WOKING v HALIFAX TOWN

3pm on Saturday 3 March 2007
Nationwide Conference

Halifax have suffered something of a hangover this time around, following last season?s success. They currently sit 18th in the league, after last weekend?s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Northwich Victoria.

Don't forget it's ?1.50 a pint in the clubhouse and launch of Cardinals Own bottled ale!

LAST SEASON
The Shaymen put together a strong push for promotion last season. The club finished in 4th position, and a play-off with Grays Athletic was at hand. Halifax won the tie 5-4 on aggregate to set up a play-off final with Hereford United. However, Halifax lost 3-2 in extra time in a game in which they were denied an early penalty. John Grant, who joined Aldershot in the summer, ended up as the top goal scorer, with 12 league goals, followed by Lewis Killeen with 9. They lost just once at the Shay, 2-0 on the last day of the season against Canvey Island, but were defeated 8 times on the road. We were beaten 1-0 in the away fixture a year ago, and drew 2-2 in the match at Kingfield, Karl Murray and Steve Ferguson getting on the scoresheet.

THE HALIFAX SQUAD
Several notable players left Halifax during the summer. John Grant headed off to Aldershot, and ?keeper Ian Dunbavin departed to Accrington, following a loan spell with Scarborough. Experienced defender Steve Bushell is now with Altrincham, and Denny Ingram left a year ago. In have come former Hereford ?keeper Craig Mawson, and midfielder Tom Kearney from Bradford City. Manager Chris Wilder can also look to experienced defender Gus Uhlenbeek to bolster the back four. Former Stevenage striker Darryn Stamp joined the Shaymen in the transfer window, having had a previous loan spell with the club back in 2000.

RESULTS SO FAR
Results haven?t been so easy to come by this campaign. Away form again seems to be their undoing; they?ve won just three times away from the Shay, at Rushden, Cambridge and Stafford. The Shaymen won just one of their first 9 games, but picked up mid-season with notable wins over Dagenham and ourselves. They won their first game in 5 matches away at Stafford Rangers two weeks ago, followed by an emphatic 4-1 win at home to Weymouth on the Tuesday evening. Stuart Beavon opened the scoring for the visitors before Felix Bastians equalised on 34 minutes. Neil Trotman gave the home side the lead shortly after the interval. Gus Uhlenbeek added two more for the Shaymen before a midfield melee and red cards for Tyrone Thompson and Conal Platt threatened to spoil the game. Last Saturday Halifax were knocked out of the FA Trophy as Kidderminster ran out 3-1 winners at Aggborough and things didn?t get any better on Tuesday evening with a 2-0 defeat at home to Northwich Victoria.

OUR RECENT RECORD AGAINST HALIFAX

2002/03
07/12/2002 Woking 2 - 1 Halifax 1,734
29/03/2003 Halifax 1 - 1 Woking 1,558

2003/04
18/10/2003 Woking 2 - 2 Halifax 1,917
24/04/2004 Halifax 2 - 2 Woking 1,191

2004/05
08/10/2004 Woking 2 - 1 Halifax 1,864
23/04/2005 Halifax 3 - 1 Woking 1,398

2005/06:
29/10/2005 Woking 2 - 2 Halifax 2,054
28/03/2006 Halifax 1 - 0 Woking 1,465

2006/07
Halifax Town 3 Woking 0

Woking remained in 10th position in the Conference table after suffering a 3-0 defeat away to Halifax. Just before half time veteran Gus Uhlenbeek put the hosts 1 up. The ball was played through the Woking defence, on loan keeper Michael Poke came to get the ball from outside the area, but Uhlenbeek rounded him and put the ball into an empty net. Midway through the second half a long shot was parried by Poke but Nathan Joynes was first to react to tap the ball home from on the line. Danny Forrest made it 3-0 late on to claim the victory.

Come on, you Cards!