Boz's Fruit & Veg
FCP
3:00pm - ThursdayThu 26th DecemberDec 2013
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 2112

Woking
Woking
1 - 3

Salisbury City
Salisbury City

Boxing Day at Kingfield

Brian Caffarey
12:05pm, Mon 23rd Dec 2013
Woking v Salisbury City
3pm on Thursday 26 December 2013

Garry Hill’s side have been in terrific form recently, with five wins in their last six league games, including, most recently, a very impressive 2-0 victory last Saturday at Nuneaton Town. With Jack Marriott’s loan spell due to end on 2 January, this could be the last chance to see this hugely-promising young striker at Kingfield, so bring along family and friends for what should be a well-contested and exciting game on Boxing Day afternoon. Gates and bar open from 12.30pm.

WOKING

Cards’ fans’ faith that Garry Hill and Steve Thompson would turn the Club’s fortunes round after a difficult start to the season has proved fully justified as the side has gone on a great run, helped enormously by some judicious loans. The run of five league wins in the last six has included a 4-3 win at FC Halifax Town, who were hitherto undefeated at home, and a 1-0 home win over much-fancied Kidderminster Harriers. The Cards now sit nine points above the relegation places and a few more good results over the holiday period could see them pushing into the top half of the table.

Jack Marriott, with eight goals in eight games, and his in-form strike partner, Scott Rendell, have been gathering lots of plaudits, not surprisingly, but the Cards have great quality in other areas too, not least in the silky play-making skills of Josh Payne, Keiran Murtagh and Kevin Betsy in midfield.

SALISBURY CITY

The Whites, who won promotion through the Conference South play-offs last year, have had a very encouraging start to life back in the top tier of non-League football. They currently sit in 11th place with 34 points, five places and five points ahead of the Cards, with a game in hand. They had a tricky opening to the season with three successive defeats but then registered six wins and two draws in their next eight league games. Form has tailed off a bit recently and they’ve now gone four league games without a win, having lost at home to Forest Green Rovers and Cambridge, lost away to Macclesfield and, last Saturday, drawn 1-1 at home to Southport.

There are a number of familiar names in the Whites’ squad, including Ricky Wellard, formerly with AFC Wimbledon; Glenn Wilson, who had a brief loan spell at Kingfield; midfielder Rob Sinclair, formerly with Luton and Stevenage; Chris McPhee, a midfielder previously with Torquay; and keeper/goalkeeping coach James Bittner, who, however, has been on the substitutes’ bench for most games, with Will Puddy getting the vote. Dan Fitchett is the main ‘danger man’.

The Whites recently came out of administration after five years of financial problems, which led to a double demotion.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

The game will not be segregated, so Whites fans are very welcome to join us in the Cardinals Bar.

BOOST THE BUDGET

There will be a bucket collection at the game for the Cards Trust’s Boost the Budget scheme. The money raised so far this season has helped Garry bring in players of the calibre of Jack Marriott, Scott Rendell, Keiran Murtagh and Charles Banya, so please give as generously as you can and, better still, sign up for regular monthly contributions if you can afford it.

LAST TIME OUT

The Cards and the Whites last met in the season when Woking won the Conference South title. Kingfield saw a 0-0 draw in October 2011 but the Whites won the return encounter 2-0 at the Ray Mac Stadium in February 2012 after Aaron Howe had been sent off.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The 56-page matchday programme on Boxing Day includes some amusing stories from the crazy world of football and memories of Boxing Day games in past years. 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

NEXT UP

The Cards’ next home game is on Saturday 4 January 2014 when Hereford United are the visitors. Before then the side travels to Dartford on Saturday 28 December and to Salisbury City on New Year’s Day. Support the Cards home and away if you possibly can.

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget to visit the Club Shop on Boxing Day to book your seats on the coaches to Dartford and Salisbury. (Bookings after that will be taken by Rosemary Johnson on 01483 776609.)

Three and easy for visitors

Stephen Donaghey
2:41pm, Fri 27th Dec 2013
Woking 1 Salisbury City 3
The Skrill Premier
26th December 2013

There was little festive cheer at Kingfield on Boxing Day as the Cards slumped to a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Salisbury City. Gary Hill made one change from the away win at Nuneaton the previous Saturday with Brett Johnson coming in to replace Mike Cestor, who dropped to the bench.

In a tight match with few clear goal-scoring opportunities, it was the away side who first showed an attacking threat. A long ball over the top of the Cards' back four found Ricky Wellard, who stayed onside but could only slice over. Moments later Clovis Kamjdo, running down the left cut inside onto his right foot and forced Sam Beasant into a good save.

