.