Boz's Fruit & Veg
FA Trophy (R1)
3:00pm - SaturdaySat 30th NovemberNov 2013
| Att: 1041

Hereford United
Hereford United
0 - 3

Woking
Woking

Cards hope for Trophy run

Brian Caffarey
11:08pm, Thu 28th Nov 2013
Hereford United v Woking
FA Trophy 1st Round
3pm on Saturday 30 November 2013

It’s a long time since the Cards had a decent cup run, so getting past Hereford in the Trophy on Saturday would be quite an achievement. However, the Bulls have not been in great form this season and, like Woking, are probably more focused on securing their Conference Premier status. If Garry Hill’s side can cut out the sloppy defending that undermined their cause at Cambridge last weekend, they might just fancy their chances at Edgar Street.

WOKING

The problem of conceding early goals was all too evident at the Abbey Stadium, with the Cards in effect throwing the game away in the first 15 minutes as a hesitant, error-prone defence handed the U’s a two-goal lead. It was very frustrating since thereafter the Cards looked as if they could have given their hosts a difficult afternoon, with Woking having more possession and more of the attacking play – even if a very efficient Cambridge defence rarely looked in trouble.

Mike Cestor replaced Jack Parkinson at half-time at Cambridge and might well be hoping to be in the starting eleven at Edgar Street, with Brett Johnson still not fully back in action following his hamstring injury.

Presumably, Woking’s new loan signing, the returning Keiran Murtagh, will play some part on Saturday, given that there will be no issue about his being cup-tied. If so, it will be interesting to see how he is accommodated alongside Josh Payne, who can also pick a pass from central midfield.

The winners of Saturday’s game will net £5k in prize money – not to be sneezed at by either club. The winners of the competition will receive nearly £100k in prize money from all rounds, so, while some fans might think it a distraction from the fight for league survival, the financial rewards from a good Trophy run are potentially significant.

HEREFORD UNITED

Hereford are having a difficult season, hampered by their precarious financial position. They currently lie in 17th place in the table, two places and five points above Woking, having played one game more. After a reasonably bright start to the season their form dipped in September/October, with only two wins in 12 league and cup games. But results have picked up recently and they are now unbeaten in their last four games, including a 3-0 away thumping of Southport and a 3-2 win at home over FC Halifax Town in midweek in which they twice had to come from behind to claim all three points.

Familiar names include striker Michael Rankine and midfielder Rob Purdie, although the latter has recently been out injured. They have just signed Micah Evans, a 20 year-old winger on a youth loan from Burnley.

GETTING THERE

Edgar Street Athletic Ground
Blackfriars Street
Hereford
HR4 9JU

Official website: www.herefordunited.co.uk

By coach
The Cards Trust coach leaves Kingfield at 10.30am. The cost is £17 for Trust members and £22 for non-members. To book a seat on the coach please ring (01483 772470) the Club Shop or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk

By car
Exit the M4 at junction 15, head north on the A419, keep straight on to the A417. Remain on the A417, cross under the M5 and then join the A40. At the Wilton Roundabout join the A49, signposted Hereford. At Hereford remain on the A49, at the 1st roundabout take the 2nd exit, which is the A49 north, over the River Wye. Having crossed the river, go through two sets of traffic lights, remaining in the left-hand lane and following the signs to Leominster. At the next roundabout remain in the left-hand lane and take the 1st exit again sign-posted Leominster and on the A49. The football ground is then 150 yards on your right.

By train
It’s a complicated train journey from Woking to Hereford, involving at least two changes, usually via Basingstoke and Reading. Look up www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com if you are thinking of making the journey.

ADMISSION PRICES

Reduced admission prices have been agreed for this game:

Adults: £12 (Seats) / £10 (Terrace)
Concessions: £8 (Seats / Terrace)
Children u14: £3 (Seats / Terrace)

LAST SEASON

Hereford United 2 Woking 1
4 September 2012

This result marked the Cards’ fourth successive away defeat and their fourth defeat in a row. In a tale reminiscent of so many games last season, and all too familiar this season as well, the Cards conceded an early goal, Joe McNerney being tackled in the fifth minute as he tried to clear the ball, which was then worked to Ashley Sammons, who fired it past Aaron Howe. Things got even worse just before half-time when Mike Cestor dithered in his own area, with Sam Clucas netting to make it 2-0 at the break.

