WEYMOUTH v WOKING

WEYMOUTH v WOKING
3pm on Saturday 19 January 2008

The weather forecast for Friday and Saturday heightens fears that this match may have to be called off: keep in touch with the official site for more news. If the game does go ahead, can the Cards build on the hopeful signs in recent performances and gain something from this trip? A few weeks ago the Terras looked to be in a bad way, not having won a league game since 20 October and with the acrimonious ? but hardly surprising ? departure of our old ?friend? Jefferson Louis. But Jason Tindall seems to be turning things round: a shock 1-0 victory at Oxford United last week has been followed by a 0-0 draw against Kidderminster in the Trophy. Nonetheless, the Cards will be disappointed if they don?t get at least a point out of this trip to a side below them in the league table.

WOKING

The bitter disappointment of the Cards? defeat in the FA Trophy last weekend has given way, in part at least, to a sense of cautious optimism about progress on the pitch. There have been hopeful signs, even amongst the three recent defeats at the hands of the Shots, that the side is beginning to come together. The defence, in spite of leaking three late goals last Saturday, is basically sound ? as our ?goals against? record demonstrates. In Tom Hutchinson and Jay Gasson we have two central defenders who are, arguably, as good as any other pairing in the BSP. A weakness has been the lack of a specialist right back but Matt Gray performed well there last weekend against the tricky Joel Grant. We will miss the class of Kevin James (now a Crawley player) in midfield but Matt Pattison and Bradley Quamina, in their very different ways, have both shown signs of growing confidence, whilst Adam Green has looked increasingly solid on the left, if not a great attacking force. The biggest bonus last Saturday was the hugely promising new partnership up front of Marvin Morgan, playing his best game since his debut back in August, and new signing Jason Norville, who scored a fine goal and who seemed to bring the best out of Marvin. But we will need to see how this works out in a few more games before we can make a considered judgment.

Frank Gray will still be missing Paul Lorraine (suspended) and Matt Ruby (recovering from an operation on his hand), but Giuseppe Sole will be available, having served his one match ban. Subject to any last-minute injury worries, the odds must be that Frank will start with the same side that kicked off last Saturday.

WEYMOUTH

Weymouth started off last season as though they were intent on vaulting straight into the League but a financial ?meltdown? in autumn 2006 saw Garry Hill and many of his expensive squad depart. The Terras faltered as they drafted in a host of young players but steadied the ship to end in 11th place.

Player-manager Jason Tindall brought in his fair share of new faces in the summer. They included Marcus Browning as player/coach. Browning is a former Welsh international and arrived from Bournemouth. Other arrivals included Justin Roberts, a 20 year-old defender from Nottingham Forest, who had a trial at Woking at one stage; Stuart Douglas, the former Luton Town forward who has also appeared for Dagenham and Redbridge and Crawley Town; midfielder Paolo Vernazza, previously with Arsenal and Watford before spells with Barnet, Rotherham and the Daggers; Sido Jombarti, a Portuguese midfielder; Scott Doe, a 19 year-old midfielder from Swindon Town; Jonathan Stewart, a 19 year-old keeper, also from Swindon Town, who surprisingly quit the club a month ago; Kyle Critchell, a 20 year-old defender from Southampton, returning to his home town club; and of course Jefferson Louis, formerly with Oxford, Bristol Rovers, Woking, Stevenage, Lewes, Eastleigh etc etc.

The main departures in the summer were former Card, Raphael Nade, who joined Ebbsfleet United, and central defender Tony James, who moved to Burton Albion. Those re-signing include the experienced campaigners Trevor Challis, Nick Crittenden, Ashley Vickers (currently injured) and Simon Weatherstone. Narada Barnard, who appeared in friendlies for us, is also in the Terras squad.

Callum Hart joined Jefferson Louis in leaving the club ?by mutual consent? over the Christmas holiday period. Coming in the other direction have been 19 year-old striker Wilfried Domoraud, on loan from Yeovil Town; Michael Malcolm, another striker, who?s been on loan at Thurrock from Rushden and Diamonds; central defender Bondz Ngala, on loan from West Ham; Adam Gross, the Grays left-back; David Roberts, a keeper from Bangor City.

