Huge test for Cards tomorrow

Woking v Welling United
3pm on Saturday 2 April 2011

Tomorrow is a big day for Woking FC, both on and off the pitch. Last Saturday’s defeat at Eastleigh threatens to destroy all the magnificent work Garry Hill’s side has done in getting themselves into contention for the play-offs. Now 6th in the table, Woking face a Welling side who have trounced other play-off rivals in recent games. It couldn’t be much tougher! Come on down to Kingfield to cheer the side on! Tomorrow also sees the launch of the Cards Trust’s important Boost the Budget initiative: a real test of Woking fans’ support for their Club. Make sure you pick up a leaflet.

WOKING

The Cards will want to obliterate the ‘horror show’ at Eastleigh and will be hoping that the defensive frailties shown there were only a temporary aberration. Cards fans will have fingers crossed that Aswad Thomas will be fit enough to resume duties at left-back.

The Woking faithful will be expecting to see several new faces. Transfer deadline day saw the arrival of two young QPR midfielders, Michael Doughty and Sam Bewick, both of whom are highly rated at Loftus Road, and AFC Bournemouth striker Lyle Taylor, who played for Lewes against the Cards only a few weeks ago. Earlier in the week Garry signed keeper James Pullen, who can be expected to take up a place on the substitutes’ bench. The ‘downside’ is that we learned of the departure of Jay Davies, recalled to Peterborough so that he could sign a two-year deal with play-off rivals Farnborough.

Jay’s departure, following that of Kieran Murtagh, means the end of a very successful midfield partnership. We can only hope that Michael Doughty and Sam Bewick turn out to be good replacements.

Other play-off games on Saturday include Basingstoke v Ebbsfleet United, Dover Athletic v Bishop’s Stortford, Havant and Waterlooville v Chelmsford City and Staines Town v Eastleigh.

WELLING UNITED

The Wings’ form this season is even more impressive than a casual glance at the table suggests. They were deducted five points for financial irregularities and, but for that, would be right on the heels of Braintree Town and Farnborough. Moreover, they’ve been subject to a transfer embargo, only lifted on 11 March, so Player-Manager Jamie Day’s feat in producing such a successful side is hugely impressive.

The Wings’ recent results, starting with last Tuesday’s defeat of Eastleigh, have been:

Welling United 4 Eastleigh 2
Chelmsford City 0 Welling United 2
Welling United 1 Ebbsfleet United 1
Eastleigh 1 Welling United 4
Welling United 1 Dorchester Town 2

Lee Clarke, the former St Albans striker, scored all four goals in Tuesday’s game, including two from the penalty spot. Eastleigh had a man sent off just before half-time but pulled the score back to 3-2 before Clarke made the game safe for the Wings.

Day has recently signed centre-back Ben Martin from St Albans. Andy Pugh and Luis Cumbers have been the Wings’ top marksmen.

In the FA Cup Welling bowed out 2-0 away to Braintree Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round, whilst in the FA Trophy they lost 2-1 at home to Luton Town in a 3rd Qualifying Round replay after drawing 0-0 at Kenilworth Road.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

This season
Welling United 2 Woking 0
18 September 2010

This was a classic ‘game of two halves’, with Woking well on top in the first period but failing to take their chances and being duly punished following the break. It was Andy Pugh who gave the visitors the lead soon after half-time, latching onto a long ball and lifting it over the advancing Lenny Pidgeley. Seven minutes from time, with Welling well on top, Loick Pires’s quick free-kick caught out the Woking keeper as he prepared his wall, and the game was over.

Last season
Welling United 1 Woking 2
8 August 2009

The Cards’ first-ever Blue Square South fixture saw them come from behind to secure victory. But the game started badly with Aswad Thomas conceding an early penalty, tucked away by Dean Cracknell. Woking had plenty of the resulting play, with Luke Medley failing to capitalise on several chances. It was not until the 75th minute that Woking equalised, Aswad Thomas powering home a header. Five minutes later Gez Sole was tripped in the box and duly despatched the penalty. Any thoughts of ‘walking this league’ were soon vanquished by a 2-1 home defeat by Chelmsford City a few days later.

Woking 0 Welling United 5
20 February 2010

The Cards went into this game on the back of three straight defeats, whilst Welling were unbeaten in their last eight games – and the difference in confidence soon showed. Missing Tom Hutchinson and Harry Arter, the Cards went behind to an Andy Pugh tap-in just before half-time. Things weren’t helped by Mark Ricketts’s departure only 40 minutes into his come-back game. Pugh made it 2-0 soon after the break and then it was 3-0 as Whitnell executed a deft flick. Pugh, from the spot, made it 4-0 and then Finn made it 5-0. A dreadful day for Cards fans in the middle of Woking’s worst run of the season.

ADMISSION

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

The bar will be open from 12 noon with a special promotion both before and after the Woking v Welling match. From 12pm until 1.30pm ALL DRAUGHT beers will be £2 a pint, which gives you a bargain on Fosters, London Pride bitter and Guinness.

There will be football on the big screen from 12 noon and fish and chips available from Seafare inside the ground which you can bring back into the bar.

After the Woking v Welling main event, there will be more live action, with ALL DRAUGHT beers again £2 a pint until close.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

See the earlier news item for details of our great matchday programme, which includes an analysis of the ‘run-in’ of the play-off contenders and a profile of new interim Chairman Mike Smith. Buy a copy and support the Club!

Come on, you Cards!

N.B. Please bear in mind that the Kingfield Road Bridge is closed to vehicles. Pedestrian access will remain via a footbridge, but those travelling by car to the ground may have to take a diversion. For more details about the diversion, including a map, please see the Woking Borough Council website: www.woking.gov.uk/en...nmap


Don’t forget that the Cards are at home again on Tuesday evening, when Dorchester Town are the visitors.