MKJ Group

Cards hoping to break September duck

Glen Harrington
7:47am, Fri 27th Sep 2019
Woking vs Boreham Wood
MANarama National League
Saturday 28th September 2019


The Cards will look to record their first win since the end of August on Saturday when Boreham Wood will be the visitors to the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

A brave defensive performance and a fantastic individual display from goalkeeper Craig Ross was not enough against league leaders Bromley on Tuesday as Woking's 10 game unbeaten run came to an end. It was an effort to be proud of from Alan Dowson's team who were without five recognised first-team players, including top scorers Jake Hyde and Dave Tarpey, who weren't risked on the artificial surface after past problems with knee injuries. Nonetheless, it's a result which means the Cards have just four points to show from their last five games, after taking 21 from their first eight - meaning a timely return to form this weekend would be most welcome. Hyde, Tarpey and fellow striker Ibrahim Meite should be available again to boost Woking's chances, although Ben Gerring (suspended) and Tyreke Johnson (shoulder injury) remain sidelined.

Boreham Wood were play-off finalists last time Woking were in the National League but they've had a far more challenging 18 months or so since their Wembley defeat at the hands of Tranmere Rovers. Last season they finished in a disappointing 20th place, just one spot above the bottom four, although of course fourth bottom Aldershot Town were eventually spared due to Gateshead’s financial problems. They won just 12 games all season and accumulated 52 points. This season hasn’t started a great deal better despite aspirations of a return to the sort of form which saw them finish fourth in 2018. They are currently in 18th place, four points clear of the relegation spots, with 15 points to show from their first 13 games. However, with things so tight at this still early stage, it’s worth noting that they’re also just four point adrift of seventh place as well. Luke Garrard’s side certainly carry plenty of threat with a strikeforce led by former Oxford City man Kabongo Tshimanga, who scored against the Cards last season, and they currently have the most potent attack of anyone outside of the play-off places. Their tally of just 16 goals conceded is also the joint best in the bottom-half.

This promises to be a really great game so please come along if you can and help the boys get back to winning ways!

Woking Team News

You could forgive the Woking team for being unsettled on Tuesday with so many players who have been integral to the club’s great start to the season absent against the unbeaten league leaders. There will be no such excuses this weekend however and Dowse will be desperate to see his refreshed strikeforce make an impact. Both Hyde and Tarpey should be fit after not being risked at Hayes Lane, whilst Meite could also return, having missed the last three games through injury.

Further back, there is plenty of competition for places in midfield, with Shaun Donnellan, Godfrey Poku, Kane Ferdinand, Christ Tiehi, Toby Edser and Max Kretzschmar all potentially battling it out for three places. In defence, Manny Parry should start against his former club, with Nathan Collier potentially the man to drop to the substitutes’ bench.

Boreham Wood Team News

A three-match unbeaten run for the Wood came to an end on Tuesday when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Notts County. There were two former Woking players in their team for the game – Mark Ricketts and Keiran Murtagh – who will both, no doubt, receive a warm welcome back at Woking.

Their full team against County included former Bromley stopper David Gregory in goal; the back four was Ricketts, Femi Ilesanmi, who has had time with a number of non-league clubs including Dagenham, York City and Dover Athletic, Jamal Fyfield, another former York player who has also been with Wrexham and Gateshead, and Dave Stephens who spent several years with Barnet before moving to the Wood in 2015.

In midfield was Murtagh, the towering Tom Champion, who made his name at Dartford before spells with Cambridge United and Barnet, as well as veteran Guyana international Ricky Shakes who has made more than 200 league appearances for the club. Up front was Tshimanga, with eight goals to his name so far this season (interestingly scoring twice each in four fixtures), supported by Tyrone Marsh, part of Macclesfield Town’s promotion winning team in 2018, and Sorba Thomas. One man to potentially look out for from the bench is Adam McDonnell, who has Championship experience with Ipswich Town, and scored six times from midfield for our neighbours Aldershot last season.

Last Time Out

Woking 0-0 Boreham Wood – National League (25th February 2018)


A game that will sadly be remembered for Damon Lathrope’s career-ending injury, rather than for any of the football that was played, the result was of little consequence after the Woking midfielder was carried off mid-way through the second-half. Thankfully, Damon is now fully recovered, and is currently coaching at Watford. Lathrope was voted man-of-the-match on what proved to be his final career performance – a testament to the impact he made during his short time at the club.

Admission Prices

• Adults £18
• Over 65s £13
• Disabled (Including carer) £13
• Students (Under 19) £5
• U16s £5

Tickets are available on the turnstiles or in advance online. Remember, our matchday programme will also be on sale for £3. Don’t forget to grab your copy on the way in! You’ll then be able to visit the club shop for more great offers.

Next Up

The Cards are at home again in seven days’ time against currently managerless Wrexham – who sacked Bryan Hughes after Tuesday’s defeat against AFC Fylde – their fifth loss of the season so far.

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