Game with an edge tomorrow

Woking v Basingstoke Town
3pm on Saturday 20 March 2010

Tomorrow’s game sees the return of Frank Gray and Gerry Murphy to Kingfield for the first time since they were eased out of the Club two years ago. Frank, though speaking in measured terms, has made no secret of the fact that he felt that they were treated badly. So, although there is the usual mantra of this just being another game, there’s bound to be an extra edge to it.

WOKING

Graham Baker has got the usual crop of injuries to worry about, as well as coping with Matthew Wright’s suspension. Jon Boardman is definitely out with a cracked rib. Craig Faulconbridge, having scored on his full debut on Tuesday, seems very unlikely to figure tomorrow following his calf injury: Graham won’t know till later today how serious Craig’s injury is but, if it rules him out for the rest of the season, that will end Craig’s time with the Club since he’s on week-to-week non-contract terms. Delano Sam-Yorke is still recovering from his ankle injury: again, his readiness to play will be assessed later today. Moses Ademola too picked up an injury to his ankle on Tuesday night and is also a doubt for tomorrow.

Graham will decide later whether to bring back Daniel Sintim on an emergency recall from his loan at Croydon Athletic. Joe McNerney can’t be recalled, though, since he’s in the first month of his loan at Ashford Town (Middx). Charlie Moone, on the bench on Tuesday, has now returned from his loan at AFC Totton and might well have a role to play tomorrow, having missed a good deal of the season with various injuries.

Graham has commented on the fine line between success and failure: “When I look back on the three draws we’ve gained in our last four games, I feel we could have had nine points rather than three. We conceded a late equaliser at Dorchester, we deserved to win at home against Staines Town and we were twice in front at Thurrock. But those games are gone and we’ve now got to concentrate on Saturday’s game against Basingstoke Town. It will be another tough match. Their management team will be particularly ‘up’ for this match, given the history; their players will be aware of that too; and they will be looking to gain some revenge for our excellent win at the Camrose earlier in the season.�

BASINGSTOKE TOWN

Frank Gray’s side have struggled somewhat following an excellent start to the season, when their progress was halted by Woking’s win at the Camrose. In recent games they’ve conceded early goals: something which has particularly concerned Frank. Sean Hankin is definitely out tomorrow and ex-Card Lewis Christon is doubtful. Another ex-Card Mitchell Bryant, who made little impact during his loan spell here from Reading but who has flourished at the Camrose, is expected to return. A new signing this week is Josh Webb, son of Neil, who has played for Aldershot Town amongst other clubs. David Pratt is probably the number one ‘danger man’.

Recent results have not been very encouraging, with three defeats out of four consecutive home games, although they included matches against Newport County and Dover Athletic:

13 Feb Weymouth 0 Basingstoke T 6
20 Feb Weston-s-Mare 1 Basingstoke T 1
23 Feb Basingstoke T 0 Eastleigh 1
2 Mar Basingstoke T 1 Newport County 5
6 Mar Basingstoke T 1 Lewes 1
13 Mar Basingstoke T 1 Dover Athletic 3

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults: £12 anywhere in the ground
Concessions/Students £8
U16s £2

Don’t forget lovely Seafare fish and chips in the Leslie Gosden Stand! And why not join the players in the Club House after the game?

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

See the earlier news item for details of our highly-praised matchday programme.


Come on, you Cards!