Cards target home win on Saturday

Woking v FC Halifax Town
3pm on Saturday 12 October 2013

Come down to Kingfield on Saturday afternoon if you possibly can to support Garry Hill’s side as they seek to build on their recent improved form and move up the league table. The Cards are unbeaten in their last three games and have played some enterprising and attractive football too. They were unfortunate not to grab all three points on Tuesday evening against Barnet and will be very keen to make home advantage pay on Saturday.

WOKING

There is no doubt that Garry Hill’s side are looking in much better shape than they did a few weeks ago and there is certainly no shortage of commitment, with the side giving their all. Scott Rendell continues to impress up front, whilst midfielders John Goddard, who won the ‘man of the match’ award on Tuesday, and Darren Murphy are now providing Garry with new options. Sam Beasant in goal has been in good form, as has the whole of the defence, with two clean sheets in the last three games.

Unfortunately, most of the other clubs at the wrong end of the table had good results on Tuesday night, so the Cards are still stuck in the bottom four. So, what we need now is another home win!

FC HALIFAX TOWN

FC Halifax Town was formed five years ago out of the ashes of AFC Halifax and, as seems to happen with ‘re-formed’ clubs, experienced a meteoric rise, with three promotions taking them to the Skrill Conference Premier. They have made a very encouraging start to this season, although all their 21 points, bar one, have come from their home games. (The single away point came in a 2-2 draw at Macclesfield Town.) It looked as though their away jinx was going to end at Luton Town last Saturday as they stormed into a 3-1 lead but the Hatters pulled off a great comeback, running out 4-3 winners. On Tuesday evening the Shaymen drew 2-2 at home with Nuneaton. The Shaymen currently sit in 12th place in the table, with 21 points.

Manager Neil Aspin strengthened the squad over the summer with some useful signings, including Matty Pearson, a midfielder/defender who had a successful loan spell from Rochdale last season; Adam Smith, a pacey winger from Lincoln City; Josh Wilson, an England C striker from Guiseley, who started his career in the Everton youth set-up; Marc Roberts, a defender from Buxton; Kevin Holsgrove, another former Everton youngster, who has impressed at Colwyn Bay and Guiseley; Simon Ainge, an England C defender, for whom Luton Town paid a five-figure fee to Guiseley as recently as summer 2012; and experienced midfielder/defender Keith Briggs from Kidderminster Harriers, who has since gone on loan to Barrow. A later addition was former Doncaster Rovers striker, Jordan Ball.

FC Halifax Town are, apparently, a big, strong, fit side, so the Cards’ defence will need to show their recent resilience at set pieces in particular. The NLP report of their game at Luton specifically referred to their long throws into the box but also commented on their pace and ingenuity and free-flowing football. Lee Gregory has a fine goalscoring record, having notched over 20 goals, including four hat-tricks, in last season’s promotion-winning campaign. Dan Gardner has scored five goals in the last seven games.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 65s and students (with valid student card) £10
U16s £3

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Don’t miss out on the Club’s excellent matchday programme! In another packed edition Ian Nicholson interviews Scott Rendell: find out more about Scott’s career and how he views his time at Kingfield. There is an international flavour too as Richard Mason compares non-League football in Italy with the set-up in England. Back home, Shayman Andy Gilchrist gives us an ‘opposing fan’ view. And of course there are all the usual match reports, previews, news and great photos. If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

NEXT UP

The Cards are at home to Lingfield on Monday 14 October in the Surrey Senior Cup (kick-off 7.45pm). They then travel to Wrexham the following Saturday (19 October) and will also find out next week who their opponents will be in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on Saturday 26 October. The Cards’ next home league game will be a testing encounter against high-flying Grimsby Town on Saturday 2 November.

Come on, you Cards!