MKJ Group

Top-of-the-table clash

Brian Caffarey
7:20am, Fri 2nd Sep 2011
Welling United v Woking
3pm on Saturday 3 September 2011

It’s a bit early in the campaign to be talking about a ‘six pointer’ but this game between the current top two sides looks to be particularly significant since all the signs are that both clubs will put in a strong challenge for promotion this season. With both sides capable of scoring freely, it also promises to be an exciting clash between two very watchable teams. What could be more fitting on Non-League Day? Bring your Premiership-supporting friends along to experience some real football!

WOKING

The Cards have shown so far that, playing away from home against teams who are prepared to ‘give it a go’, they can take advantage of the available space to punish lax defences. Five goals at Sutton on the opening day and six at Tonbridge Angels on Bank Holiday Monday provide ample proof of that. But Eastleigh shut up shop to force a 0-0 draw and, at home against defensive formations, Garry Hill’s side have also struggled for ascendancy. It’s hard to believe, though, that Jamie Day’s Welling, having scored four goals more than the Cards and with home advantage, won’t fancy their chances. The Cards’ defence, a trifle complacent perhaps at Tonbridge in conceding three goals, will need to recover their previous resilience, whilst the Woking forwards will have to make sure that they don’t waste the chances created – which won’t be as easily come by as at Tonbridge.

It seems likely that, subject to any injuries, Woking will start with the same line-up as at Tonbridge, with Paris Cowan-Hall keeping out Gez Sole and with Jay Davies still having to bide his time.

WELLING UNITED

The Wings were unfortunate in some ways not to make the play-offs last season, missing the cut by a point after suffering a five-point deduction. Jamie Day, just announced as the BSBS ‘Manager of the Month’, has done a remarkable job at Park View Road, especially considering the relatively limited resources at his disposal, and has somehow managed to retain this season several players who seem to be coveted by clubs higher up the pecking order. Prominent among these are captain Jack Parkinson, Loick Pires and Jack Obersteller, who all had pre-season trials with League clubs. Pires and Andy Pugh (BSBS ‘Player of the Month’) have been in fine goalscoring form so far. Pugh has already netted seven goals in six games, whilst Pires has grabbed four. Other familiar names in a strong squad include two players signed from St Albans City: the former striker Lee Clarke, who won the Wings’ ‘player of the year’ award last season in central midfield, and tall defender Ben Martin.

LAST SEASON

Welling United 2 Woking 0
18 September 2010

An unbeaten three-game run came to an abrupt end at Park View Road. In a game of ‘two halves’, Woking threatened from the kick-off and enjoyed the best of the early exchanges, with Dave Gilroy and Moses Ademola both going close. The second half saw a strike by Welling’s Andy Pugh to give the Wings the lead and a late quick free-kick from Loick Pires which fooled Lenny Pidgeley and put the game out of the Cards’ reach.

Woking 0 Welling United 0
2 April 2011

The previous game had seen the Cards’ amazing 12-match unbeaten run come to a dramatic end at Eastleigh, so it was no surprise to see Garry Hill shake things up, introducing new loan signings Michael Doughty and Lyle Taylor. But neither side could make the decisive breakthrough in spite of the Wings having to hold out for the final half-hour with 10 men after Anthony Acheampong had been sent off for two bookings. The unwelcome draw left the Cards at the back of the eight clubs contesting the top five places.

GETTING THERE

Welling United FC
Park View Road
Welling
Kent
DA16 1SY
Website:www.wellingunited.com

By Coach

The Cards Trust coach leaves Kingfield at 12.30pm. Prices are £13 for members and £18 for non-members. Ring or email the Club Shop (shop@wokingfc.co.uk) today to book.

By Car

Leave the M25 at Junction 2. At the roundabout, take the A2 towards Central London. Leave the A2 at the third exit (Danson Interchange, signposted A221 to Bexleyheath and Sidcup). Turn right (second exit) at the roundabout at the end of the slip road, and then turn right (third exit) at the next roundabout. Go under the A2 bridge and up the slope to another roundabout. Take the second exit and follow the road (Danson Road) to the traffic lights at the end. Turn left at the lights onto Park View Road. The ground is on the left. There is no car park, but plenty of street parking is available.

By Train

Nearest station: Welling

From Woking take the train to Waterloo. Then from Waterloo East catch the train to Welling. Direct trains are at 05 and 35 minutes past the hour and take 28 minutes e.g. the 13.35 arrives at 14.03 and the 14.05 arrives at 14.33. Other trains involve a change at London Bridge – or, alternatively, you could get the tube to London Bridge from Waterloo and start your journey from there. On the way back direct trains to Waterloo East are at 04 and 34 minutes past the hour. The ground is about 15 minutes’ walk from the station. Just walk down to the main road (Bellegrove Road/Welling High Street), turn left and keep going till you reach the ground on your right.

ADMISSION PRICES/FACILITIES

Adults: £12
Concessions: £7
U12: £3
Seating: £1

The club will be showing highlights of Welling’s season so far on the big screen in the Wings bar before the match from 1.30pm.

And there will be a ‘happy hour’ from 1.30pm until 2.30pm with all bottled beer and cider priced at £2. Pints of Fosters and real ale will be available at £2.50. There will also be hot and cold food available, pies £2, filled rolls £1.50 and chilli and rice £2.

Come on, you Cards!

N.B. Don’t forget that the Cards Trust’s AGM is at 7.30pm on Monday 5 September in the Cardinals’ Bar and that there is a Fans’ Forum next Thursday evening (8 September).

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Woking Football Club Limited
A company incorporated in England and Wales (company number: ‍03329172)
Registered office The Laithwaite Community Stadium, Kingfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9AA

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