Cards try to beat the weather

Woking v Newport County
7.45pm on Tuesday 22 January 2013

Ground staff and fans are desperately trying to beat the weather in an effort to ensure Tuesday night’s game can be played. Justin Edinburgh’s and Jimmy Dack’s side have been the pace-makers for much of the season but their form has dipped in recent weeks. Can the Cards repeat their victory down at Rodney Parade? Come down to Kingfield for what should be a keenly-contested match.

WOKING

Although games have been intermittent because of the weather, Garry Hill’s side are on a good run of form, with four victories in their last five league games. Playing surfaces haven’t favoured Woking’s passing style but they’ve shown a pleasing ability to ‘dig in’ and adapt their game as necessary. Garry should have everyone available for selection and, with Loick Pires’s loan to Boreham Wood earlier this week, Jayden Stockley, with goals in each of his last two league appearances, and Brett Williams, still waiting to put on his boots again after his three-match suspension, must both be eyeing a starting eleven place.

In spite of the Cards’ recent good run, the table remains very congested, with only six points separating Woking in 12th place from AFC Telford in 21st place. Equally, the Cards are only eight points behind Kidderminster in 5th place, with two games in hand. Garry, celebrating two impressive years in charge at Kingfield, will be hoping that Woking’s home form continues to keep them away from danger.

NEWPORT COUNTY

County fans and staff worked like Trojans to make sure their game against Barrow could be played on Saturday but must have wished they hadn’t bothered as County sank to a surprising 2-0 defeat at home to Barrow.

County still sit in second place in the table, a point behind Wrexham, but their form has been patchy in the last few months, with five wins, one draw and six defeats in league and cup games since the beginning of November. Having said that, their last two away league games saw wins over Forest Green Rovers and Lincoln City.

The Exiles have some money behind them this season and Justin Edinburgh has packed his squad with players with a strong non-League pedigree, including keepers Alan Julian and ex-Card Lenny Pidgeley; top BSP scorer Aaron O’Connor, formerly with Edinburgh at Rushden; Tony James, the hugely-experienced centre back previously with Hereford, Weymouth and Burton; the ex-AFC Wimbledon quartet of Lee Minshull, Max Porter, Ismail Yakubu and new recruit Christian Jolley; Danny Crow, the former Cambridge and Luton striker; and another new signing, winger Robbie Wilmott, also with Cambridge and Luton on his CV.

The misery of Saturday’s defeat was compounded by seeing O’Connor carried off on a stretcher with a thigh tear which is expected to sideline him for some weeks.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 65s/Students £10
U16s £5

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Tuesday’s 56-page full colour programme is a ‘must’ for anyone interested in local football, with Bob Cumming’s review of the progress of teams in Surrey and beyond. There is also an interview with new signing John Nutter, an opposing view from a Newport County fan, plus all the news from the BSP, match reports, previews, superb action photos and much more. 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

Newport County 2 Woking 3
27 October 2013

In one of the biggest shocks of the season to date, Woking, with only one win away from home, inflicted the first home league defeat on leaders Newport County.

The Cards got off to a perfect start as a clever ball from Gavin McCallum in the 6th minute found Kevin Betsy in the area. Betsy made space and finished from the tightest of angles. On the quarter-hour mark it was that man Betsy again, picking up the ball from a corner, beating two defenders and drilling past Pidgeley once more.

Woking looked worth their two-goal lead but just before half-time a superb Andy Sandell free-kick reduced the deficit. Newport looked much more determined in the second half, although Woking had chances on the counter-attack too. An inspired substitution from Garry Hill saw Bradley Bubb, coming on for Loick Pires, extend Woking’s lead in the 67th minute.

There was the usual last-gasp drama for Woking as Flynn headed home for County with two minutes remaining but the Cards held firm for a well-deserved victory.

Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Joe McNerney, Brett Johnson, Mike Cestor, Mark Ricketts, Jack Parkinson, Lee Sawyer, Kevin Betsy, Gavin McCallum (Adam Doyle 90) Loick Pires (Bradley Bubb 65)

Unused subs: Sam Beasant, Dean Sinclair, Brett Williams

Goals: Betsy 6 and15; Bubb 67

Cautions: Ricketts 24

Newport County: Lenny Pidgeley, Andrew Hughes, Tony James, Lee Minshull, Danny Crow, Andy Sandell, Jake Thomson (Jefferson Louis 71), Max Porter, Ben Swallow (Conor Washington 81), Aaron O'Connor, Lee Evans (Michael Flynn 84)

Unused subs: Jake Harris, Joe Perry

Goals: Andy Sandell 45; Michael Flynn 89

Attendance: 2088

NEXT GAME

The Cards travel to in-form Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday and then have another testing home game next Tuesday (29 January) when they take on big-spending Forest Green Rovers.

Come on, you Cards!