Cards aim to extend unbeaten run on Non-League Day

Woking v Lincoln City
3pm on Saturday 6 September 2014

Garry Hill is hoping for a big crowd on Saturday on Non-League Day – and his side certainly deserve great support after another terrific performance at Wrexham, including two top-class goals, saw them soar to fourth place in the table, following on from the 6-1 thrashing of Dover Athletic in their last home game. So, relish this break from Premiership ‘bling’ and come on down to Kingfield to see this talented, entertaining, resilient Woking side take on yet another of the Vanarama Conference’s former League sides. The game is also a big day off the pitch at Kingfield, marking the opening of the new Geoff Chapple Lounge. Support your local club!

WOKING

The signs are that this Woking side are good enough to challenge for a play-off place this season. Of course, we’re only six games into the campaign but the performances so far have borne out the feeling among Woking fans, pre-season, that the squad Garry has assembled is even stronger than the one that finished last season in such great form, with real depth in what is admittedly still a small squad compared with some of their full-time competitors. Much can happen in a long season but the talent is there.

Garry clearly realises, and shares, the increased expectations. Gone are the mantras of the last two seasons about achieving consolidation in the Conference Premier and just concentrating on getting to 50 points. After finishing 12th and 9th in the last two seasons, the implicit target is to challenge for a play-off place.

Dean Morgan’s arrival seems to have given the side that extra bit of invention and guile up front: he may not be the easiest of players to manage – or perhaps play with sometimes! – but if anyone can get the best out of this talented player it is surely Garry Hill and Steve Thompson, constantly looking to tweak formations and personnel in their search for the right blend but always demanding commitment and hard work. And, with leading Conference scorer Scott Rendell and a resurgent Gez Sole up front too, the Cards look a constant threat going forward, backed up by, amongst others, the creative force of Josh Payne and Keiran Murtagh in central midfield.

Adam Newton may be a doubt as the result of the injury he suffered at Wrexham, which led to a first-half substitution.

Aaron Howe commented, in his post-match interview, that he feels that ‘there is something special going on at Woking’. Come down to Kingfield and be part of it!

LINCOLN CITY

The Imps, who came a disappointing 14th last season in their third campaign following their relegation from the League, started this season strongly, drawing at home to Kidderminster Harriers and then registering two impressive 2-1 away wins at Altrincham and Barnet and a 3-2 home win over Braintree Town. But they have lost their last two games: 3-2 away to FC Halifax Town and 3-1 at home to Torquay United. However, they had a player sent off in each of their last three matches, including as early as the 8th minute against Torquay. They successfully appealed against Tony Diagne’s red card in the Braintree game but Nat Brown will be missing on Saturday as a result of his dismissal against the Gulls.

City have a strong-looking squad and, on paper at least, seem likely to provide the stiffest challenge yet to Garry Hill’s side as the Cards start a tough September sequence of games. Up front, the Imps can call on top scorer Ben Tomlinson, who netted 20 goals last season; Jordan Burrow, a new signing from Stevenage, who scored against Altrincham and Barnet; and local lad Conner Robinson. A recent addition is ex-Card Delano Sam-Yorke, returning to Sincil Bank for another loan spell from Cambridge United. In midfield or central defence a player to watch is clearly former Algerian U20 international Hamza Bencherif, who was originally with Nottingham Forest and who has scored three goals already. Other new signings include winger Sahr Kabba, who signed for an undisclosed fee from Havant and Waterlooville; and Karl Ledsham, whom we have previously seen playing for Southport. Other familiar names include ex-Hatter Arnaud Mendy, skipper Alan Power and left-back Sean Newton.

ADMISSION

Adults: £15
Over 65s and Students with a valid NUS card: £10
U16s: £3

BOOST THE BUDGET

There will be a Boost the Budget bucket collection on Saturday. Please give as generously as you can. Better still, sign up for regular monthly donations! Garry has shown on a number of occasions how valuable these additional funds can be in enabling him to strengthen the squad at key stages in the season.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The Club’s stylish new matchday programme reflects the Club’s ambitions. It’s still only £3 but now has 64 pages, with a soft laminate cover, high quality ‘finish’ and stunning photos. Saturday’s edition includes Glenn Cockerill, Guest of Honour for the day, writing about his strong connections with both Lincoln City and Woking; Scott Rendell amusingly answering some quick-fire questions; Ian Nicholson celebrating lower league football; and an interview with Executive Head Chef, Steve Tremblay, who will be cooking for Geoff Chapple Lounge patrons; plus a round-up of all the recent Vanarama Conference games and much more, including match reports, previews and news of the Club’s community work. Make sure you try it out! If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

LAST SEASON

Woking 0 Lincoln City 0
10 August 2013

The opening game of the season proved to be a hard-fought, cagey affair, with relatively few chances created by either side. In what was to become a familiar story, the Cards looked short of striking options and, not for the last time, Garry Hill resorted in the second half to throwing Joe McNerney up front to disturb an otherwise fairly comfortable Imps’ back line. Woking finished the stronger of the two sides but a draw was a fair result.

Lincoln City 2 Woking 2
25 January 2014

An exciting encounter saw both sides gain the ascendancy at different stages. With Kevin Betsy and Gez Sole up front, the Cards started quickly, hitting the post and bar in the opening ten minutes. Lincoln then pressed but it was Woking who took the lead on 19 minutes, Betsy netting from a narrow angle. The lead lasted less than five minutes, Nat Brown levelling after Lincoln had made easy progress down the right flank. The Imps then went ahead just before half-time, Ben Tomlinson curling his shot past Mason Springthorpe. Woking fought back well in the second half, eventually grabbing an equaliser in the 73rd minute after Anthony McNamee’s shot had been deflected to Gez Sole, who calmly stroked the ball home. There was a final twist in the last minute of normal time when Betsy was brought down in the area. But Farman made an excellent save from Sole’s spot kick.

NEXT GAME

The Cards travel to local rivals Aldershot Town on Tuesday evening for an eagerly-awaited game. The Shots have been in great form too, so this should be a terrific, fiercely-contested match. The Cards Trust coach leaves at 6pm and the cost is £5 for members and £10 for non-members. Book your place at the Club Shop on Saturday or ring (01483 772470) or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk on Monday.

The next home game is on Saturday 13 September when Chester City are the visitors.


Come on, you Cards!