Also familiar was the story of a fight-back in the second half from Garry Hill’s side but it was too little, too late. Joe McNerney caused confusion in the Hereford area, with Kevin Betsy nodding home at the far post in the 81st minute, but the Cards could not force an equaliser.

Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Mike Cestor (Adam Doyle 45), Mark Ricketts (George Frith 80), Joe McNerney, Loick Pires (Dean Sinclair 60), Jack Parkinson, Kevin Betsy, Lee Sawyer, Brett Johnson, Gavin McCallum

Unused subs: Sam Beasant, Bradley Bubb

Woking 1 Hereford United 1
30 March 2013

The Cards came back from a goal down to share the points with a play-off chasing Hereford side and in the process extend their unbeaten run to six games. In a match of few chances, Woking were unlucky to go behind just before the break when Brett Johnson deflected a throw-in past Seb Brown. The Cards hit back immediately after the break, Bradley Bubb’s cross finding Kevin Betsy for a simple tap-in. Late on in the game, Gavin McCallum struck a post.

Woking: Seb Brown, Adam Newton, John Nutter, Joe McNerney, Brett Johnson, Jack Parkinson (Mark Ricketts 80), Billy Knott, Kevin Betsy, Mike Cestor (Lee Sawyer 60), Gavin McCallum, Bradley Bubb (Jayden Stockley 64)

Unused Subs: Elvijs Putnins, George Frith

NEXT GAME

The Cards are away to FC Halifax next Saturday (7 December) in a game brought forward from 8 February. Their next home game is a re-arranged fixture against Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday 10 December. They are then due to play Chester at home the following Saturday (14 December) but this will be postponed if either Woking or Chester reach the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy.

The Youth side would welcome your support too against Crawley Town in the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday 4 December after their excellent win at Cambridge United in the last round.

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget the fans’ Christmas Party on Friday 6 December! Tickets are free and include a raffle ticket. See the news item on 20 November for more details.

Bulls overrun by first-half stampede

Ray Avards
1:22pm, Sun 1st Dec 2013
Hereford United 0 Woking 3
FA Trophy 1st Round

30th November 2013

Garry Hill rang the changes ahead of this game. Keiran Murtagh in midfield, back for his third loan spell, allowing ever-dependable Mark Ricketts to switch to right back, Mike Cestor continuing where he left off in the second half at Cambridge partnering Joe McNerney in central defence, allowing Adam Newton and Jack Parkinson to find places on the bench.

A match-up with Hereford’s 4-4-2 produced a slow start by both sides until the Cards showed their intent: Murtagh flicking on a Josh Payne free-kick and Charlie Banya shooting but both efforts were wide. The Cards then took the lead. Jack Marriott harried in midfield, dispossessed Leadbitter and ran deep into Bulls’ territory, before rewarding Banya’s supporting run out wide. His slide rule cross was easily side-footed home by Scott Rendell.

United sought to counter, striker Sam Smith shot over from the edge of the box and Sam Beasant came through a crowd of players on his six-yard line to punch away a dangerous free-kick. Bulls’ captain Josh O’Keefe was perhaps harshly booked for tripping Kevin Betsy, threatening a breakaway from halfway inside Woking’s own half. If there was a turning point for the Bulls it came now as Michael Rankine wriggled between Cards’ tight defence and midfield screen on the left-hand of the penalty area to deliver a curling right-foot cross for O'Keefe to rise, beat Beasant‘s outstretched hand and hit the crossbar, before the ball was scrambled away. He was judged offside, however: a decision which looked marginal.

Woking pressed again, Payne shooting a foot wide of Lloyd-Weston’s right-hand post. His strong play set up Banya, whose buzzing presence got him in close on goal but he was just blocked out for a corner. Another break was worked on the right between Betsy and Murtagh to free Jack Marriott inside the area on the right. His first shot was low, hard and blocked, his second arrowed into the far top corner of the net to extend the Cards' lead just after the half-hour.

Banya was away again and fed Payne for a shot. From a free-kick Payne and Betsy had efforts blocked, yet again the keeper could not hold the last effort and Rendell was on hand to slot home under Lloyd-Weston for number three. Woking didn’t rest on their laurels, Banya shooting into the top of the stanchion after Murtagh had exchanged passes on the right. Hereford sought a way back with a good Frankie Artus counter as Woking pushed up high on the right. Marriott escaped again from Cestor’s skilful defensive control and searching pass but was given offside. A Rankine header from his overlapping full back’s right-hand break and cross should have counted but his header went wide of Beasant’s post. There was also time for a free-kick after Mark Ricketts was brought down linking defence and attack and John Nutter’s left-footed drive deflected high off the defensive wall to send Lloyd-Weston scrambling back to tip round his post.

