Boz's Fruit & Veg

Cards take on the Daggers

Brian Caffarey
10:08am, Thu 18th Aug 2016
Woking v Dagenham and Redbridge
Vanarama National League
3pm on Saturday 20 August 2016

Garry Hill’s side face another tough test on Saturday when they take on his former club, Dagenham and Redbridge. The Daggers are looking for an immediate return to League 2, whilst the Cards are just focused on trying to get a first win under their belt. Come down to the Laithwaite Community Stadium and show your support for Garry, Steve and the players in what is bound to be a challenging season.

WOKING

It was no great surprise on Tuesday to see Forest Green Rovers dominate possession. With a budget several times larger than that at Garry Hill’s disposal, Mark Cooper has been able to put together a very talented side, who, on their day would probably be a match for most League 2 sides. Although some Woking fans were clearly, and understandably, frustrated that Woking failed to get even a point out of the game, Garry had good reason to be encouraged by some aspects of the performance. The players certainly stuck at their task well, refusing to let their heads go down after conceding in the 19th minute, and continued to chase and harry for the full 90 minutes plus. The defence was generally very solid in spite of Rovers’ pressure. There was more bite in midfield than in some recent games, although the side still perhaps lacks a ball-winning player in the Mark Ricketts mould. Jake Caprice in particular gave the Cards some attacking edge and Zac Ansah and Dennon Lewis carried a threat from time to time. Garry will hope that Delano Sam-Yorke will soon be fit to play since his muscular ability to hold the ball up has been missed.

Garry has made a plea to Woking fans to be patient in what he has made clear is going to be a testing season for the Club.

The Cards now sit in 22nd position in the table with one point from their four games.

DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE

The Daggers were relegated from League 2 last season, having been originally promoted from the Conference at the end of the 2006-07 season. During their spell in the League they had a season in League 1. Legendary non-League manager John Still, who succeeded Garry Hill in 2004, led them till 2013, before heading off to Luton Town, guiding them to promotion in his second season there. He returned to Dagenham and Redbridge in January after Wayne Burnett was sacked but was unable to prevent relegation.

In spite of their parachute payments the Daggers feel the need for more investment to be able to compete for a top five place in the National League and are weighing up various offers at present.

Still has used his Luton connections to bring in various recruits, including keeper Elliot Justham, ex-Card loanee Matt Robinson, Curtley Williams and the returning defensive duo of Scott Doe and Luke Howell, who both spent a season at Boreham Wood after leaving the Daggers. The best known returnee is Paul Benson, who originally signed for the club in 2005 and who went on to score 28 goals in the 2006-07 season, before subsequently playing for Charlton Athletic and Luton Town amongst other League clubs.

An interesting arrival in the summer was Christian Assomobalonga, brother of Nottingham Forest’s Britt, signed from Waltham Abbey, for whom he netted 31 goals in 34 appearances last season. Other summer arrivals include winger Fejiri Okenabirhie, formerly with Arsenal and Stevenage; Corey Whiteley, a striker from Enfield Town who bagged 27 goals last season; and Jordan Maguire-Drew, an 18 year-old winger signed on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Daggers have so far won three games and lost one:

Dagenham and Redbridge 3 Southport 0
Chester 3 Dagenham and Redbridge 0
Guiseley 0 Dagenham and Redbridge 2
Dagenham and Redbridge 1 Lincoln City 0

The Daggers now sit in 4th place in the table.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

COMING UP

The Cards travel to York City next Saturday, 27 August. The Cards Trust’s coach leaves the Laithwaite Community Stadium at 8.30am. Book your place by emailing shop@wokingfc.co.uk or a.barns1572@btinternet.com , phoning 01483 772470 or calling in at the Club Shop. The coach costs £35 for members, £40 for non-members and £18/£20 for accompanied U16s (maximum of two per accompanying adult).

The Cards’ next home game is on Monday 29 August when they take on Chester. Bring along family and friends for a Bank Holiday outing!

Come on, you Cards!

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