Seymours

Cards preparing for crucial match-up with Maidenhead

Glen Harrington
8:07pm, Wed 26th Feb 2020
Woking vs Maidenhead United
Vanarama National League
Saturday 29th February 2020


The Cards face a potentially season-defining game on Saturday as they take on Maidenhead United at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

It’s a match where the result will almost certainly define the remaining ten games of Woking’s season. A win at home this weekend could see the Cards, currently just two points behind seventh place Notts County, move back to within touching distance of the play-off places. Three points for Alan Dowson’s side this weekend, on a ground where they’ve lost just once in the league since October, would certainly give the team that extra boost in confidence to hit the ground running down the final stretch.

Defeat could spell a much gloomier tale however, as the congested bottom-half of the table – from the Cards in 13th to Chesterfield in the first of the four relegation spots – is currently separated by just nine points, whilst a four-game range in the number of completed fixtures across the league brings with it another element of intrigue. The Cards have, encouragingly, already surpassed their points tally from two years ago when they were relegated on the final day of the season, thanks to last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Stockport County, but the most nervous supporters will have at least one eye over their shoulders in the knowledge that the threshold for survival could be significantly higher this time around, albeit with the continuing uncertainty over Bury’s future meaning that a reprieve for at least one team is highly likely. Either way, there is still certainly plenty to play for.

Unlike the Cards, Maidenhead already find themselves truly mired in the regelation dogfight, not helped by Tuesday evening’s 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Ebbsfleet United. The result leaves them stranded on 41 points, just one more than Chesterfield who have won their last two, whilst the loss was also their 18th in the league this season – the most of any team in the National League. Alan Devonshire’s side have now suffered back-to-back defeats to potential relegation rivals in the space of just four days, having also lost 2-1 at home to Aldershot Town on Saturday. They are by no means going down without a fight however, having picked up valuable wins at Solihull and at home to Eastleigh in recent weeks, as well as holding Notts County to a 0-0 draw on New Year’s Day.

The Cards have been in fine form at home this season so please come along again if you can and show your support to the team.

Woking Team News

Dowse has named an unchanged team for the last two games – the draws with Notts County and Stockport – and will feel unlucky to not have taken more from two good performances. It wouldn’t be surprising to see a similar or, indeed, unchanged side named for this one – particularly after striker Alex Wall got off the mark with his first goal for the club last time out. Much could depend on the fitness of fellow striker Jake Hyde, like Wall and teammate Dave Tarpey a former Maidenhead player, who’s been out of action since the loss at Eastleigh at the start of the month.

Maidenhead United Team News

Against Ebbsfleet, the Magpies started with Taye Ashby-Hammond, on loan from Fulham, in goal. The defence was made up of Remy Clerima, who has chipped in with five goals already this season, Ryheem Sheckleford, a graduate of the Fulham academy system, another Fulham loanee in Jaydn Mundle-Smith, who scored against the Fleet, and the experienced Alan Massey, who has been with the club since joining from Braintree Town in 2015.

In midfield was Josh Smile, part of the Chippenham Town side last season, the club’s longest-serving player Ryan Upward, who joined from Burnham in 2014, and Montserrat and England C international James Comley, who is also known for his time at St Albans City. The front three included former Aldershot Town dangerman Shamir Fenelon, former academy player Josh Kelly, plus the imposing Danny Whitehall, who has 13 goals so far this season.

One former Woking connection is defender Rene Steer, on the bench last time out, who had a short spell with the Cards back in 2013.

Last Time Out

Maidenhead United 2-3 Woking – National League (23rd November 2019)


The two teams put on a great spectacle for the BT Sport cameras last time they met. Woking appeared to be in cruise control at half-time as they went into the break with a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Moussa Diarra and Jamar Loza. Danny Whitehall pulled one back on the hour-mark, only for Jake Hyde to seemingly make the game safe as he bundled in a third with 15 minutes remaining. There was still time for Whitehall to net his second to set up a nervy finale for the visitors, but the Cards hung on for what remains their last away win in any competition this season.

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 next game is away to FC Halifax Town in a week’s time. That’s quickly followed by our next home match which comes against Barnet on the following Tuesday evening.

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