Cards looking to end season on a high ahead of exciting play-off campaign

Woking vs Gloucester City
Vanarama National League South
Saturday 27th April 2019

The Cards play their final game of the regular National League South season on Saturday when Gloucester City will be the visitors to the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

It was a near perfect day for Alan Dowson’s side last Saturday when a 3-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet, which included a first goal for the club for defender Moussa Diarra and a confidence boosting brace for Reise Allassani against his former team, combined with Welling United’s surprise defeat to relegated East Thurrock United, both ended the Cards’ six-game winless run in the league and guaranteed a second-place finish – securing home advantage for throughout the play-offs. Woking will now face the winner of the fifth vs sixth play-off eliminator – currently slated to be either Bath City or Concord Rangers, although positions four to seven could still all move around on the final day. If we progress to the final we will then play either Welling United, or the team finishing fourth or seventh, on Sunday 12th May at Kingfield.

After a difficult season, much of which has been spent in and around the relegation zone, a run of three wins from their last four games has seen the Tigers pull clear of the bottom three and secure safety in the sixth tier of English football for another season. Things were looking bleak for them as recently as the start of April, but victories over Eastbourne Borough, Truro City and Chippenham Town have left them on 44 points – six points clear of the dreaded dotted line with one game to go. Of course, if they had have gone down, they may well have been left cursing their defeat to the Cards back in November when the Cards came from 3-1 down and scored two goals in second-half stoppage time to snatch a miraculous 4-3 victory. With next to no pressure on either side heading into this weekend’s game, it’s hard to rule out another exciting attacking game, as the hosts look to prepare for bigger things ahead and the visitors celebrate a superb escape effort.

After a fine win on Saturday the Cards could be hitting form at just the right time. Come down on Saturday if you can, cheer on the team, and help the boys get ready for the play-offs in the right way! Remember, it’s also kids go free – check the website story for full details.

Woking Team News

It will be interesting to see whether Dowse and co try and prepare a settled side for the following weekend’s play-off semi-final and continue the momentum that comes with a run of good form, or whether instead he’ll look to protect key players, and give those on the fringes a chance to shine. The likes of Nathan Collier and Ian Gayle in defence, Christian Jolley and Paul Hodges in midfield, as well as fit again Jake Hyde up front, all give the Woking manager options for change.

Gloucester City Team News

The Tigers came from 2-0 down last weekend, scoring three goals in five second-half minutes to beat Chippenham Town 3-2 and guarantee their survival. Manager Mike Cook selected Tom King in goal; a defence of Sam Avery, Spencer Hamilton and Plymouth Argyle loanee Harry Hodges; in midfield was Jake Mawford, Forest Green Rovers’ Fabien Robert, who also had two loan spells with Aldershot Town last season, Chris Knowles and Noah Smerdon; up front was Zack Kotwica, a recent arrival from Salisbury, Jake Jackson and Dejon Noel-Williams who, like Armani Little and Harvey Bradbury at Woking, is on loan from Oxford United.

Admission Prices

• Adults £15
• Over 65s £10
• Disabled (Including carer) £10
• Students (Under 19) £5
• U16s £5
• U14s FREE

Our matchday programme will be on sale for £3. Don’t forget to grab your copy on the way in! You’ll also be able to visit the club shop for more great offers.

Remember, this is voucher number 21 for season ticket holders.

Next Up

The Cards will be at home next Sunday in our play-off semi-final. Tickets are available to purchase online now or can also be picked up from the club after Saturday’s game.