Big test for Cards on Tuesday

Woking v Dartford
7.45pm on Tuesday 12 November 2013

This has all the makings of a tense and hard-fought encounter as the Cards desperately seek a home win against rivals Dartford, who themselves have had a disappointing start to the season. Cards fans will be hoping that new loan signing, the very promising Jack Marriott from Ipswich Town, will help to provide the goalscoring touch that has been missing in recent games. Come on down to Kingfield on Tuesday evening to cheer the Cards on in this crucial game!

WOKING

The Cards were very unfortunate not to get anything out of their last league game, a 2-1 defeat at home to Grimsby Town a week ago, with Grimsby’s winner coming in the 92nd minute after Woking had exerted most of the pressure in the second half. But Garry Hill took some heart from an improved performance, including a promising debut by young Fulham winger Charles Banya and a strong display by half-time substitute John Goddard.

However, the Cards, now third from bottom, need to take full advantage of this run of home fixtures – with Hyde to follow next Saturday – if they are to pull themselves away from the relegation places.

DARTFORD

The Darts, like the Cards, are finding it tougher this season. They currently sit in 18th place, four points and four places above Woking. Away, they have won once (at Tamworth), drawn twice (at Chester and Hereford) and lost six times (at Aldershot, FC Halifax, Luton, Grimsby, Gateshead and Forest Green Rovers). In the First Round of the FA Cup on Saturday the Darts lost 4-2 at Salisbury City.

The Darts lost a couple of key defenders during the summer, with both Tom Champion and Tom Bonner joining Cambridge United, and have also been hit by injury problems. But they still have some fine players in their squad, including the sharp-shooting Ryan Hayes, skipper Lee Burns and Lee Noble. Among the summer arrivals were keeper Alan Julian from Newport County, defender Tyrone Sterling from Dover Athletic, defender Mat Mitchel-King from AFC Wimbledon, and defender Kenny Clark and midfielder Max Cornhill, both from Chelmsford City. A much-trumpeted capture was the long-term loan signing of striker Adam Birchall from Gillingham. A recent addition is Matt Godden, a 22 year-old striker on loan from Scunthorpe United.

The influential Elliott Bradbrook has been out with cracked ribs.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The 56-page matchday programme on Tuesday evening includes a profile of Anthony McNamee and a look back on a great Cards performance of yesteryear. Darts fan Matt Santer gives an opposing view 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 SEASON

Woking 1 Dartford 0
14 August 2012

A bad-tempered encounter saw the Cards sneak home over ten-man Darts as Gez Sole converted a controversial late penalty.

Both sides came into this fixture on the back of opening-day defeats, the Cards having lost 3-1 at Wrexham whilst Dartford had been beaten 3-2 at home by Tamworth. After a quietish start the game erupted when Lee Noble was sent off in the 35th minute after committing two identical ‘yellow card’ fouls on Kevin Betsy in the space of four minutes. Woking pressed hard in an effort to capitalise before the break but couldn’t find the net, with Louis Wells making a couple of good saves.

The Darts regained their composure after the interval and gave as good as they got for most of the half even though one man short. But in the 81st minute Loick Pires appeared to be hauled down by ex-Card Adam Green. Dartford protested furiously that the offence was outside the box but Gez Sole eventually took the kick and converted – with his celebrations leading to more ill-feeling.

The Darts came close to equalising before a relieved home crowd was able to rejoice in a hard-fought win.

Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Mike Cestor, Joe McNerney, Brett Johnson, Mark Ricketts (Dean Sinclair 90), Lee Sawyer, Bradley Bubb (Gavin McCallum 67), Kevin Betsy, Loick Pires, Brett Williams (Giuseppe Sole 67)

Unused Subs: Sam Beasant, Jack Parkinson

Dartford 4 Woking 1
1 April 2013

The Darts gained ample revenge in the away fixture, which seemed like a game too far for the Cards, playing their fourth game in seven days. Woking started brightly but Nathan Collier’s excellent strike beat Seb Brown to give the home side an early lead, which was nearly doubled before Jayden Stockley glanced a Billy Knott corner home in the 33rd minute to equalise. The Cards’ woes seemed to begin when both Bradley Bubb and Mark Ricketts had to go off just before half-time and then Lee Noble restored the Darts’ lead in injury time, being quickest to a ball ‘over the top’.

The crucial fourth goal came in the 60th minute when Seb Brown managed to half-block a shot but the ball fell nicely for Charlie Sheringham, who nodded in. The Cards never looked like getting back into the game and Lee Noble rubbed salt into the wounds with a late fourth goal for the hosts.

Woking: Seb Brown, Adam Newton, John Nutter, Brett Johnson (George Frith, 47), Jack Parkinson, Mark Ricketts (Joe McNerney, 44), Billy Knott, Lee Sawyer, Kevin Betsy, Bradley Bubb (Gavin McCallum, 41), Jayden Stockley

Unused subs: Elvijs Putnins, Brett Williams

NEXT UP

The Cards are at home to bottom-of-the-table Hyde next Saturday (16 November) and are then at home to Walton Casuals on Wednesday 20 November in the Surrey Senior Cup. Don’t forget, too, the game between England C and the Czech U21 side on Tuesday 19 November, with a 6pm kick-off, followed by the England v Germany friendly on the big screen in the Cardinals Bar. There is FREE ADMISSION to the England C game.

Come on, you Cards!