Hemel Hempstead Town v Woking
FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round
Saturday 14th October 2023
15:00 Kick-Off

Woking will hope to progress into the FA Cup First Round Proper when they face National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town at Vauxhall Road on Saturday.

This game will come as a welcome distraction for the Cards from league action, and will present an opportunity to further ease back returnees from injury such as Rohan Ince and Reece Grego-Cox. Woking will also hope that Josh Casey and Jim Kellermann will return after missing the Southend defeat.

Opposition Watch
Since we last played the Tudors in early 2019, Hemel have been a relatively steady mid table side in the National League South, with their last two seasons seeing them finish in 15th place twice, whilst in 2019-20 they finished 11th. Currently sitting 9th in the NLS, just two points off the playoffs, the Tudors have had a steady start, only losing twice in the league; their last defeat was at home to Weymouth in mid August, with a certain Alfie Pavey scoring for Farnborough as Hemel were beaten 2-1 the week before as well.

Brad Quinton was appointed manager in December 2022, and the former NLS play-off winner has guided the Tudors to some impressive results, such as a late 3-2 home win against professional outfit Torquay United and a 1-0 home win in their first game of the season against Yeovil Town. Their squad is full of EFL experience, with former Welsh international George Williams and former Barnet forward Daniel Powell providing experience up front along with one time Wolfsburg striker Kaylen Hinds.

26 year old midfielder Bayley Brown is also one to watch; the six foot five midfielder is the son of Woking legend Dereck Brown, who will know a thing or two about cup runs from his exploits with the Cards, and with Hemel already having beaten lower league sides Royston Town and Gorleston to get here, the Tudors will back themselves to get to the first round for the first time since going to Bury in 2014.

Last Time Out
The two fixtures in 2018/19 were relatively straightforward wins for the Cards, with an August visit to Vauxhall Road seeing Woking victorious by a 2-0 margin courtesy of second half goals from Max Kretzschmar and Duane Ofori-Achaempong.

In the reverse fixture, goals from Paul Hodges, Dave Tarpey and Harvey Bradbury were enough for a 3-1 win as the Cards chased the title. Ultimately they would go up via the playoffs in dramatic fashion, whilst Hemel would finish comfortably mid table.

Around the Ground

The nearest pub to Vauxhall Road is the Crabtree, where away fans can be assured of a warm welcome from the home fans, and Hemel has more bars and restaurants in town, around a 30 minute walk from the ground.

Ticket information is available here.

Hemel Hempstead train station is located around three miles from the ground, and is served regularly by trains from London Euston.