William Bewsey
1:30pm, Thu 31st Oct 2024
Woking vs Cambridge United
Emirates FA Cup First Round
Saturday 2nd November 2024
15:00 Kick-Off
Woking host League One opposition in the form of Cambridge United on Saturday as the Cards look to upset another EFL side in the famous competition.
Michael Doyle should have a near-full squad to choose from depending on the fitness of Raheem Conte, with fan favourite Timi Odusina recovering from injury to put in an impressive cameo last time out. Dan Moss was the goalscorer in last week’s 1-1 home draw with Forest Green Rovers, and he’ll be hoping for another man of the match performance against the U’s.
Opposition Watch
The League One table was terrible reading for Garry Monk and his Cambridge side before kick-off at home to Wigan Athletic on the 19th October, with the U’s rock bottom having accumulated just one point from their opening nine games, the lowest total across England’s top six divisions at that stage.
Fast forward to now and Cambridge are just a point and a place from safety, with three wins and three clean sheets against Wigan, Stevenage and Burton Albion. Sharing four different goalscorers and with a settled defence, Monk will be sleeping much better than a couple of weeks ago, and his rejuvenated side will fancy their chances of making the second round for the fourth consecutive season.
Last season, Cambridge made Round Three, where they were defeated 5-2 at Blackburn Rovers. Some might remember their famous win at Newcastle United at the same stage back in 2022, where Joe Ironside secured a 1-0 win.
Then-National League North side Guiseley were the last non-league team to defeat Cambridge in this competition with a 4-3 home triumph back in 2018, when the U’s were a League Two side. Garry Monk will be hoping to avoid any slip ups in Surrey, with all eyes on the Laithwaite this Saturday.
Around the Ground
Tickets are available to purchase online
here.
Please note, ticket prices will rise by £3 on the gate, so book online.
From midday there will be significant delays, Guildford to Woking road. Fans are advised to seek alternative routes and ensure that you leave in good time to make kick-off. As kick-off will not be delayed due to traffic. Home fans, gates open at 12.30pm and away fans, 1pm, so there is ample of opportunity to arrive in good time.
Last Time Out
The sides last met in the league during the 2013-14 season, with Cambridge winning 3-0 at the Laithwaite and 2-0 at the Abbey Stadium.
There have been three meetings in the FA Cup between these sides, with Cambridge victorious in 1988 and 1989 and Woking running out as winners in 1996 by a 2-0 margin. Interestingly, all three FA Cup meetings have been won by the visiting side, a record Woking will be hoping to break.
