Vital game for Cards on Tuesday
Brian Caffarey
8:16pm, Sun 19th Jan 2014
Woking v Chester
7.45pm on Tuesday 21 January 2014
Assuming the Kingfield pitch has recovered sufficiently, the Cards take on Chester on Tuesday evening in a very important game for both clubs. The visitors, in the relegation places, won at the weekend, no doubt buoyed by the appointment of Steve Burr as their new manager. The Cards, seven points clear, will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing showing at Welling United. Come down and cheer on Garry Hill’s side!
WOKING
Garry expressed his frustration after Saturday’s game at the contrast in performance, by the same starting eleven, between the fine win over Braintree Town the previous weekend and Saturday’s weak display at Park View Road. A contributory factor was no doubt that Welling, unlike Braintree surprisingly, did not allow the Cards to settle on the ball and gradually got hold of the midfield, almost completely nullifying any support for Gez Sole up front.
Woking will of course be without Keiran Murtagh on Tuesday as a result of his dismissal for two, wholly avoidable, yellow cards. Garry will be expecting the same sort of ‘reaction’ to Saturday’s defeat as Welling showed following their loss to Hyde.
The Cards, in 18th place, are seven points above Chester and will be very keen to ensure that that gap doesn’t narrow as a result of Tuesday’s game.
CHESTER
Following the winding-up of the former Chester City FC in March 2010 a ‘phoenix’ club was formed, which has enjoyed phenomenal success, winning three successive promotions to start life this season in the Conference Premier. The club, managed throughout their ascent by Neil Young, amassed a record 107 points last season to lift the Conference North title.
Expectations were high for the present season, with over 1,000 season tickets sold, but the Blues have endured a difficult campaign so far, leading to Neil Young’s departure. The Blues have been very fortunate, however, to obtain the services of the hugely-experienced Steve Burr, who recently left Kidderminster Harriers. On Saturday, his first game in charge, Chester registered their fifth win of the season, beating Barnet 2-1 at home, taking them to 21st place in the table.
It’s surprising that the Blues have struggled since their squad contains some very experienced and capable players, including keeper John Danby, who was with Kidderminster Harriers for five seasons; Gareth Seddon, who was a Conference winner with Fleetwood Town and played for FC Halifax Town last season; striker Jamie Reed, a Conference play-off winner, this time with York City; midfielder Danny Harrison, with some 300 League appearances for Tranmere and Rotherham; and Jason Jarrett, another midfielder, with plenty of experience with Preston and Wigan. Wayne Rooney’s brother, John, is a recent addition.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults £15
Over 65s and students (with valid student card) £10
U16s £3
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
Tuesday’s 56-page matchday programme includes an interview with Jack Marriott, who talks about his loan spell at Woking. Talking of loans, do you understand the difference between short-term, long-term, emergency and youth etc loans? No? Well, Damian Buxton attempts to unravel the mysteries of the Conference loan regulations. For the historically-minded, Richard Mason recalls a past Woking game which was described as ‘worthy of Wembley’. There’s an opposing view too from a Chester fan, Ashley Field, who just happens to be an Olympic silver medallist! 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
Chester 0 Woking 2
17 August 2013
The Cards registered their first win of the season despite playing the whole of the second half with only ten men following Josh Payne’s dismissal just before half-time for an alleged head-butt.
Mark Ricketts and Freddie Ladapo replaced Joe McNerney and Gavin McCallum in the side which had lost in midweek to Braintree Town. A fairly even first half became feisty towards the interval, leading to Payne’s dismissal. It looked as though the home side would take advantage as Seddon hit the post shortly after the break but ten-man Woking took the lead in the 58th minute through a fine strike by Gavin Williams, cutting in from the left flank.
Joe McNerney, on for Ladapo, made it 2-0 five minutes later with a header from a John Nutter free-kick.
Chester hit the woodwork again but rarely threatened to thwart Woking’s first win of the campaign.
Chester: John Danby, Lewis Turner, Joe Heath, George Horan (Jamie Reed 65), Paul Linwood, Danny Harrison, Nathan Turner, Jason Jarett (Craig Mahon 53), Gareth Seddon, Kevin McIntyre, Craig Lindfield (Alex Titchiner 60)
Unused subs: Ashley Williams, Lee Pugh
Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, John Nutter, Mark Ricketts, Brett Johnson, Lee Sawyer (George Frith 90), Jack Parkinson, Gavin Williams (Gavin McCallum 78), Kevin Betsy, Josh Payne, Freddie Ladapo (Joe McNerney 53)
Unused subs: Sam Beasant, Anthony McNamee
Cautions: Mark Ricketts (24), Lee Sawyer (37)
Sent-off: Josh Payne (43)
Goals: Gavin Williams (58), Joe McNerney (63)
NEXT UP
The Cards travel to Lincoln City next Saturday (25 January). Their next home league game is on Saturday 1 February when they take on Forest Green Rovers. Before then, though, they host Leatherhead in the Quarter-Final of the Surrey Senior Cup on Monday 27 January.
Come on, you Cards!