LCS Events

Cards prepare for big Cup test

Brian Caffarey
8:30am, Thu 30th Nov 2017
Woking v Peterborough United
Emirates FA Cup 2nd Round
2pm on Sunday 3 December 2017

Make sure that you’re at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon for this mouthwatering Emirates FA Cup tie against the Posh, who, of course, include former Kingfield favourite, Jack Marriott, in their squad. Let’s hope that the Cards can repeat the vibrant display which saw them despatch Bury 3-0 in the replay at Gigg Lane in the previous round. But Peterborough will be a much tougher nut to crack than the Shakers, with a side full of talented players, several of whom were non-League stars. Don’t forget it’s a 2pm kick-off and that you are advised to arrive early.

WOKING

Jack Marriott isn’t the only connection between the clubs, with Michael Doughty, who had a loan spell from QPR, also a regular starter for the Posh, while Woking’s Kane Ferdinand and Nathan Ralph both spent some time at London Road, the former commanding a £200k fee on his move from Southend. Both, as it happens, have been showing the kind of form this season that would have attracted talent-spotters.

The Cards have had to fight hard to reach the Second Round. It took two goes to see off Concord Rangers in the 4th Qualifying Round, with Woking only going through with a goal in extra time in a replay, while the surprisingly emphatic scoreline at Bury was preceded by a 1-1 draw at home, with the Cards surging back after conceding in 43 seconds.

The Cards go into this game on the back of a limp display at Boreham Wood last Saturday, when a number of players were well below par, but Woking’s home record is impressive, with seven wins, two draws and only two defeats in the league.

Louis Ramsay should be back in contention following his return to action as a substitute at Boreham Wood, while Regan Charles-Cook has served a one-match suspension. The latter’s energy and attacking instincts were missed on Saturday. However, Richard Orlu’s booking for dissent means that he will be suspended.

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Ever since Barry Fry’s days in charge – he’s still Director of Football at the club – Peterborough have sought out the best players from the non-League world and have grabbed some bargains in the process. Recent acquisitions such as Jack Marriott, Ricky Miller, Marcus Maddison and David Lloyd follow a path trodden by the likes of Aaron McLean and George Boyd.

Jonathan Bond, a former England U21 keeper on a six-month loan from Reading, has made the most starts in goal, but Conor O’Malley has been in situ in some recent games. The defence is likely to be picked from: Andrew Hughes, a left-back recruited from Newport County in summer 2016; Ryan Tafazolli, signed at the same time from Mansfield Town and originally at Southampton’s Academy; club captain Jack Baldwin, signed from Hartlepool in January 2014 from Hartlepool United, who lifted him from my home-town club, Faversham Town, after he had made only seven appearances for the Whites; Steven Taylor, the former Newcastle United stalwart; and Alex Penny, brought in from Nuneaton Town.

The Posh have some very talented midfielders to call on, including: Gwion Williams, a winger recruited from Crawley in summer 2016 but who was originally with Swansea City, and who is regarded by many as the club’s standout performer last year; Chris Forrester, a deep-lying midfielder brought in from Irish club, St Patrick’s Athletic, two years ago; Danny Lloyd, who will be celebrating his 26th birthday on 3 December (not too happily, we hope!), and who was a star performer for Stockport County last season and enjoyed notching a hat-trick in Posh’s Cup replay against Tranmere Rovers; Marcus Maddison, a richly-gifted performer who was signed from Gateshead in 2014 for £250k and has already notched 100 appearances and 25 goals and many more ‘assists’ for the Posh; Michael Doughty, another player who has worn the Cardinal red and white on loan in 2011 from QPR, whom he left in the summer after being on loan at Swindon Town; Jermaine Anderson, a talented ex-Arsenal youngster; Leonardo Da Silva Lopes, another hugely talented player, discovered playing locally, and who made his debut at 16 and, now at 19, has already amassed over 50 first team appearances; Anthony Grant, an experienced operator for many clubs, who joined the Posh a couple of years ago from Port Vale; and Callum Chettle, another recruit from Nuneaton Town and son of Steve Chettle.

Up front, Jake Marriott needs no introduction for Cards fans after his three loan spells at Kingfield from Ipswich Town. His time in Surrey undoubtedly helped him to make the progress which saw him enjoy a successful couple of seasons with Luton Town, with Posh paying an undisclosed fee for his services in the summer. That fee has proved well worth it, with Jack having notched 14 goals already this season. Jack’s strike partners include Ricky Miller, the Conference’s top scorer last season with Dover; Junior Morias, signed from St Albans City in January 2017 and formerly a Wycombe Wanderers trainee; and Idris Kanu, another very talented player, still just short of his 18th birthday, who starred for Aldershot Town last season, having joined from West Ham and becoming the Shots’ youngest-ever debutant.

Peterborough sit in 7th place in League 1. Last Saturday they lost 2-0 away at Rochdale. On Tuesday evening they drew 2-2 at Charlton Athletic, conceding two very late goals. Manager Grant McCann was left fuming over penalty decisions but was fulsome in his praise of his team’s performance, especially with the pace of their counter-attacks.

In the 1st Round of the Emirates FA Cup they drew 1-1 at home to Tranmere Rovers before trouncing them 5-0 in the replay, helped by some calamitous defending by Rovers, who also had a man sent off.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 60s £10
Students U19 £10
U16s £5

Tickets can be bought from the Club in advance at the following times:

Thursday 11am - 3.30pm (Club Shop)
Thursday 4pm - 8pm (Cards Trust Office)
Friday 11am - 4pm (Club Shop)

The game will be segregated with Peterborough allocated the open Chris Lane Terrace (standing) and part of the seated, covered, Leslie Gosden Stand.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Don’t forget to grab a copy of ‘Cardinals’. Only £3 for interviews, previews, match reports, Academy updates and great photos. The programme will contain a voucher which will afford some priority if the Cards progress to the Third Round.

COMING UP

The Cards make the long trip up to Gateshead next Saturday (9 December). (The Cards Trust will run a coach if there are enough ‘takers’.) Before then they take on Chipstead at home on Wednesday evening (6 December, 7.45pm) in the Surrey Senior Cup. Woking will be at home to Maidenhead United in the FA Trophy on Saturday 16 December.

Come on, you Cards!


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