Half-time: Hereford United 0 Woking 3

Bulls’ boss Martin Foyle made changes at half-time, Damon Lathrope for Joel Edwards in the home midfield and Eric Odhiambo for Sam Smith up front. In truth the Cards' touch, movement and passing had all been too good. Despite that, Hereford were energised and pressed. Mark Ricketts hooked away from his own penalty spot and Artus shot just wide from the edge of the area. Beasant came charging out to the edge of his box to converge with O’Keefe, the referee awarding a Woking free-kick, to the ire of the home fans.

Burnley loanee Micah Evans on the Bulls’ right threatened repeatedly, helping win several free-kicks as Woking’s big lead came under pressure. The Cards stood firm in front of Sam Beasant. A sweeping break by Murtagh for Betsy almost unlocked Hereford on the counter, but he could not find Marriott. A Nutter free-kick looked to have managed it but the loan starlet was stopped in his tracks. Lathrope’s long diagonal ball over the Cards' right flank was fed into O’Keefe to ‘score’ but the offside flag was already aloft.

Garry Hill used the three-nil cushion to give a rest to recent international Josh Payne by substituting him for Jack Parkinson in a midfield role (and later Adam Newton wide right, as Banya came off and Gez Sole was introduced for hard-working two-goal Scott Rendell). Parkinson was soon in action hooking clear in his own area. Meanwhile, Mark Ricketts, down for treatment and coming back on from the touchline, to the relief of Cards fans, hooked away again right in front of goal. A Rendell/Marriott move was just stopped on the counter. Then John Nutter’s free-kick fed Marriott, who could not capitalise this time. At the other end Rankine flicked a header from a cross wide.

Marriott got away in a long run on the right and forced a corner. Artus’ cross-shot missed the target for the Bulls. Marriott twice broke again as Hereford tired, first over-running the ball out for a goal kick, next forcing the 'keeper to rush out to the corner of his area and head clear. Jack was in the thick of it again in the box on the left this time, three defenders converging on him, to slip in Sole. His daisy cutter close in, was just diverted for a corner by the 'keeper’s hand. McNerney finished a solid Woking defensive performance by intercepting a dangerous left-wing cross.

This really was an assured performance from Woking. In particular, the four loan players brought in by Garry and Steve in midfield and attack over the past few months have made a big difference. Hopefully, we will be able to hang on to them for as long as possible.

Woking: Sam Beasant, Mark Ricketts, Joe McNerney, Mike Cestor, John Nutter, Kevin Betsy, Keiran Murtagh, Josh Payne (Jack Parkinson 65), Charles Banya (Adam Newton 72), Jack Marriott, Scott Rendell (Gez Sole 78)



Unused subs: Aaron Howe, John Goddard

Hereford United: Daniel Lloyd-Weston, Dom Collins, Danny Leadbitter, Rod McDonald, Joel Edwards (Damon Lathrope 46), Micah Evans, Josh O’Keefe, Frankie Artus, Dan Walker, Sam Smith (Eric Odhiambo 46), Michael Rankine.

Unused 

subs : Rhys Evans, Chris Bush, Luke Graham

Caution: O’Keefe

Goals: Scott Rendell 10, 36 Jack Marriott 33

Attendance: 1,041


MotM: Scott Rendell - worked tirelessly to score goals that looked easy, only because he was in the right place.
Hereford United LINEUP
WOKING LINEUP
18Sam Beasant
4Mark Ricketts
3John Nutter
5Joe McNerney
3Mike Cestor
20Josh Payne ('65)
26Keiran Murtagh
11Kevin Betsy
30Charles Banya ('72)
9Scott Rendell ('78)
25Jack Marriott
BENCH
1Aaron Howe
2Adam Newton ('72)
8Jack Parkinson ('65)
22John Goddard
10Giuseppe Sole ('78)

Hereford United 0 - 3 Woking [FA Trophy] {Garry Hill Interview)

Interview with Keiran Murtagh

Nick Shaw
5:40pm, Sat 30th Nov 2013

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