Lovetts
FA Cup (Q4)
3:00pm - SaturdaySat 26th OctoberOct 2013
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 1452

Woking
Woking
0 - 1

Luton Town
Luton Town

Cards hope for Cup revenge

Brian Caffarey
5:57pm, Thu 24th Oct 2013
Woking v Luton Town
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
3pm on Saturday 26 October 2013

An exciting Cup tie is in prospect at Kingfield on Saturday afternoon when the Cards, keen to avenge their recent home defeat at the hands of Luton Town, take on the Hatters in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Come along and roar on Garry Hill’s side to victory!

WOKING

The Cards’ four-match unbeaten run came to an end at Wrexham last weekend when they lost 2-0, although they created more than enough chances to have at least shared the points. But that game made it a worrying three matches in a row without scoring, so to add to defensive concerns – which seemed to have abated leading up to the Wrexham game – there are clearly also problems in putting the ball in the net. On the face of it, the chances of the latter being put right on Saturday don’t look to be very bright, given that Scott Rendell won’t be eligible to play against his parent club even if the expected confirmation of the extension of his loan spell is announced. But you wouldn’t put it past Garry’s side to spring a surprise on Saturday, bearing in mind how unpredictable cup games can sometimes be. There is certainly a great incentive for the Cards to avenge the 4-0 home defeat a month ago and to earn a potentially money-spinning tilt at a League club in the next round as well as the £12,500 prize money for the winners of Saturday’s tie.

Mike Cestor has reached five yellow cards and will be suspended for this match but Josh Payne will be available again.

LUTON TOWN

John Still, appointed in late February, seems to have assembled a side that has every chance of making the play-offs and perhaps challenging the present front-runners, Cambridge United, for that much-prized automatic promotion spot. Still has brought in several former Daggers, including striker Paul Benson, on loan from Swindon Town, who scored two goals in the Hatters’ 4-3 win at Tamworth last weekend; defender Scott Griffiths; and Solomon Taiwo, a midfielder whom Dagenham sold to Cardiff for £250k. Other additions include Anthony Charles, a Conference title-winner with Barnet and Aldershot; Shaun Walley, Southport’s pacey winger; Luke Guttridge, a midfielder from Northampton with over 400 League appearances to his name; Jim Stevenson, a midfielder from Histon, who has been receiving good reviews; defender Danny Fitzsimons, another capture from Histon; Andy Parry, a highly-rated centre half from Southport; and Alex Wall, a burly striker who played against us several times for Maidenhead United.

Luton have been rapidly climbing the table, moving up to third, eight points behind Cambridge and two behind Kidderminster Harriers. Their last eight games have produced six wins and two draws, with 24 goals scored in the process.

Defender Danny Fitzsimons is unavailable and Jon Shaw and Alex Lawless are apparently doubtful.

Last season the Hatters had a terrific Cup run, knocking out Wolves and Norwich City (away) before succumbing to Millwall. Let’s hope that they’ll want to concentrate on the league this year!

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 65s and students (with valid student card) £10
U16s £3

Season-ticket holders are reminded that this is an ‘all pay’ game.

In the event of a draw, the replay will be on Tuesday 29 October at 7.45pm at Kenilworth Road.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Don’t miss out on the Club’s excellent matchday programme! In another packed edition Ian Nicholson interviews keeper Sam Beasant. Our own Cardinal Hatter, Lewis Hulatt, born and bred in Luton, recalls cup moments for both clubs. There’s a reminder too of Woking’s past glorious (and recent less glorious) Cup history. And of course there are all the usual match reports, previews, news and great photos. If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

LAST TIME OUT

Woking 0 Luton Town 4
24 September 2013

The Cards came off the back of a disappointing away defeat at Macclesfield to find themselves brushed aside by an effervescent Luton side, who, once they got their noses in front, played with great confidence.

For the first half or so the Cards were very much in the game and might well have taken the lead but for a fine save by experienced keeper Mark Tyler in a one-on-one with Gavin Williams following an error from the huge Steve McNulty. However, in the 29th minute the Woking defence was exposed again at a set piece as Mark Cullen headed home from a corner, followed five minutes later by a second goal, this time a header from Andy Parry, and then a third header, again from Cullen, made it 0-3 at the interval.

Luton continued to make most of the running in the second half but somehow failed to add to their goal tally apart from a smartly-taken goal by Andre Gray after a poor Mark Ricketts pass had given possession away in midfield.

Garry Hill was not too despondent after the game, and the Cards did indeed bounce back a few days later with a good performance in a 2-0 win over Nuneaton.

NEXT UP

The Cards have another very tough game at Kingfield the following Saturday (2 November) when play-off chasers Grimsby Town are the visitors.

Come on, you Cards!

Cards head out of the FA Cup

Andy Turner
8:13am, Sun 27th Oct 2013
Woking 0 Luton Town 1
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
26th October 2013

Woking failed to make it past the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the second consecutive season, again losing 1-0 at home to a fellow Skrill Premier club. A spirited opening by the Cards did not bring the goal that was needed and a single headed goal by Mark Cullen in the first half was enough to win it for the Hatters.

Woking started with Sam Beasant in goal, Joe McNerney and Jack Parkinson in the centre of defence with John Nutter and Adam Newton either side of them. Captain Mark Ricketts and Josh Payne were in the middle of midfield with John Goddard and Kevin Betsy out wide. Gez Sole replaced the unavailable Scott Rendell up front with Gavin Williams filling in the hole.