SEASON SO FAR

The Terras, after an opening day home win over Halifax Town, found themselves with early encounters against what turned out to be most of the top sides. This put them in the lower reaches of the table and that?s where they?ve remained. Their undoing has been their home form: they?ve won 3, drawn 1 and lost 7 at the Wessex Stadium. Victories have come against Halifax, Ebbsfleet and Northwich, the draw against Cambridge, whilst they?ve lost to Burton, Rushden, Stafford, Crawley, Aldershot, York and Salisbury. The Terras have lost their last four home league games, including an embarrassing 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Salisbury City on New Year?s Day. Just over a week ago at Oxford, however, they came away with a surprise 1-0 win, thanks to a strike from winger Gavin McCallum: their first league win since 20 October.

In the FA Cup the Terras lost 1-0 at Cambridge but are still going strong in the FA Trophy and the Setanta Shield. They beat Wealdstone 1-0 away in the First Round of the Trophy and drew 0-0 at home to Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday. They got the better of Salisbury in the Setanta Shield and are at home to Ebbsfleet in the next round.


PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

In November 2006 the Cards enjoyed a 4-0 win at home over the Terras ? which came as a bit of a surprise after four successive league defeats. Giuseppe Sole opened the scoring from a free-kick and then Tom Hutchinson buried a header to put Woking 2-0 ahead at the break. Craig McAllister got the third after initially missing a penalty and Goma Lambu netted the fourth. Last March we completed the double over Weymouth, gaining three vital points in a 3-2 win. The Cards were 2-0 down at half-time as a result of strikes from Raphael Nade and Simon Weatherstone but fought back superbly in the second half, with goals from Tom Hutchinson, Craig McAllister and another Giuseppe Sole ?special? to grab the win.

This season we drew 1-1 at Kingfield in early September. The Terras dominated the first half but didn?t take the lead till the 60th minute, Jefferson Louis heading in Paolo Vernazza?s free-kick. But Woking produced their own bit of Italian magic when Giuseppe Sole smashed home a lay-back from Marvin Morgan following the latter?s fine run.

GETTING THERE

Wessex Stadium,
Radipole Lane
Weymouth
Dorset
DT4 9XJ
Tel: 01305 785558
Fax: 01305 766658
Website: www.theterras.co.uk

by coach ? why not take it easy and go on the Supporters? Club coach? It leaves Kingfield at 11am and the cost is ?17 for members and ?21 for non-members. Ring the Club Shop (01483 772470) to book a place.

by car ? entering Weymouth on the A354 from the Dorchester direction, you will reach a roundabout (Manor Roundabout). Take the 3rd exit, still on the A354, signed to 'Town Centre', and follow the brown signs for 'Wessex Stadium'. At the next roundabout (Chafeys Roundabout), turn right on to the B3157 (3rd exit), still following the brown signs. About half a mile ahead, you will see the stadium in front of you. Take the 3rd exit at the next roundabout, then immediately left for parking and entrances to the ground. The AA gives the journey from Kingfield as 114 miles, with a driving time of just under two and a half hours.

by train ? you can get a direct train from Woking to Weymouth. The 10.32 arrives at 13.22 and the 11.32 arrives at 14.22. Weymouth railway station is situated in King Street, which is two miles from the Wessex Stadium, so, unless you fancy a hike, a bus or taxi is recommended. There is a special bus service to the ground at 2pm from Bus Stop K2 next to the Tourist Information Centre on the seafront. Direct trains back are at 03 minutes past the hour.


OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW

? admission prices: Adults ? Terrace ?13, Stand ?15, Premier Stand ?16, Concessions ? Terrace ?8, Stand ?10, Premier Stand ?11, Under 16s ? Terrace ?5, Stand ?7, Premier Stand ?8
? car parking - ?1 per car if you get there early
? food/drink - in the Away section there is a decent catering van which serves burgers, hot-dogs, chips, hot and cold drinks etc. Away fans also have the use of the 'The Barclays Suite', which is located downstairs in the main stand and accessed from the car park side. The bar serves a range of beers, lager, cider and soft drinks.


Come on, you Cards!