Boz's Fruit & Veg

Another vital game on Tuesday

Brian Caffarey
9:37pm, Sun 22nd Mar 2015
Woking v Torquay United
7.45pm on Tuesday 24 March 2015

The Cards’ superb win over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday has put them right back in the mix for that hotly-contested fifth play-off place. If they could win again against Torquay United they would be only one point behind Rovers. Garry Hill is looking to Woking fans to come along in numbers on Tuesday evening to cheer on the team in another vitally important game. Make sure you are there!

WOKING

It was almost a perfect day on Saturday for the Cards. Not only did they win a crucial ‘six pointer’ but they saw two play-off rivals, Eastleigh and Gateshead, lose, while FC Halifax managed only a point. The win put the Cards four points behind Forest Green Rovers with a game in hand and moved them up to seventh place in the table. A win on Tuesday evening would take the Cards up to sixth place, leapfrogging Eastleigh, who are not playing. In another twist, Halifax are at home to Gateshead on the same evening.

It was an excellent all-round team performance, but the central defensive partnership of Brian Saah and Joey Jones was outstanding against one of the most lethal forward lines in the league and, once again, Keiran Murtagh bestrode the midfield, making the most again of his opportunity to shine in Josh Payne’s continuing absence through suspension. Garry will have a nice selection problem on Tuesday evening now that Josh is able to return!

TORQUAY UNITED

Unlike Bristol Rovers, the Gulls haven’t shone following their relegation last season from League 2. They currently sit in 15th place with 50 points from 38 games. On their travels, they have won five games, drawn six and lost eight, scoring 24 goals and conceding 27.

The season started very promisingly with seven wins, three draws and three defeats in August’s and September’s games. But this form wasn’t maintained and wins have been hard to come by subsequently. The Gulls had a particularly bad spell beginning in mid-February, when, coupled with losses home and away to Wrexham in the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, they experienced successive home defeats at the hands of AFC Telford, Chester and, last Tuesday, Braintree Town in a 1-5 scoreline. Much to Chris Hargreaves’s relief, the tide turned on Saturday when the Gulls beat Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 at Plainmoor, with the returning Ryan Bowman netting both goals after coming on as a substitute for on-loan striker John Campbell, who suffered a hamstring injury. By all accounts, it was a fine performance from Chris Hargreaves’s side and should serve to dispel any complacency on Woking’s part.

The Gulls’ squad contains a mix of players who stayed with the club in spite of relegation, including keeper Martin Rice, defenders Aaron Downes and Krystian Pearce, last season’s ‘player of the year’, and striker Elliot Benyon plus a number of signings made last summer. The latter include big striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong; winger Louis Briscoe, part of Mansfield’s Conference-winning side; former Hereford and York striker Ryan Bowman; skilful midfielder Toby Ajala, who had a spell at Welling last season; and midfielder and captain Luke Young, surprisingly released by Plymouth Argyle.

ADMISSION

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

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The Club’s stylish matchday programme is the same price as last season (£3) but now has 64 pages, with a soft laminate cover, a high quality ‘finish’ and improved design. Tuesday’s edition includes a look at the fate of League clubs relegated or demoted to the Conference as well as all the usual match reports, previews, news of commercial and community events and superb photos. If you can’t get to the game, you can pre-order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

ONLINE COMMENTARY

If you can’t get to the game BBC Radio Surrey will be providing an online commentary at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13629210

LAST TIME OUT

Torquay United 1 Woking 0
16 September 2014

The Cards travelled to Plainmoor unbeaten in the first nine games of the season but facing an equally in-form Gulls side, which had won four consecutive home games.

Not surprisingly, it proved a close encounter, with both sides having chances to get their noses in front. But just as the game looked set to end goalless, a tired lunge presented the home side with a free-kick. At 35 yards out, it looked a tall order for the Gulls’ captain Luke Young but a superb strike beat Ross Worner to inflict a first defeat of the season on Garry Hill’s side.

Woking: Ross Worner, James Clarke (Adam Newton, 13), Mike Cestor, Joe McNerney (c), Chris Arthur, Josh Payne, Joey Jones, Keiran Murtagh (Theo Lewis, 85), Dean Morgan, Scott Rendell, Giuseppe Sole (John Goddard, 71)

Unused Subs: Andy Little, Nick Arnold

Booked: Adam Newton

Torquay United: Martin Rice, Dale Tonge, Aaron Downes, Angus Macdonald, Tom Cruise, Toby Ajala, Courtney Richards, Luke Young (c) Jordan Chapell (Courtney Cameron, 61), Tom Bowman Duane Ofori-Acheampong

Unused Subs: Jordan Seabright, Krystian Pearce, Josh Wakefield, Ashley Yeoman

Booked: Courtney Cameron, Luke Young

Goal: Young 90

Attendance: 2,144

COMING UP

The Cards travel to Chester next Saturday. The Cards Trust is running a coach to this match, which leaves Kingfield at 9.00am. The cost is £20 for Cards Trust members and £25 for non-members. Pop into the Club Shop on Tuesday night to reserve your place or phone (01483 772470) or email (shop@wokingfc.co.uk).

The Cards’ next home game is on Saturday 4 April when Welling United are the visitors. With only two more home games after that, make sure you’ve got this date firmly in your diary!

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget to book your tickets for the Club’s 125th anniversary Summer Ball on Saturday 23 May: see the news item on 20 March for more details.

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