WOKING v RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS
7.45pm on Tuesday 9 December 2008
Phil Gilchrist?s side will be very anxious to grab three points from this fixture. The team has been garnering single points in league games ? and came within a whisker of doing the same at Histon on Saturday ? but could really do with a few three point hauls to pull themselves away from the relegation zone. The Diamonds were one of the pre-season favourites, with some big names in their side. After a poor start they?ve hit better form recently in spite of (or because of?) putting a whole raft of players on the transfer list. Come on down and cheer on the Cards in a crucial game.
WOKING
The Cards will be missing Tom Hutchinson, Goma Lambu, Ross Worner and Delano Sam-Yorke through injury. Woking fans can expect to see a home debut for the Cards? new on-loan striker, Tom Denton, whose 6?6? frame certainly came in useful in countering Histon?s aerial bombardment on Saturday. He marked his debut too at Salisbury a week ago with a well-taken goal. Although only 19, he?s not a beanpole and looks as though he can cope with the rough and tumble of the BSP. Histon was a good introduction! Joe Magunda had to be substituted at the very end of the Histon match and may be injured. Keeper Simon Eastwood has yet to make his debut.
If Phil thinks he needs more experience and guile in midfield, he may be tempted to find a place in the starting line-up for Paolo Vernazza.
RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS
With names like Daryl Clare, Lee Phillips, Andy Burgess and Curtis Woodhouse in their squad, and the experienced Garry Hill at the helm, the Diamonds looked a good bet for a play-off place. But they started poorly and now have some ground to make up. However, their recent form has been considerably improved, with a 2-0 win against Eastbourne Borough, followed by a 4-0 away thumping of Altrincham and a (slightly less impressive) 1-1 draw at home to Barrow on Saturday.
Garry Hill put eight players on the transfer list a short while ago but most are still in the reckoning, including Woodhouse, who wants to concentrate on his boxing career early in the New Year and give up football entirely. Ex-Card Curtis Osano is also in the Diamonds? squad.
Two new arrivals are Leo Roget, returning to Nene Park from Braintree Town, and Simon Brown, a midfielder on loan from Wrexham. Yannick Bolassie also came on loan from Plymouth Argyle. His father was an international player for the Democratic Republic of Congo and he is a cousin of the former Newcastle striker LuaLua.
Justin Edinburgh, temporarily in charge at Kingfield after Frank Gray?s departure, was recently appointed as the Diamonds? Assistant Manager.
RECENT ENCOUNTERS
06-07: Woking 3-0 Rushden & Diamonds
(McAllister (2), Sole)
Rushden & Diamonds 2-0 Woking
07-08: Woking 1-1 Rushden & Diamonds
(Morgan)
Rushden & Diamonds 2-1 Woking
(Pattison)
LAST SEASON
Woking 1-1 Rushden & Diamonds
11 August 2007
Frank Gray?s new look, young Woking side lined up on the opening day of the season against a fancied Rushden outfit. After a nervy first half, the game was lit up by a wonderful solo goal from Marvin Morgan, taking the ball from his own half to leave several defenders standing before slotting home calmly. However, the Cards? inexperience showed with an instant leveller from Curtis Woodhouse.
Rushden & Diamonds 2-1 Woking
1 March 2008
In what was an end of season encounter of little significance, Matt Pattison opened the scoring with an excellent finish early on. However, after a bright start, the Cards began to lose their way, and Jon Challinor equalised on 33 minutes. Rushden went on to control large parts of the game as the Cards struggled to assert any attacking authority, with Michael Rankine heading home a winner for the hosts from close range after 73 minutes.
MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
We?ve got another great programme lined up for you on Tuesday evening. Here are some of the highlights:
| Page 2 | Phil Gilchrist, still seething about the Histon loss, looks back on the Cards? last four games |
| Page 3 | David Taylor talks about his search for a new buyer for the Club |
| Page 9 | James Aughterson updates us on the Woking FC Ltd share issue. Have you joined the Cardinals Supporters? Society yet? |
| Pages 12-13 | Neil Lyne ? the man in the background: Brian Caffarey profiles the Cards? self-effacing Assistant Manager |
| Pages 24-25 | Lewis Hulatt profiles Daniel Spence |
| Page 29 | Neil Bennett compares and contrasts two of Woking?s ?legends?, Clive Walker and Tim Buzaglo |
| Page 36 | More pictures of ?Kingfield people? by David Holmes. Are you in the shot? |
| Page 37 | Colin Fielder ? Simon Studd recounts a recent interview with Colin, scorer of that marvellous winning goal v Kidderminster Harriers in our second FA Trophy Final |
| Page 41 | Peter Holdsworth occupies the ?fanfare? chair |
Plus all the usual reports, previews and news from around Kingfield, not forgetting great action shots from ace Club photographer, David Holmes. Only ?2.50. Make sure you get your copy. Order one from the Club Shop if you can?t get there on Tuesday night.
Come on, you Cards!
