Cards start County Cup trail

Whyteleafe v Woking
Surrey Senior Cup, 2ND Round
7.45pm on Thursday 6 January 2011

The Cards travel to Whyteleafe tomorrow (Thursday) evening to play their twice-postponed Surrey Senior Cup tie, their first outing in the competition this season. We are likely to see a young side in Woking colours, with several of the first team squad suffering from illness and the fitness of others needing to be conserved for Saturday’s important league game at Basingstoke Town. It appears too that neither Reiss Noel nor Joe Keehan is eligible to play, having not been signed in time for the original date for this game. So, we can probably expect to see a good number of Woking’s promising youngsters such as Matt Pegler, Josh Watkins, Anson Cousins and Charlie Turnbull in the Woking line-up.

WOKING

Woking’s unbeaten run now extends to 13 games, leaving aside the penalty shoot-out reverse against Brighton and Hove Albion. The Surrey Senior Cup can’t be a high priority for Graham Baker as he focuses intently on climbing up the Conference South table, with two tough away games coming up at Basingstoke Town and Dover Athletic, plus a very testing away tie on 15 January at AFC Wimbledon in the FA Trophy. But he will want to put out a side capable of beating the ‘Leafe and taking the club into the next round of the county cup. So, a leavening of some first team regulars, such as Dave Gilroy and Moses Ademola, who weren’t used heavily in Monday’s win over Boreham Wood, would be useful.

WHYTELEAFE

The ‘Leafe lie in 19th place in the Ryman League Division One South, having won five, drawn three and lost twelve games, scoring 26 goals and conceding 42. In the previous round in the Surrey Senior Cup they beat Banstead Athletic 3-1 away. The ‘Leafe went out of the FA Cup at the first attempt, losing 4-3 away to Chipstead. In the FA Trophy they did well to draw 0-0 away at Bognor Regis Town but then crashed to a 6-1 home defeat in the replay. On Saturday they lost 3-2 at fellow strugglers Corinthian Casuals, who, as it happens, will be at home in the next round to the winners of Thursday night’s tie.

GETTING THERE

Whyteleafe FC
Church Road
Whyteleafe
Surrey
CR3 0AR

Directions, from Whyteleafe’s official website, are as follows:

FROM THE M25 AND THE SOUTH

From Junction 6 of the M25 head north along the A22 (signposted to London, Croydon and Caterham). At Wapses Lodge Roundabout, where the Ann Summers building is clearly visible opposite, take the third exit. Take the first left adjacent to Whyteleafe South railway station and cross the level crossing. Fork right after 200 yards into Church Road. The ground is a quarter of a mile down the road on the right.

FROM THE NORTH

From Purley Cross (where the A23 crosses the A22), head south signposted to Eastbourne and the M25. Pass 'My Old China' (Chinese restaurant) on your right and continue under a railway bridge. Follow the A22 through Kenley and into Whyteleafe. At the first roundabout (with Whyteleafe Tavern opposite), turn right and cross a level crossing adjacent to Whyteleafe Station. Take first left into Church Road keeping St Luke Church to your right. The ground is a quarter of a mile up the road on the left.

PARKING

Due to developments within the ground, on-site parking is now significantly more limited than in the past. There are no parking restrictions along Church Road – however, please have consideration for local residents. In addition there is a large car park at Whyteleafe Railway Station but please do check for charges made by Southern Railway.

BY TRAIN

Trains leave Woking for Whyteleafe South station at 12 and 46 minutes past the hour, with a change at Clapham Junction. Journey time is around an hour. Alternatively, trains leave at 22 minutes past the hour, changing at Clapham Junction and Upper Warlingham.

Trains leave Whyteleafe South for the return journey at 21.42, 22.12 and 22.41, with changes at East Croydon and Clapham Junction.


Come on, you Cards!