Vital game on Monday evening

Woking v Hereford United
7.45pm on Monday 3 February 2014

Cards fans will be hoping that the Kingfield pitch will have dried out in time to allow Monday evening’s game against the Bulls to take place. They will be particularly keen to welcome back Jack Marriott and Scott Rendell, who formed such an effective partnership up front towards the end of 2013. Hereford are likely to prove a stiff test, being unbeaten in their last four league games. Come on down to Kingfield to cheer on the Cards in this crucial league game!

WOKING

It was a frustrating weekend for Woking fans as the grim weather dashed their hopes of seeing the Cards take on Forest Green Rovers. In the games that were played Lincoln City had a good home win over FC Halifax, which took them three points above Woking in the table, but Chester lost at home to Welling United so did not make up any ground and remain just above the relegation places. The Cards stay six points above Tamworth in 21st place, so a win on Monday evening would extend the safety margin to nine points, although Tamworth have games in hand.

HEREFORD UNITED

Hereford are having a difficult season, hampered by their precarious financial position: they launched an appeal in December for £35k to help pay that month’s wage bill. But they’ve had a good January on the pitch, winning two and drawing two – which was sufficient to win Martin Foyle the ‘manager of the month’ award.

They currently lie in 15th place in the table, six points above Woking, having played one game more. After a reasonably bright start to the season their form dipped in September/October, with only two wins in 12 league and cup games. Results picked up in November, including a 3-0 away thumping of Southport and a 3-2 win at home over FC Halifax Town, until the surprise 3-0 defeat in the Trophy at the hands of the Cards. Subsequently, the Bulls had a couple of good home wins against Cambridge United and Forest Green Rovers but lost at home to Nuneaton and away at Kidderminster on Boxing Day. Last month the Bulls drew away at Forest Green Rovers, beat both Southport and Salisbury City at home and drew away at Kidderminster Harriers.

Familiar names include striker Michael Rankine, midfielder Rob Purdie and former loanee at Kingfield, left-back Chris Bush. But they have lost Josh O’Keefe, sold to rivals Kidderminster Harriers. Other recent departures are loanee Micah Evans, Eric Odhiambo and Damon Lathrope.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

LAST TIME OUT

Hereford United 0 Woking 3
FA Trophy 1st Round
30 November 2013

A first-half onslaught crushed the Bulls in this Trophy tie. Keiran Murtagh made his debut in his third loan spell, with Mark Ricketts moving to right back and Mike Cestor starting alongside Joe McNerney at centre back.

The Cards took the lead in the 13th minute after Jack Marriott had made inroads into the Hereford defence, releasing Charles Banya, whose pinpoint cross was slotted home by Scott Rendell. Marriott made it 2-0 on 33 minutes, thumping the ball high into the net after his first effort had been blocked. Three minutes later it was 3-0 as Rendell was again in the right place to shoot home after the Bulls’ keeper could only parry shots from Kevin Betsy and Keiran Murtagh.

Woking: Sam Beasant, Mark Ricketts, Joe McNerney, Mike Cestor, John Nutter, Kevin Betsy, Keiran Murtagh, Josh Payne (Jack Parkinson 65), Charles Banya (Adam Newton 72), Jack Marriott, Scott Rendell (Gez Sole 78)

Unused subs: Aaron Howe, John Goddard

Hereford United: Daniel Lloyd-Weston, Dom Collins, Danny Leadbitter, Rod McDonald, Joel Edwards (Damon Lathrope 46), Micah Evans, Josh O’Keefe, Frankie Artus, Dan Walker, Sam Smith (Eric Odhiambo 46), Michael Rankine.

Unused subs : Rhys Evans, Chris Bush, Luke Graham

Goals: Scott Rendell 10, 36 Jack Marriott 33

Attendance: 1,041

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The 56-page matchday programme on Monday, produced for the original fixture date, is being sold at a bargain £2 and also includes an insert giving up-to-date squad information and Garry Hill’s thoughts on his recent signings. The programme itself includes an interview with new Cards Trust Chair, Peter Holdsworth, another ‘where are they now?’ feature by Liam Newman and memories by Richard Mason of a remarkable game. 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’ next home league game is not until Saturday 22 February 2014 when they entertain Macclesfield Town. Before then the Cards have three tough away trips: to Salisbury City on Tuesday 11 February, Gateshead on Saturday 15 February and Dartford on Tuesday 18 February. (The game originally scheduled for Saturday 8 February, away to FC Halifax Town, was brought forward and played on Saturday 7 December 2013.)

Come on, you Cards!