Up for the Cup!

Woking v Eastleigh
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
23 October 2010

Let’s hope Woking fans turn up in numbers not only to support their team in this vital FA Cup tie but to join in a minute’s applause for Colin Lippiatt, whose death was announced a week ago. It’s fitting in a way that Colin’s wonderful contribution to the Club and to non-League football in general should be celebrated on an FA Cup tie day: a competition with which he and Geoff Chapple will forever be associated when football historians and fans recall great Cup triumphs.

WOKING

The Cards could do with a boost, with much recent gloomy news on and off the pitch. Colin’s death follows closely on that of another Club giant, Phil Ledger, both of whom seemed to epitomise the soul of the Club and its links with its glorious past. On the pitch, the team continues to struggle, especially in the scoring department, with only seven goals scored in eleven league games. But the Cards have made it – if somewhat hesitantly – to this stage of the FA Cup, bringing the tantalising prospect of reaching the First Round Proper and the chance of a glamorous, money-spinning tie.

Graham Baker seems to be re-shuffling his pack, with Andy Forbes already having gone on loan to Sutton United and Elvis Hammond coming in the other direction – and there are rumours of other players offered on loan or possibly on their way to Kingfield.

As usual, the conundrum will be who will Graham play up front, given that no one is currently banging in the goals. Last Saturday he started with Craig Faulconbridge and Ola Sogbanmu, replacing the latter with Elvis Hammond (who is not Cup-tied), but Dave Gilroy sat it out on the bench.

At the back Graham Baker will have Adam Doyle returning from suspension.

EASTLEIGH

The Spitfires finished last season in a disappointing 11th position despite scoring more goals than any other BSS outfit. They’ve made a solid start to this campaign, currently sitting in 7th place with 17 points from 11 games. Away from home they’ve won two, drawn one and lost two. They’ve reached this stage of the FA Cup in convincing fashion with a 2-0 home win over Bognor Regis Town and a comprehensive 5-0 away demolition of Clevedon Town.

As if to highlight the Cards’ goalscoring problems, Jamie Slabber (briefly with Woking towards the end of last season but injured most of the time) has been hitting the target for Ian Baird’s side, having notched six so far. Eastleigh have a strong-looking squad – Baird describes it as ‘far and away the best group I’ve had since I’ve been at Eastleigh’. They include Tom Jordan at centre back and the tricky Richard Graham down the left flank, augmented recently by Tony Taggart on loan.

ADMISSION CHARGES

This is an ‘all pay’ game, with usual league admission charges:

Adults - £12
Juniors (u16s) - £2
Concessions / Students - £8

The Cardinals’ Bar will be open to both sets of fans from 12 noon, with a special offer of draught beer at £2 a pint till 1.30pm and live football action on the big screen. There will also be a free draw for a bottle of bubbly for everyone in the bar with a drink during the Club’s 90-minute promotion.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Saturday’s matchday programme will contain special tributes to Colin Lippiatt. If you can’t get to the game, you can order one from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk


Come on, you Cards!