Cards hope for a change in fortune

Thurrock v Woking
7.45pm on Tuesday 16 March 2010

The Cards travel to Thurrock tomorrow evening for what, a few weeks ago, would have been a critical play-off clash. But Graham Baker’s side, following a disastrous run of six defeats and two draws, now sit eight places and nine points adrift of the play-off berths. Only an astonishing run-in could enable the team to recover lost ground now, with only ten games remaining. Thurrock too have slipped a little recently, with three defeats in a row, and now lie in 9th place, three points ahead of the Cards.

WOKING

To make matters even more difficult for Graham Baker, Matthew Wright begins his three-match suspension tomorrow evening. The Cards will continue to be without Jamie Slabber, recovering from his knee operation. New signing, Craig Faulconbridge, who came off the bench at Staines on Saturday, may be looking to start up front.

In the reverse fixture just over a month ago, on a day when the focus at Kingfield was on remembering Phil Ledger’s life, the Fleet triumphed 1-0 with a fine counter-attacking goal from Paul Olima.

THURROCK

Having escaped relegation last season thanks only to Team Bath’s demise, Hakan Hayrettin’s side were expected to struggle again in this campaign but instead have been consistently lodged at the right end of the table..

At home the Fleet have won 8, drawn 4 and lost 3, with 28 goals scored and 20 conceded.

Thurrock’s recent results have been:

6 Feb Woking 0 Thurrock 1
13 Feb Thurrock 0 St Albans 0
20 Feb Eastleigh 2 Thurrock 8
6 Mar Bath City 1 Thurrock 0
9 Mar Thurrock 1 Braintree Town 2
13 Mar St Albans City 1 Thurrock 0

The Fleet’s main danger men are Leon McKenzie, who re-signed from Bishop’s Stortford in September, with 12 goals, and David Bryant with 11. The speedy Fola Orinolishe also has to be watched. At the back Lee Flynn is a highly-experienced captain, having played for Hayes, Barnet, Stevenage and St Albans City amongst other clubs, and the lumbering Rob Swaine found Woking’s crosses ‘meat and drink’ in the first encounter.

GETTING THERE

Thurrock FC
South Way,
Ship Lane,
Aveley
Essex RM19 1YN

Website: www.thurrock-fc.com


By coach
Leaves 4.30pm. Members £10; non-Members £14. Phone the Club Shop (01483 772470) or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk to book.

By car
Head for the eastbound M25. When going through the Dartford tunnel use the left-hand bore. On emerging from the tunnel leave the motorway at the first exit, Junction 31. This leads to a large roundabout controlled by traffic lights. Take the third exit, which is Ship Lane, and the ground is about 75 yards on the right.

By train
Purfleet Station on C2C line (Fenchurch Street to Southend) is about 3 miles from the ground.
Chafford Hundred Station (Lakeside Shopping Centre) is about 2 miles from the ground. Bus route 372 runs from Lakeside to Ship Lane.

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget that the Cards’ next home game is this Saturday, 20 March, when they take on Frank Gray’s Basingstoke Town.