Specsavers

Cards face another tough test

Brian Caffarey
9:57pm, Sun 14th Aug 2016
Woking v Forest Green Rovers
Vanarama National League
7.45pm on Tuesday 16 August 2016

The Cards take on last year’s beaten play-off finalists, Forest Green Rovers, on Tuesday evening in what will no doubt be another testing encounter for Garry Hill’s new-look side, who have only a point to show from their three games so far. Come down to the Laithwaite Community Stadium to give them your support!

WOKING

The Cards followed up their 3-1 opening day defeat at home against a strong Lincoln City side with a 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Solihull Moors, failing to hold onto a two-goal lead. On Saturday at Southport they again took the lead, through Dennon Lewis, but quickly conceded a penalty and then were undone by a late strike from Port’s Louis Almond.

Ismail Yakubu and Delano Sam-Yorke were both missing from the squad, but late signing Anthony Edgar came on as a substitute.

The Cards now face two very tough home games against fancied sides, Forest Green Rovers and Dagenham and Redbridge. Unless some points can be gathered from those games, Cards fans will fear that the season could turn into a difficult struggle to get away from the bottom four places.

FOREST GREEN ROVERS

Rovers, beaten 3-1 by Grimsby Town in last year’s play-off final, are widely expected to be strong challengers again this season, under new manager Mark Cooper. With their financial backing from Ecotricity owner, Dale Vince, Rovers have been able to reinforce their already large and impressive squad. Their ‘marquee’ signing this summer was that of Matt Tubbs, who made his name as a top non-League striker with Salisbury before moving to Crawley, Bournemouth and Portsmouth. Other arrivals include the returning Sam Russell in goal; another keeper, Jonny Maxted; Ethan Pinnock, a central defender from Dulwich Hamlet; Jon Moran, a young central defender from Nantwich Town and formerly the Crewe Alexandra U18 captain; Harry Hickford, a defender/midfielder from MK Dons; Liam Noble, an attacking midfielder from Notts County; Drissa Traore, a midfielder from Cooper’s former club, Swindon Town; Fabien Robert, an attacking midfielder, also from Swindon ; Mohamed Chenial, a French wing back signed from Le Havre; and strikers Christian Doidge from Dagenham and Redbridge and Rhys Murphy from Oldham Athletic.

Among players retained from last season are new captain Aaran Racine, Elliot Frear, Darren Carter, Sam Wedgbury, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Charlie Clough, Rob Sinclair, Dale Bennett and Marcus Kelly. A notable departure was that of fearsome striker Jon Parkin, alongside former Woking keeper Lenny Pidgeley and, of course, Delano Sam-Yorke.

Rovers’ start to the season has been mixed, losing away 1-0 to Boreham Wood to a goal scored by ex-Card Bruno Andrade before drawing 1-1 at home to Sutton United, with Matt Tubbs getting off the mark. On Saturday they secured a fortunate late winner at home to Gateshead, who had won their two previous games by three-goal margins.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £18
Over 65/Students with valid student card £13
U16s £5

COMING UP

The Cards’ next game is this coming Saturday, 20 August (kick off 3pm), when they take on Garry Hill’s former club, Dagenham and Redbridge. Make sure the date is in your diary!

Come on, you Cards!

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