Cards face testing replay

Concord Rangers v Woking
Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round Replay
7.45pm on Tuesday 17 October 2017

Anthony Limbrick will be hoping that his side can produce a more authoritative, incisive display on Tuesday than in yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Concord Rangers. The Cards passed the ball around neatly but lacked the high tempo or ‘devilment’ to open up a very defensively solid Beachboys’ side, who deserved to come away with a replay. Get along to Canvey Island if you can to cheer on the side to the First Round Proper, the draw for which takes place at 7pm on Monday evening on BBC 2 (ball 71).

WOKING

Anthony Limbrick nearly suffered a chastening FA Cup debut yesterday. It was hard to see where an equalising goal was going to come from against the massed ranks of a very determined and efficient Concord side, who belied their lowly position in the National League South. In the end, with only three minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Jason Banton managed to create enough space to get in a telling shot and poacher Jamie Philpot was there to finish the move off. Joe Ward might have won it but for a fantastic save from the experienced Louis Wells but, equally, the win could have been Concord’s, with the impressive Steve Cawley’s strike thundering against Nathan Baxter’s post.

The game will no doubt have given Anthony plenty to think about. Keeping possession and passing the ball around in your own half is fine, but you have got to penetrate the opposition’s defence too. It all looked a bit laborious on Saturday, especially in the first half. Anthony will not want to see the Beachboys get their noses in front again on Tuesday.

With nearly all the recently-injured players back on duty, Anthony has plenty of options to choose from in picking his starting eleven and seven substitutes.

CONCORD RANGERS

The Beachboys gave an excellent account of themselves on Saturday and very nearly pulled off a shock result. They were extremely solid defensively but also looked dangerous on the relatively infrequent occasions on which they broke forward. Captain Steve Cawley provided an object lesson in how to make the most of a few chances, scoring a well-taken goal, nearly catching out Nathan Baxter with an audacious strike from distance and then hitting the post in injury time.

There is no reason to think Woking were complacent on Saturday, but they will certainly know now what they are up against on Tuesday.

GETTING THERE

The Aspect Arena
Thames Road
Canvey Island
SS8 OHH

Official website: www.concordrangers.co.uk .

By coach

There may be some spaces on the Club coach. Keep an eye out for details.

By car

Exit the M25 at junction 30 and merge onto the A13 travelling east towards Tilbury and Basildon. Remain on the A13 until you reach Sadlers Farm roundabout (after about 13 miles). At the roundabout take the exit signposted to Canvey Island (Canvey Way, A130). At the end of the road, take the third exit at the roundabout onto Canvey Road, and at the next roundabout take the first exit and remain on Canvey Road. Continue forward as the road becomes Long Road, then turn right on to Thorney Bay Road, then right again on to Thames Road. The Aspect Arena is towards the end of the road on your left-hand side.

The AA estimates the journey time at about an hour and a half but of course you’d be wise to reckon on longer on an early evening journey round the M25.

By train

There are frequent trains from Fenchurch Street to Benfleet e.g. at 18.01 (18.43), 18.04 (18.50). 18.13 (18.53) and 18.19 (19.05). The station is about three miles from the ground. From there a taxi will cost approx. £8-£10 to get to the club. Also, First Buses operate bus services every half hour or so to Thorney Bay Road, from where it is a further 5-10 minute walk down Thames Road to get to the club.

There are trains back at 22.02 (22.41), 22.17 (22.59) and 22.24 (23.24).

ADMISSION PRICES

Admission prices are the same as at Saturday’s game i.e.

Adults £15
Concessions £10
U16s £5.

COMING UP

The Cards are away to Neil Smith’s Bromley side on Saturday (21 October). The Cards Trust is not running a coach to the game but there are spaces on the Club coach. Departure is at 11.00am from the Laithwaite Community Stadium. Ring (01483 772470) or email (shop@wokingfc.co.uk) the Club Shop to find out if any places are still available. On the following Tuesday (24 October) the Cards are away to second-placed Dover Athletic. The Cards Trust is running a coach to this match, so book your place if you want to be there. The next home league game is against Guiseley on Saturday 28 October. If Woking make it to the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, the game will be played on the weekend of 4/5 November.

Come on, you Cards!