Cards hope for Cup revenge

Woking v Luton Town
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
3pm on Saturday 26 October 2013

An exciting Cup tie is in prospect at Kingfield on Saturday afternoon when the Cards, keen to avenge their recent home defeat at the hands of Luton Town, take on the Hatters in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Come along and roar on Garry Hill’s side to victory!

WOKING

The Cards’ four-match unbeaten run came to an end at Wrexham last weekend when they lost 2-0, although they created more than enough chances to have at least shared the points. But that game made it a worrying three matches in a row without scoring, so to add to defensive concerns – which seemed to have abated leading up to the Wrexham game – there are clearly also problems in putting the ball in the net. On the face of it, the chances of the latter being put right on Saturday don’t look to be very bright, given that Scott Rendell won’t be eligible to play against his parent club even if the expected confirmation of the extension of his loan spell is announced. But you wouldn’t put it past Garry’s side to spring a surprise on Saturday, bearing in mind how unpredictable cup games can sometimes be. There is certainly a great incentive for the Cards to avenge the 4-0 home defeat a month ago and to earn a potentially money-spinning tilt at a League club in the next round as well as the £12,500 prize money for the winners of Saturday’s tie.

Mike Cestor has reached five yellow cards and will be suspended for this match but Josh Payne will be available again.

LUTON TOWN

John Still, appointed in late February, seems to have assembled a side that has every chance of making the play-offs and perhaps challenging the present front-runners, Cambridge United, for that much-prized automatic promotion spot. Still has brought in several former Daggers, including striker Paul Benson, on loan from Swindon Town, who scored two goals in the Hatters’ 4-3 win at Tamworth last weekend; defender Scott Griffiths; and Solomon Taiwo, a midfielder whom Dagenham sold to Cardiff for £250k. Other additions include Anthony Charles, a Conference title-winner with Barnet and Aldershot; Shaun Walley, Southport’s pacey winger; Luke Guttridge, a midfielder from Northampton with over 400 League appearances to his name; Jim Stevenson, a midfielder from Histon, who has been receiving good reviews; defender Danny Fitzsimons, another capture from Histon; Andy Parry, a highly-rated centre half from Southport; and Alex Wall, a burly striker who played against us several times for Maidenhead United.

Luton have been rapidly climbing the table, moving up to third, eight points behind Cambridge and two behind Kidderminster Harriers. Their last eight games have produced six wins and two draws, with 24 goals scored in the process.

Defender Danny Fitzsimons is unavailable and Jon Shaw and Alex Lawless are apparently doubtful.

Last season the Hatters had a terrific Cup run, knocking out Wolves and Norwich City (away) before succumbing to Millwall. Let’s hope that they’ll want to concentrate on the league this year!

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults £15
Over 65s and students (with valid student card) £10
U16s £3

Season-ticket holders are reminded that this is an ‘all pay’ game.

In the event of a draw, the replay will be on Tuesday 29 October at 7.45pm at Kenilworth Road.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Don’t miss out on the Club’s excellent matchday programme! In another packed edition Ian Nicholson interviews keeper Sam Beasant. Our own Cardinal Hatter, Lewis Hulatt, born and bred in Luton, recalls cup moments for both clubs. There’s a reminder too of Woking’s past glorious (and recent less glorious) Cup history. 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

Woking 0 Luton Town 4
24 September 2013

The Cards came off the back of a disappointing away defeat at Macclesfield to find themselves brushed aside by an effervescent Luton side, who, once they got their noses in front, played with great confidence.

For the first half or so the Cards were very much in the game and might well have taken the lead but for a fine save by experienced keeper Mark Tyler in a one-on-one with Gavin Williams following an error from the huge Steve McNulty. However, in the 29th minute the Woking defence was exposed again at a set piece as Mark Cullen headed home from a corner, followed five minutes later by a second goal, this time a header from Andy Parry, and then a third header, again from Cullen, made it 0-3 at the interval.

Luton continued to make most of the running in the second half but somehow failed to add to their goal tally apart from a smartly-taken goal by Andre Gray after a poor Mark Ricketts pass had given possession away in midfield.

Garry Hill was not too despondent after the game, and the Cards did indeed bounce back a few days later with a good performance in a 2-0 win over Nuneaton.

NEXT UP

The Cards have another very tough game at Kingfield the following Saturday (2 November) when play-off chasers Grimsby Town are the visitors.

Come on, you Cards!