Glen Harrington
6:09pm, Mon 27th Mar 2023
Woking vs Barnet
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 28th March 2023
The race for third place in the National League will continue to hot up on Tuesday evening when Woking host fifth place Barnet at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
Padraig Amond’s goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, his second of the game, won the Cards a critical three points over struggling Maidstone United on Saturday. It has kept Woking in pole position for a first-round bye in the end of season play-offs, although their advantage over fourth place Chesterfield has been cut to just one goal, after the Spireites beat Halifax 2-0. Fifth place Barnet are five points behind the pair, albeit with a game in hand, and have an 11-point cushion on eighth place Solihull – one of four teams on 55 points with an outside chance of a top seven finish.
Manager Darren Sarll made two changes on Saturday from the team beaten by Chesterfield the previous weekend, with Joe McNerney replacing the injured Luke Wilkinson, and Solomon Nwabuokei coming in for Ricky Korboa. Sarll also handed a Woking debut to Charlie Wakefield and a second debut to the returning Charlie O’Connell, who both drew plaudits from the manager for their impact on the game, along with fellow substitute Marcus Dackers. The Woking boss suggested on Friday that James Daly could be intention for this game after missing the last five through injury.
Opposition Watch
Much like Woking, Barnet have enjoyed an excellent season, performing well above expectations. After finishing 22nd and 18th in the last two seasons, they are currently fifth, with 66 points from 38 games. They have also reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy and they will face Gateshead on Saturday for a place at Wembley – one of two potential trips the Bees will hope to take there this year.
Their home and away records are very similar, with 36 points won at home and 30 away from home. Their 71 goals scored is the third highest in the league, behind only Wrexham and Notts County, whilst Nicke Kabamba’s tally of 19 makes him the fourth highest scorer in the division. Their defensive record is less impressive, with 61 goals conceded, more than relegation-threatened Yeovil and Gateshead.
Their recent form is mixed – they took just six points from seven games between their fifth and sixth round FA Trophy games in mid-February and mid-March, losing five, but have taken seven points from their last three outings – beating Yeovil and Wealdstone, and claiming a credible draw with Notts County. They won 2-0 away to local rivals Wealdstone on Saturday.
Manager Dean Brennan has plenty of attacking potency in his team. As well as Kabamba, both Harry Pritchard (11) and Idris Kanu (9) have been regular scorers this season. Their squad also includes a significant ex-Woking contingent, with former loanee Kabamba joined by Moussa Diarra and Jamar Loza, although the latter is currently on loan at Cheshunt in National League South after a brief stay with former boss Alan Dowson at Dartford.
Recent Meetings
• Barnet
2-0 Woking – 20th August 2022, National League
• Barnet
0-2 Woking – 19th March 2022, National League (Diarra, Loza)
• Woking
1-2 Barnet – 27th November 2021, National League (McNerney)
• Barnet
0-2 Woking – 20th February 2021, National League (Loza, Diarra)
• Woking
4-1 Barnet – 21st November 2020, National League (Ferdinand, Own Goal, Kretzschmar, Tarpey)
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. Home supporters can also take advantage of the ‘Two for Tuesdays’ bundle and attend next month’s mid-week game against FC Halifax Town.
For more information and to book your ticket please
click here.