It was Beasant who then turned from goal-stopper to goal-provider as his goal-kick found Scott Rendell, whose flick on expertly found the path of player of the month Jack Marriott, who brought the ball down under control using his head and slid it under the on-rushing 'keeper to put the Cards a goal up on 14 minutes.

The lead lasted just 3 minutes after good work by the lively Kamdjo eventually saw him centre for Chris McPhee who slid inside the six-yard box to equalise.


Midway through the first half, Salisbury found themselves in front after some poor defending by the Cards. A hopeful high ball into the box was not dealt with by Beasant who was unable to get clear contact on his punch. The ball fell to opening goalscorer McPhee who showed good composure to calmly lay the ball to Wellard who took a couple of touches before firing into the top corner despite desperate dives from the Woking defenders.


Woking searched for the equaliser but failed to carve out any clear-cut openings - which would become the story of the day for Gary Hill’s men. On 32 minutes, Kevin Betsy found Josh Payne whose powerful drive could only find the back of the Kingfield Road End. 3 minutes before half-time, good link-up play once again between the front two saw Rendell square a low ball to Marriott whose drilled effort was saved by the 'keeper to his right to end a disappointing opening 45 minutes for the Cards.

Half-time: Woking 1 Salisbury City 2

The Cards were sent out early for the second half but it was Salisbury who started the stronger and almost extended their lead. A deep free-kick was met by Glenn Wilson whose cushioned header found Theo Lewis who headed onto the bar from inside the 6 yard box and kept Woking in the contest.


Salisbury continued to press for the goal to give themselves some daylight on a chilly afternoon at Kingfield. They may well have got it on the hour mark had not Beasant’s left- hand post denied Angus MacDonald from a corner. Minutes later, goalscorer Wellard found himself in space once more but could only flash his shot wide.

The Cards responded with a cross from the right as Payne picked out Rendell but he could only direct his header harmlessly into the 'keeper's arms.


With just under 15 minutes remaining, the away side had another opportunity to kill the game with a darting run by Wellard which was kept out by Beasant and cleared to safety from inside the six-yard box.


Woking rallied late on and had their best period of the match in the last 10 minutes. Betsy met John Goddard’s corner but could only head wide and moments later Giuseppe Sole saw his free kick clear the bar. The Cards continued to struggle to create a clear-cut opportunity to find the equaliser and this was summed up as substitute Mike Cestor’s cross-cum-shot provided the closet chance for the home side to snatch a draw as the ball went agonisingly wide of the far post.


The visitors scored their third and took all three points in the 94th minute when substitute Harvey latched onto an inviting pass from Kamdjo to beat Beasant at his near post with a fierce strike.  


The result leaves the Cards sitting in 16th place, the hectic schedule over the festive period giving them the opportunity to respond to the setback in 48 hours time away at Dartford on Saturday.


Woking: Sam Beasant, Mark Ricketts, Joe McNerney, Brett Johnson (Mike Cestor 65), John Nutter (Giuseppe Sole 65), Kevin Betsy, Kieran Murtagh, Josh Payne, Charles Banya (John Goddard 69) , Jack Marriott, Scott Rendell


Unused subs: Andy Little, Adam Newton


Goal: Jack Marriott 14

Cautions: Kieran Murtagh 35, Scott Rendell 90

Salisbury City: Will Puddy, Callum Hart (Tyler Harvey 45), Ryan Brett, James Clarke, Glenn WIlson, Chris McPhee, Ricky Wellard, Theo Lewis, Clovis Kamdjo, Stuart Sinclair, Angus MacDonald (Warren Feeney 78)


Unused subs: James Bittner, Jamie White, Ben Wright

Goals: Chris McPhee 17, Ricky Wellard 26, Tyler Harvey 90


Caution: Angus MacDonald 67

Attendance: 2,112


Sponsor's MOTM: Joe McNerney,
WOKING LINEUP
18Sam Beasant
4Mark Ricketts
3John Nutter ('65)
5Joe McNerney
6Brett Johnson ('65)
20Josh Payne
26Keiran Murtagh
11Kevin Betsy
30Charles Banya ('69)
21Scott Rendell
25Jack Marriott
BENCH
Andy Little
2Adam Newton
15Mike Cestor ('65)
22John Goddard ('69)
10Giuseppe Sole ('65)
Salisbury City LINEUP

Woking 1-3 Salisbury City (Garry Hill Interview)

Interview with Joe McNerney

David Holmes
6:24pm, Thu 26th Dec 2013

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