Exciting match in prospect on Tuesday

Woking v Kidderminster Harriers
7.45pm on Tuesday 10 December 2013

This could be one of the highlights of the season at Kingfield, so make sure you’re there on Tuesday evening! Both games last season provided quality football, excitement and goals – and there’s every chance that Tuesday’s match will provide more of the same, with both clubs coming off the back of superb wins on Saturday.

WOKING

The Cards are in a rich vein of form at present with four wins in their last five games, the only ‘blip’ being a 2-0 defeat at league leaders Cambridge United. Those four wins have produced 13 goals, with on-loan star Jack Marriott grabbing seven of them and strike partner Scott Rendell netting five. