Crucial home game on Friday evening

Woking v Tamworth
7.45pm on Friday 13 September 2013 (NB change of date)

Although the scoreline did not reflect it, the Cards put in a much-improved display at Alfreton Town last Saturday and will be hoping to turn the tide on Friday evening as they look to banish a run which has seen them lose four games in a row. Garry Hill will be very anxious to get something from this match and would no doubt welcome lots of vocal support from Cards fans, so get down to Kingfield if you possibly can and cheer on the team. All U16s will be admitted free.

WOKING

Barring any injuries, Garry Hill should have a full squad to choose from on Friday evening, with Adam Newton expected to return after compassionate leave following the birth of his daughter. Cards fans will be hoping that the squad will include the much-awaited signing of a new striker since it’s clear that the side isn’t posing a big enough threat up front at present.

The Cards currently sit in 20th place in the table with four points from their opening seven games: a poor return from matches against clubs which, with perhaps one exception, are unlikely to be play-off contenders.

TAMWORTH

The Lambs are a full-time side but have tended to struggle in this league, having escaped relegation on the final day of the last two seasons – last term with a victory over the Cards. They had a good start to this season, with an away win at Salisbury followed by home draws against fancied Barnet and Wrexham, but then suffered three consecutive defeats at the hands of Hereford (away), Dartford (home) and Cambridge United (away). But they recovered last Saturday in fine style, beating Southport 4-1 at home, with Richard Peniket notching two goals. They now sit in 16th place in the table with eight points from seven games.

Manager Dale Belford rang the changes in the summer, with only seven of last season’s squad being retained. Among the arrivals, Cards fans will be particularly interested to see former favourite Justin Richards. Another arrival was Cameron Belford, the manager’s son, who appeared some 80 times in goal for Bury before being released in the summer. 20 year-old midfielder Louis Harris appeared for AFC Wimbledon last season. The best-known name in the Lambs’ squad is that of Darren Byfield, the one-time Aston Villa player and Jamaican international, who is now approaching his 37th birthday. A recent signing is Lateef Elford-Alliyu, a former England U17 international who was with Crawley Town last season.

The Cards will have to be aware of Tony Capaldi’s long throws: Tony is a former Northern Ireland international who joined the Lambs in the summer after stints at Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City and Oxford United.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 65s and students (with valid student card) £10
U16s FREE

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Don’t miss out on the Club’s excellent matchday programme! In another packed edition Ian Nicholson interviews Josh Payne. I look at the recent goings-on at Farnborough FC and Richard Mason recalls one of Woking’s greatest-ever victories. And there’s an ‘opposing view’ from Tamworth fan, Nigel Vaughan. And of course there are all the usual match reports, previews, news and great photos. 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

The Lambs did the double over us last season. On 29 September 2012 they ended Woking’s four-match unbeaten run. The Cards performed poorly in the first half, seeming to miss the suspended Lee Sawyer in midfield. Tamworth took the lead in the 7th minute, with Tommy Wright latching onto a knock-down from a corner. Another goal followed in the 22nd minute when top scorer Adam Cunnington outpaced the Cards’ defence as he chased a seemingly harmless through ball. The Cards were denied a clear penalty shortly before half-time but came out in more purposeful mood after the break. Loick Pires, on for Jay Davies, created a goal for Kevin Betsy on 57 minutes and many of the Woking players thought that Gavin McCallum had grabbed the equaliser three minutes later. The Lambs took advantage, going straight up the other end, with Baldock netting to make it 1-3. The Cards reduced the arrears in stoppage time when Mike Cestor bundled the ball over the line.

The return game on 20 April this year was the final fixture of the season. Jayden Stockley gave the Cards the lead with a header but Tom Marshall equalised from the edge of the box. On the 20-minute mark Lee Hendrie was bowled over by Mike Cestor, with Cunnington converting the penalty. The win secured the Lambs’ place in the Conference Premier, although other results would have left them safe as it happened.

NEXT UP

The Cards travel to Hyde on Tuesday evening and will be hoping for a very different result from last season, when they succumbed to a shock 7-0 defeat. That’s followed by another trip north to Macclesfield on Saturday 21 September. The next home game sees the not-to-be-missed visit of Luton Town on Tuesday 24 September, quickly followed on Saturday 28 September by the visit of surprise package, Nuneaton Town. Make sure you’ve got the home games firmly in your diary.

Come on, you Cards!