The Cards Face Must Win Game

Woking v Cambridge United
7.45pm on Thursday 10 April 2014

It shows just how far the Cards have come in the space of a couple of short months, that they were a team leaving promotion chasing Grimsby on Tuesday night, devastated to have not picked up all three points.

While the 2-2 draw did give Garry Hill’s side a very much deserved point – Woking’s first in four meetings against the Mariners since their return to the Conference Premier last season – it left any faint play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

The Cards have a very attractive fixture tomorrow evening when Cambridge United, lying second in the table, visit Kingfield. A win could move Woking as high as ninth in the table, just three points adrift of the top five ahead of Saturday’s equally important fixture against Alfreton.

Regardless of whether or not the Cards are able to achieve the unthinkable, and finish in the top five, it has been a wonderful late run from a Woking team that are now unbeaten in seven league games. So come down to Kingfield, if you possible can on Thursday, and Saturday to cheer on the team!


WOKING

Not often to a team take the lead twice in the final six minutes of game, and still not manage to win it. However, the Cards suffered late heartbreak yet again against a Grimsby team, who seem to be making an unwelcome habit of scoring late goals against Woking.

On a more positive note, results elsewhere on Tuesday night went predominately in the Cards' favour. Alfreton were thrashed 4-1 at home by Aldershot, Braintree were beaten 1-0 by Macclesfield, Forest Green and Kidderminster played out a 1-1 draw, while Barnet dropped points with the same scoreline at Southport.

The Cards face a very stiff test in the shape of promotion chasing Cambridge, who themselves have plenty to play for. Defeat at Kingfield will officially hand Luton Town the Skrill Premier title, as well as allowing opportunity for their play-off rivals to close the gap behind them.

Woking have no fresh injury worries ahead of tomorrow’s game, with goalkeeper Aaron Howe the only long-term absentee.


CAMBRIDGE UNITED

The U’s started the season very strongly, leading the way until a poor spell, coupled with Luton’s fine run, saw them overhauled by the Hatters. Nevertheless, United, who won the FA Trophy Final against Gosport Borough a couple of weeks ago, look certain to achieve a play-off place.

Recent league form has been good, with Richard Money’s team also unbeaten in seven league games, stretching back to a 3-2 defeat by Forest Green. That run has seen four wins, against Welling, Salisbury, Macclesfield and Southport, and three draws against Luton, Dartford and Barnet. The U’s have also scored in each of their last nine games – with the last time they failed to score being against Braintree in late February, when they lost 1-0.

The U’s have an extremely talented squad, including forwards Adam Cunnington, Tom Elliott, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Andy Pugh and former-Card Delano Sam-Yorke. However, top scorer Luke Berry has managed just 12 league goals this season.

Their success is based heavily on their excellent defence, who have conceded just 27 league goals this season. Kevin Roberts, Greg Taylor, Tom Bonner and Ian Miller are amongst their options at the back, while as well as Berry, they also have the likes of Ryan Donaldson, Tom Champion, Harrison Dunk and Josh Gillies in midfield.


ADMISSION PRICES

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


MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The Club is publishing a single programme, priced at the usual £3, to cover both this game and Saturday’s game against Alfreton Town. Highlights include an interview with Woking chairman, Mike Smith, who reflects on the season on and off the pitch and looks at the prospects for next season. Ian Nicholson interviews captain Mark Ricketts, who sets out his views on the season and also picks his ‘best 11’ from the players he’s played with at Woking. Glen Harrington looks at all the promotion and relegation issues affecting the Conference leagues: something which will be very much of interest to both visiting teams. 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


LAST TIME OUT

Cambridge United 2 Woking 0
23 November 2013

A frustrating afternoon because for much of this game the Cards played some fine football, more than matching their table-topping hosts. Unfortunately, Woking’s Achilles heel – conceding early goals – had meant that getting anything out of the game was a remote prospect against a very mean U’s defence.

Woking had been boosted by wins against Dartford and Hyde in their previous two games but the defensive frailties evident against Hyde were all too apparent at the Abbey Stadium as a nervy and disorganised defence shipped a goal inside three minutes, Harrison Dunk side-footing home after the defence had failed to clear their lines. Scott Rendell headed a decent chance over the bar before, with only fifteen minutes gone, more hesitant defending allowed Dunk to head home his second goal of the afternoon.

The Cards went on to dominate possession in the second half but rarely troubled a very efficient Cambridge defence.

Woking: Sam Beasant, Adam Newton, John Nutter (Gez Sole 80), Mark Ricketts (Gavin Williams 75), Joe McNerney, Jack Parkinson (Mike Cestor 46), Kevin Betsy, Josh Payne, Scott Rendell, Jack Marriott, Charles Banya

Unused subs: Aaron Howe, Niall Wright

Cautions: Mike Cestor 52, Mark Ricketts 66, Jack Marriott 69, Adam Newton 83, Joe McNerney 90, Josh Payne 90

Cambridge United: Chris Maxwell, Greg Taylor, Josh Coulson, Ian Miller, Tom Champion, Adam Cunnington (Delano Sam-Yorke 78), Harrison Dunk (Michael Spillane 86), Richard Tait, Liam Hughes, Luke Berry, Kwesi Appiah

Unused subs: Will Norris, Mitch Austin, Nathan Arnold

Goals: Harrison Dunk 3, 15

Attendance: 3515


NEXT UP

The Cards are at home again on Saturday when they take on play-off chasing Alfreton Town. Make sure too that you’ve got the last home game of the season firmly in your diary: the eagerly awaited clash with Aldershot Town at 1pm on Easter Monday (21 April).


Come on, you Cards!