Glen Harrington
11:52am, Thu 23rd Feb 2023
Woking vs Wealdstone
Vanarama National League
Saturday 25th February 2023
Woking will be looking to cap off a fantastic week with three points on Saturday afternoon when they host Wealdstone in National League action.
It’s been an exceptional few days for the Cards, bouncing back from last weekend’s defeat at Altrincham, with the club announcing contract extensions for manager Darren Sarll and striker Reece Grego-Cox, before claiming a crucial three points at home to Bromley on Tuesday evening. Sarll’s side were under pressure after falling behind to Mitchel Bergkamp’s opener, but as so often has been the case this season, came to the fore when it mattered the most – equalising through Scott Cuthbert’s first Woking goal, with Josh Casey getting an assist on his 200th Woking appearance, before Jim Kellermann headed in the winner on the stroke of half-time.
The only downside on Tuesday was the red card for striker Rhys Browne, who barring any late appeal, will start a three-match suspension against his former club this weekend and will also miss the games away to Yeovil and Oldham. This could mean an opportunity to start for Marcus Dackers, scorer against Altrincham, or a returning Grego-Cox, who is expected back from injury next month. Elsewhere, Sarll made five changes to his team against Bromley, with Luke Wilkinson, Jim Kellermann, Kyran Lofthouse, and James Daly coming back into the team, whilst there was a debut for goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen.
With the Cards preparing for an eighth game in less than four weeks more changes are likely, although one man who won’t feature is defender Charlie O’Connell, who has been recalled by Peterborough.
Opposition Watch
Wealdstone have continued to perform above expectations this season and are currently in 11th place with 45 points from 31 games. And whilst their early season form, which saw them amongst the early pacesetters, has somewhat dropped off, they are still well placed to challenge for a place in the top seven come the end of the season. They are currently five points adrift of the final play-off place with a game in hand – and are just 10 points adrift of an out-of-form fourth-place Chesterfield.
Their recent form is solid, with eight points from their last five matches, with wins over Dagenham and York, draws at Yeovil and Chesterfield, and a defeat away to Wrexham. Their home form is stronger however, with no win in seven on their travels, stretching back to a win at York in mid-November – a streak which also includes defeats at Barnet and Chelmsford City (in the FA Trophy).
Manager Stuart Maynard has assembled a squad which includes several former Woking players, including goalkeeper Sam Howes, defender and captain Jack Cook, midfielder Max Kretzschmar, and winger Tarryn Allarakhia. Other notable players including striker Corie Andrews, who enjoyed a successful loan with Aldershot last year, and started this season at Torquay, as well as former Shots skipper Lewis Kinsella. Their top scorer, remarkably, is still Rhys Browne with seven. Of their current crop, Olufela Olomola, with six, is the dangerman.
Recent Meetings
• Wealdstone
1-1 Woking – 4th September 2022, National League (Anderson)
• Woking
2-0 Wealdstone – 22nd January 2022, National League (Effiong, Loza)
• Wealdstone
1-2 Woking – 21st August 2021, National League (Kretzschmar 2)
• Woking
2-4 Wealdstone – 29th May 2021, National League (Own Goal, Gerring)
• Wealdstone
0-1 Woking – 23rd March 2021, National League (Diarra)
Tickets
When pre-purchased, ticket prices are £20 for Adults, £15 for Concessions, £12 for Next-Gen and £5 for Under 16s. Tickets bought on the gate on the day are charged at an additional £2.
Season ticket holders can claim a free additional ticket for Saturday's match. Tickets must be claimed online pre-match and cannot be claimed on the gate. This offer will be valid to claim until Friday 24th February, 15:00.
For more information and to book your ticket please
click here.
