Specsavers

Cards seeking quick return to form

Glen Harrington
12:00am, Sun 18th Feb 2018
Ebbsfleet United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 20th February 2018


The Cards have the opportunity to quickly make amends for their disappointing defeat at Hartlepool on Saturday as they return to action at Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday evening.

Anthony Limbrick’s side gave themselves a mountain to climb at Victoria Park after defensive errors allowed the Pools to race into a 3-0 half-time lead. However, the Woking management team will be encouraged by the way their team didn’t let their heads drop and instead fought back bravely in the second-half, with Reece Grego-Cox and Jonny Edwards netting late goals to bring a degree of respectability to the scoreline. Indeed, it might have been even better for the visitors had they not left their comeback so late, and no doubt the team will be keen to prove that their early errors were just a blip in their recent upturn in form.

The Fleet, still with play-off aspirations after a solid first season back in non-league’s top division, were forced to come from behind as well on Saturday and went into the break trailing Halifax Town; but goals from new-signing Corey Whitley and Luke Coulson proved enough for Daryl McMahon’s side and sent them back to Kent with all three points. It has been an otherwise mixed start to the New Year for Ebbsfleet – who have been beaten by Tranmere, Boreham Wood, Chester, Bromley, and Northern Premier League side Warrington Town in the FA Trophy – but now sit just three points adrift of the top seven after back-to-back wins.

With plenty still on the line for both sides it should be an entertaining game at Stonebridge Road. We hope that all of our fans travelling to the game have an enjoyable evening and a safe trip.

Woking Team News

With Louis Ramsay, Jordan Wynter and Bobson Bawling all still sidelined for Tuesday’s game there are unlikely to be widespread changes to the Woking team. The Cards were boosted ahead of their game with Hartlepool with the news that Matt Young had won his appeal against suspension and the full-back will likely continue in defence alongside Josh Staunton, Richard Orlu and Nathan Ralph.

There are options for Anthony Limbrick in midfield with Chez Isaac and Joey Jones pushing for a recall; particularly after the trio of Damon Lathrope, Kane Ferdinand and Charlie Carter started the last two games and now may be in need of a break. Both Isaac and Jones came on from the substitutes’ bench against Hartlepool and helped inspire the late comeback which might be enough to earn at least one of them a start here.

Jonny Edwards, who scrambled in Woking’s late second against the Pools, will surely be hoping to be rewarded with his first start since the trip to Gateshead last month. Anthony Cook will definitely be missing out, as he’ll be ineligible against his parent club, meaning that Reece Grego-Cox and Jason Banton’s places will likely be safe. However, the Cards may also consider a start for Fabio Saraiva, who will provide more natural width than Edwards, and could inspire a slight change in formation.

Ebbsfleet Team News

Our hosts have a very strong squad, aided by their financial firepower, and will provide plenty of threat to the Cards on Tuesday evening.

Last time out they lined up with regular goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore; a back-four of former Dover full-back Sam Magri, the experienced Lawrie Wilson, who spent five years with Stevenage and has also played for Charlton and Bolton amongst others, and the veteran centre-back pairing of Dave Winfield and Kenny Clark; the long-serving Dean Rance partnered Jack Payne, who was promoted from League 2 with Blackpool last season, in midfield; they were joined by an attacking trio of Myles Weston, Andy Drury and Luke Coulson, who impressed for Eastleigh last season, and star striker Danny Kedwell who often proves to be the Fleet’s danger-man up front.

There are plenty of options for McMahon should he wish to freshen up his side. Whitley, who joined from Dagenham and Redbridge shortly before their last game, could start after coming off the bench to score against Halifax. Other players that Ebbsfleet could bring in include former Woking defender Chris Bush, midfielder Jack Powell who has played in the Championship with Millwall, and winger Sean Shields who like Whitley joined the club from Dagenham.

What the Boss Said

Anthony Limbrick on the upcoming game…

“‘We were disappointed with the result and the way we defended as a team making mistakes which cost goals against Hartlepool. Ebbsfleet are a team who are having a real go at the play-offs and it will be one of our toughest away games as they have decent attacking players and will be favourites to win the game.�

Last Time Out

Woking 1-0 Ebbsfleet United (Tuesday 21 November 2017 – Vanarama National League)

After a run of five league games without a win the Cards scored an important victory at the Laithwaite Community Stadium. Inih Effiong scored the only goal on the 30 minute mark and although the home side were forced to hold on at times in the second-half they successfully saw the game out thanks to a man-of-the-match performance from Kane Ferdinand and a superb goalkeeping display from academy prospect Sam Mason.

On the Day

The Cards Trust will not be running a coach to this game. For those travelling directly, the ground is located on Stonebridge Road, postcode DA11 9BA. The nearest railway station is Northfleet which is very close to the ground. Full travel details can be found on the Ebbsfleet website. Ticket prices for the game are £14 for adults, £11 for concessions, £6 for juniors (aged 12-16), and Under 12s are free. All tickets are pay on the gate.

Next Up

The Cards next game is at home on Saturday afternoon when we take on high-flying Boreham Wood, who sit sixth at the time of writing. Their squad includes a host of former Woking players, including Mark Ricketts, Keiran Murtagh, Bruno Andrade, as well as former loanees Joe Quigley and Shaun Jeffers, so make sure to come along for what should be a great game!

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