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Cards start FA Trophy campaign against Dover

Glen Harrington
8:58am, Sat 19th Dec 2020
Woking vs Dover Athletic
Buildbase FA Trophy
Saturday 19th December 2020


Woking will begin their FA Trophy campaign this afternoon as they welcome National League strugglers Dover Athletic to the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

These two sides have met once already this season, with the Cards winning 5-1 at Crabble, but manager Alan Dowson will know that his side could face a tougher test this time around. But the Cards will come into the game off the back of, arguably, their best performance so far this season, having dispatched Hartlepool United 3-0 last time out, with the goals coming from Matt Jarvis, Jack Cook, and Slavi Spasov. Dowse will also be desperate for a run in the competition, having fallen at the first hurdle for each of the past two seasons, going out in extra time at Maidstone United in 2018/19, before a shock exit at the hands of Kingstonian last season. As three-time winners, the Cards have a proud history in the competition, and will no doubt be keen to reach a first final since 2006.

Dover remain routed to the foot of the National League table, with just six points so far, although it’s worth noting that having played just nine times so far, they do have as many as four games in hand on the teams around them. Their wins against Notts County and Eastleigh also prove they’re not to be underestimated. Their last game was a 2-0 defeat at King’s Lynn Town back in November. Coincidentally, King’s Lynn also knocked Dover out of last season’s FA Trophy, winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Norfolk. The Whites’ best performance in the competition was a run to the semi-finals in 1997/98.

Woking – Team News

Dowse will have close to a full squad available for this game. Max Kretzschmar starts his three-match ban following his red card in the last game. Kane Ferdinand is still nursing an injury suffered against Notts County but is close to returning. John Goddard and Tyler Reid are both available after being out of the squad for several weeks. Youngster Jayden Wareham and Jack Skinner, who made his league debut last weekend, will no doubt be eyeing an opportunity to impress. Woking fans will also be hoping new signing Jamar Loza, confirmed by the club on Friday, has signed in time to make his third debut for the club.

Dover Athletic – The Boss

Andy Hessenthaler has been in charge at the Crabble since 2018, having joined from fellow National League club Eastleigh. He’s currently in his second-spell with Dover. He won two promotions during his first period with the club between 2007 and 2010, whilst he also finished his playing career. The former midfielder has also played and coached at Gillingham, along with a brief spell at Leyton Orient.

One to Watch

Striker Ade Azeez is one of the more established names in Dover’s new-look squad. The former Charlton Athletic academy graduate has Football League experience with AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge United, and Newport County. He’s also played in the Scottish Premiership for Partick Thistle. Last season he spent time on loan at Torquay United. He’s scored once this season, getting the winner in the 3-2 success against Eastleigh.

Last Time Out

Dover Athletic 1-5 Woking – National League (17th November 2020)


These two sides met a little over a month ago. The home side struck first, with Steven Rigg opening the scoring, but it was all Woking after that. Josh Davison headed home Josh Casey’s cross to level before Kane Ferdinand nodded the Cards in front from a Charlie Cooper free-kick. Casey then combined with Ferdinand to make it three before half-time, before Max Kretzschmar made it four, after more excellent work from Davison. Slavi Spasov bundled in number five from close range as the Cards scored an emphatic win and all three points.

Next Up

The Cards are back in action on Boxing Day when they travel to neighbours Aldershot Town. Our next home game comes two days later when Eastleigh will be the visitors in a game set to be shown live on BT Sport.

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