Match Preview and Guide | Wealdstone (A)

Wealdstone v Woking
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 26th September 2023
19:45 Kick-Off

Woking will look to get back to winning ways when they make the short trip to North West London to take on Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale.

After their six game unbeaten streak was ended by York City in the dying seconds of Saturday's game, Darren Sarll's side will hope that their impressive away record can continue against a familiar foe in the Stones. With goalscoring being the main problem, Woking will hope that they can finally start converting their chances following two disappointing outcomes at the Laithwaite.

Opposition Watch
Wealdstone, having been promoted as National League South champions in 2019/20 on points per game, have somewhat established themselves in the fifth tier over recent years, with 19th, 16th and 13th placed finishes over the last three seasons under the guidance of Stuart Maynard.

Maynard has earned plaudits from many in the division for his side's bravery in possession and giving players a chance to move on to the EFL and beyond, with the most recent example of this being Sam Howes, of course two time former Woking keeper, who moved to League One Leyton Orient in the summer after being picked up from Horsham in summer 2022. After keeping many of their squad from last season, the Stones have only had to make a few additions to bolster their ranks, with Millwall pair Kyle Smith and Abdul Abdulmalik both on loan from the Championship side, as well as 'keeper Jed Ward from Bristol Rovers.

There is a strong ex Woking contingent at the Stones, but with Max Kretzschmar only making the bench on Saturday following injury, as well as Tarryn Allarakhia still being sidelined, the only ex Card likely to start will be popular centre back Jack Cook, as former Stones Rhys Browne, Charlie Wakefield, Sam Habergham and Dennon Lewis look set to be sidelined as well.

Nonetheless, it's been a mixed start to the season for Wealdstone, with three wins, three draws and five defeats in their eleven games so far; two of those defeats having been in the last two matches. However, all three wins have come at home, where the Stones have also drawn once and lost once, so it's going to be a tough task for Woking to take all three points at the Vale.

Last Time Out
Woking saw Max Kretzschmar come back to haunt them with an equaliser from the spot after Marcus Dackers opened the scoring with a header in a 1-1 draw at the Laithwaite in February, as the same scoreline was shared in the reverse fixture in September 2022 at Grosvenor Vale in front of the TV cameras. Kretzschmar's penalty was quickly cancelled out by a superb Jermaine Anderson strike, with both games ending with a point a piece.

Since Wealdstone were promoted into the fifth tier, Woking have won three of the six games, with two draws and a solitary Wealdstone win. Of course, no fan of either side needs to be reminded of the memorable 3-2 comeback win for the Cards in May 2019 to see them progress to the National League South playoff final, in a season where the Stones completed the double over the Cards in the regular season.

Around the Ground
Grosvenor Vale is served by a number of London Underground stations, with Ruislip Manor and Ruislip both on the Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines, whilst Ruislip Gardens is on the Central line, with all stations no more than a 15 minute walk from the ground.

There are a number of pubs, including a Wetherspoons (JJ Moons) next to Ruislip Manor station, or Woking fans are welcomed into the Grosvenor Vale clubhouse, where there are a number of beers and ales on tap, and Cards fans can be assured of a friendly and warm welcome.

Woking fans will be allocated the MODU stand and the Hawthorne Terrace behind the goal, which offers seating and standing, and there will be catering provided. Woking fans must enter the stadium through the away turnstiles which are clearly signposted at the entrance to Grosvenor Vale.

All fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance but any Woking supporters who wish to purchase a ticket at the ground should purchase one at the ticket box at the entrance to Grosvenor Vale where cash and cards are accepted.

Car parking is available at Grosvenor Vale for a fee of £5 and the car park will be open from 5. Access to the Grosvenor Vale Car Park for all vehicles will cease at 7.20 with the entire area becoming pedestrianised to allow fans on foot to arrive safely to the stadium.

Fans planning to drive are reminded that Grosvenor Vale sits within the newly expanded ULEZ zone.

Ticket details are available here.