Glen Harrington
11:35am, Mon 30th Nov 2020
Woking vs Sutton United
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 1st December 2020
The Cards begin a hectic December schedule on Tuesday evening when Sutton United will be the visitors to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for an enticing National League fixture.
Woking will go into the game off the back of successive high-scoring victories, having added an impressive 4-1 win over Barnet to the 5-1 success at Dover Athletic four days earlier. Last time out, a stunning strike from Kane Ferdinand, his fifth of the season, as well as a Barnet own goal, gave Alan Dowson’s side an early two goal advantage. Charlie Cooper’s untimely red card, given for two yellows inside two minutes, looked to have swayed the game back towards the visitors, but second-half strikes from Max Kretzschmar and Dave Tarpey deservedly ensured the hosts took home all three points, despite Barnet’s late consolation from the penalty spot. The Cards will now face a huge test of their play-off credentials, with eight games spread across the next 28 days, including six league matches.
Sutton currently sit three points and one place above the Cards in second, with six wins and two draws from their first 10 games, whilst their goal difference is also near identical with just one more goal scored, and the same number conceded. On Saturday they ended a three-match league run without a victory as they defeated FC Halifax Town 1-0 thanks to an early Harry Beautyman penalty. Recent results saw them beaten 4-0 at a resurgent Wrexham, draw 3-3 at newly promoted Wealdstone, and held to a 1-1 home draw by Dagenham & Redbridge. The U’s were knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round by Bromley.
Woking – Team News
The Cards will be without Charlie Cooper following his sending off against Barnet. Dowse will be hoping that Tommy Block, who’s been out injured for the past month, will be fit to return in his place. Alternatively, Max Kretzschmar could drop into a deeper role alongside Kane Ferdinand and Ben Dempsey, with Matt Jarvis coming back into the starting line-up. Ben Gerring, an unused substitute for the past four games, has joined Oxford City on loan as he continues his return to full fitness.
Sutton United – The Boss
Matt Gray was appointed as Sutton boss in May 2019 following the resignation of long-time stalwart Paul Doswell. Gray had already been at the club since the previous December as part of Doswell’s coaching team and has done a fine job since stepping into the top job, leading Sutton to a comfortable mid-table finish last season, before seemingly kicking on again this campaign. This is Gray’s first managerial position having previously had spells as an assistant manager at Eastleigh, Aldershot Town, and Crawley Town.
One to Watch
Midfielder Harry Beautyman, a former Woking trialist, is always a danger and has scored four goals already this season. He netted 15 last campaign, including two against the Cards, and was named in the National League team of the season. A two-time England C international, his career has also taken him to the Football League, where he’s featured for the likes of Stevenage, Northampton Town, and Peterborough United, following time with Welling United and a first spell at Sutton.
Last Time Out
Sutton United 6-2 Woking – National League (1st January 2020)
This was one of the darker days in an otherwise successful return season to the National League for the Cards. Alan Dowson’s side were missing several key players on this occasion, including strikers Jake Hyde and Dave Tarpey, but that couldn’t excuse an embarrassing defensive display as Sutton surged into a five-goal lead before the break thanks to a Harry Beautyman brace, plus goals from Ben Goodliffe, Tommy Wright, and David Ajiboye. Ibrahim Meite made the scoreline slightly more respectable with two second-half goals, before Craig Dundas added insult to injury in stoppage time.
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Next Up
The Cards have back-to-back away games coming up with a challenging trip to Notts County followed by a visit to newly promoted National League North side Altrincham.
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