Cards face final chance at redemption
Glen Harrington
12:00am, Fri 20th Apr 2018
Guiseley vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 21st April 2018
The Cards’ National League status is hanging in the balance. After falling into the relegation zone for the first time this season without kicking a ball on Tuesday evening, thanks to Barrow’s win over Guiseley, Geoff Chapple and Jason Goodliffe’s side now know that even six points from the remaining two fixtures might not be enough to seal survival.
After having our winless run extended to twelve games by defeat at home to Bromley last time out, coupled with the good form of Solihull Moors and recent wins for Barrow and Maidstone United, the Cards’ prospects of staying in the National League for a seventh consecutive season now look alarmingly bleak. We could theoretically be relegated on Saturday with a draw or a defeat if Barrow win away to play-off chasing Aldershot Town. Even a win might not be enough to take it to the last day if the Bluebirds get three points against both the Shots and in their game in hand away to Bromley next Tuesday, although both Solihull and Maidstone would also need to pick up positive results before our final day clash at home to Dover, for that scenario to come true.
It’s been a tough season for bottom of the table Guiseley who did belatedly have their relegation confirmed by their defeat at home to Barrow earlier this week. This will be a fourth game in seven days for the beleaguered Lions who also hosted Dagenham and Redbridge on Thursday night as they catch up on postponements – losing 5-3. They are managed by former Republic of Ireland international defender Sean St Ledger, who is in caretaker charge following the dismissal of Paul Cox, and is their third head coach of the season. He has not done much to turn around the club’s fortunes thus far, winning just two of his eleven games in charge, although the 1-0 successes against AFC Fylde and Hartlepool were briefly able to stave off their seemingly inevitable relegation.
We hope as many fans as possible will travel for the game. The club is running a reduced price supporters coach for the match (see below) thanks to the generosity of the players – led by Nathan Baxter and Josh Staunton – who have volunteered to subsidise the cost as a thank you to our fans.
Woking Team News
The Cards have persisted with a 4-4-2 formation in recent weeks. The back-four is likely to remain unchanged with Louis Ramsay, Nathan Ralph, Josh Staunton and Jordan Wynter providing a solid platform in front of Nathan Baxter. In midfield, we could choose to reintroduce Joey Jones, for whom it would be a 200th club appearance, or Fabio Saraiva. Otherwise, Anthony Cook and Regan Charles-Cook will continue to provide the width, with Chez Isaac and Kane Ferdinand in the middle.
It’s up front where the real question marks will be. There was no Louie Theophanous against Bromley but he could return here alongside Reece Grego-Cox. If he does, then Charlie Carter will need to either drop back into his preferred midfield position, or go down to the bench. Jonny Edwards, who scored on our last away trip at Maidenhead, will also be hoping for a start.
Guiseley Team News
The Lions have an extremely large squad to work with after a season of chopping and changing, with each new manager bringing in their own players, and the club unable to move on some of those who have fallen out of favour. They made eleven changes for the game against the Daggers on Thursday to try and help the team deal with their congested fixture list and it’s hard to predict what combination could await the Cards on Saturday.
Last time out they started with Luke Coddington, on loan from Northampton Town, in goal; a back four of Ben Frempah, a recent signing from Solihull, as well as Elliot Green, Oxford United loanee James Roberts and player-manager Sean St Ledger. In midfield was Simon Lenighan, Callum McFadzean, Alex Purver, Bradford City loanee Ellis Hudson and Alex-Ray Harvey; with former Barnsley, Cheltenham and Colchester striker Kayode Odejayi up front.
They made all three of their changes at half-time against Dagenham, bringing on defender Ashley Palmer, familiar midfielder John Rooney, brother of Wayne, and another defender, Victor Nirennold, on loan from Fleetwood Town. Their unused substitutes were goalkeeper Joe Green and midfielder Andy Haworth.
Last Time Out
Woking 2-3 Guiseley (Saturday 28 October 2017 – Vanarama National League)
The Cards fell to a third straight league defeat and a first at home since mid-August. It had all started so well for the home side who took the lead early on through Declan Appau’s outstanding strike on his first league start for the club. Rowan Liburd struck either side of half-time to put the visitors ahead but the hosts were still confident of grabbing all three points after Regan Charles-Cook has scored the equaliser. However, it was Paul Cox’s side that were to emerge the victors, as substitute Mike Fondop scored within two minutes of coming on to seal the victory.
On the Day
The Cards Trust will be running a coach to this game with a flat fee for members and non-members of £10 for adults and £5 for concessions and under-16s – a huge reduction thanks to the team! The coach will depart from the club at 8.30am on Saturday morning. For those travelling directly, the ground is located at Nethermoor Park on Station Road, postcode LS20 8BX. The nearest railway station is Guiseley which is about a five minute walk from the ground. Ticket prices for the game are £15 for adults, £10 for concession, £5 for under-18s and under-12s are free. Tickets can be brought in advance from the Guiseley website for a small additional fee.
Next Up
The Cards final game of the season is at home to Dover Athletic a week on Saturday. Whatever the situation we hope that as many fans as possible will come and cheer on the team and make the most of your final opportunity to see the boys in action until next season! Tickets as always can be bought on the day or in advance on the website.