In a scrappy opening, neither side showed much fluidity with a number of passes going astray. Woking gained a couple of early free kicks with fouls on Williams and Betsy but they failed to trouble the Luton defence. The first incident of note was in the seventh minute when Luton’s Shaun Whalley went down in the box under a challenge from Parkinson. The referee appeared to point to the spot but in fact gave Woking the free kick and cautioned the Hatters player for simulation. Luton were starting to look more dangerous now with Whalley and Mark Cullen starting to cause the Woking defence problems. Whalley was released clear down the left but McNerney cleared the danger. Luton then gained a corner but Anthony Charles headed just wide. Woking hit back and a neat move between Nutter, Sole and Goddard saw the latter drive into the box only for his shot to be blocked. On the quarter hour, Luton’s Jake Howells was released down the left-hand channel and into the box but his shot was saved well with his legs by Beasant. After twenty-five minutes, Woking went close to opening the scoring when Williams whipped in a dangerous cross which Sole got a head to but his effort went agonisingly past the post.

Three minutes later saw arguably the defining moment of the match for Woking. Williams passed to Goddard who failed to control the ball but a challenge from a Luton player sent the loose ball conveniently into the path of Sole. He broke clear of the Luton defence but, with only the 'keeper to beat and with Kingfield holding its breath, he shot high and wide and Woking’s one real opportunity to take control of the match disappeared. This was to prove costly as a few minutes later Luton took the lead. A promising move for Woking involving Betsy and Adam Newton was broken up and Luton swiftly transferred the ball down the other end only for Jack Parkinson to clear for a corner. Luton’s Dave Martin whipped in the corner and Mark Cullen headed the ball home unopposed to give Luton the lead.

Woking hit back well. Gez Sole wriggled clear of the Luton defence only to be hauled down by Anthony Charles, who received a yellow card for the challenge. John Nutter took the free kick into the area and the 'keeper did well to hold onto the ball at the first attempt. Sole and Betsy then combined down the right, allowing the latter the space to cross in towards Goddard but the ball struck a couple of Luton defenders before rather luckily bouncing into the keeper's arms. Woking were finishing the half on top and it took an excellent full-length save from the Luton 'keeper to deny Josh Payne's superbly struck pile-driver from twenty yards.

It had been an evenly contested first period and Woking could consider themselves unlucky to be going into the break trailing.

Half-time: Woking 0 Luton Town 1

Woking started the second half kicking towards the Gosden Stand and Kevin Betsy was soon in the action when he cut into the box and brought a good save from the 'keeper down to his left. Luton swiftly counter-attacked but the move was broken up by a neat piece of skill by Josh Payne who coolly controlled the ball inside his own penalty area, looked up and sent a superb ball upfield to release Gavin Williams. He made progress into the Luton area but shot over.

On the hour, the visitors almost extended their lead. Parkinson was dispossessed by Shaun Whalley, who raced into the Woking area only for the home defender to redeem himself with an excellent challenge to block the Luton player’s cross. On sixty-seven minutes, Anthony McNamee replaced John Goddard and was soon in the action as he combined well with Sole to release Betsy down the right whose tantalising cross was cleared at the expense of a corner by the Luton defence. With time ticking away, Woking pushed for that elusive equaliser by replacing Williams with new recruit Craig Sutherland, a young forward who has been training with Glasgow Rangers. Joe McNerney was also moved up front and it was the defender turned striker who looked most likely to achieve a breakthrough in the dying minutes but his efforts on goal were blocked by the efficient Luton defence. Somewhat surprisingly, the fourth official indicated that there would be an additional six minutes of play. However, Woking rarely threatened during this added-on time and Luton held onto their one goal lead to progress to the 1st round proper of the FA Cup.

Woking had shown plenty of energy and commitment and some good, incisive play on occasions. On another day, they might well have snatched a victory but, rather worryingly, they again failed to find the net against Skrill Premier opposition. At least Scott Rendell will be available again next Saturday for the potentially tough home encounter against promotion hopefuls Grimsby Town.

Woking: Sam Beasant, Adam Newton, John Nutter, Mark Ricketts, Joe McNerney, Jack Parkinson, Josh Payne, John Goddard (Anthony McNamee 67), Giuseppe Sole (George Frith 80), Gavin Williams (Craig Sutherland 72), Kevin Betsy.

Unused subs: Aaron Howe, Will Salmon, Niall Wright, Reece Beckles

Cautions: None

Luton Town: Elliot Justham, Jonathon Smith, Steve McNulty, Anthony Charles, Jake Howells, Dave Martin (Andre Gray 72), Mark Cullen, Shaun Whalley, Matt Robinson (Andy Parry 77), Ronnie Henry, Paul Benson

Unused subs: Solomon Taiwo, Mark Tyler, Alex Wall, James Stevenson

Cautions: Anthony Charles, Shaun Whalley, Paul Benson


Attendance: 1452

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Sam Beasant - another assured display from the Woking 'keeper.
WOKING LINEUP
18Sam Beasant
2Adam Newton
3John Nutter
8Jack Parkinson
5Joe McNerney
4Mark Ricketts
20Josh Payne
22John Goddard ('66)
9Gavin Williams ('72)
11Kevin Betsy
10Giuseppe Sole ('80)
BENCH
1Aaron Howe
24Will Salmon
16George Frith ('80)
17Niall Wright
14Anthony McNamee ('66)
19Craig Sutherland ('72)
30Reece Beckles
Luton Town LINEUP

Woking 0-1 Luton Town (Garry Hill Interview)

Interview with Sam Beasant

David Holmes
7:02pm, Sat 26th Oct 2013

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