12:01pm, Tue 26th Nov 2019
League sponsors Vanarama sit down with the Cards' striker ahead of tonight’s visit of Bromley.
Dave Tarpey is dreaming. A return to form does that to a person.
As the Cards fans stretched their vocal chords in front of the cameras after the full-time whistle blew at Maidenhead, it seemed like a milestone moment.
Back in the play-offs for the first time since that rotten September/October run, despite the rain and the cold, the nicer November outlook is already more settled.
With seven points from a possible nine Tarpey isn’t getting carried away. Especially with joint leaders Bromley in town tonight.
He sees it as a chance to set the record straight at home - and keep the good vibe going.
“It’s great to be back in the top seven, that was our aim going into last weekend,� the forward said. "Now we're back in good form we want to play all the time!
“All things considered, you have got to be happy with where the club is at the moment.
“I think sometimes people forget we are part-time and that's actually a compliment. We have jobs and it’s becoming more and more difficult to compete as a part-time team as everyone knows.
“The vast majority of clubs in this league are full-time. It’s now pretty much a professional league now. It’s essentially League Three.
“It’s great that we’re up there. If we could become the first part-time team to win promotion to the Football League in many, many years it would be an incredible achievement.
“But we can’t think too far ahead. We have just got to keep the wins coming and stay in and around the promotion places and see where we are further down the line.�
Tarpey says he is more than happy to sacrifice goals if it means glory for Woking.
Playing wide of a three lately seems to be suiting the former Maidenhead United striker down to the ground.
With the big game against Bromley now hours away, he says it is bringing the best out of him.
“Actually when I first started at Maidenhead under Drax (Johnson Hippolyte) that is where I played. He suddenly went 4-4-2 and I started scoring goals and that’s where I played ever since in a two.
“But I love playing wide of a three. Dowse is about getting it wide and doing it fast. I think we look the part when we’ve gone with that formation. I see more of the ball and for any forward player that’s a big thing.
“I feel the best I have done for a long, long time. I’m more than happy to not get as many goals and play this way - saying that, five so far isn’t bad. I’m not unhappy with it.
“I used to go into games worrying after my injury but now I can’t wait for the matches to come around. I’ve had no niggles this season really and I’m feeling fresh.
“Now it’s about keeping the good feeling going for as long as possible. If we can beat Bromley and get a home win on the board then fantastic.
“We haven’t had one for a while so hopefully Tuesday is the night for it.�
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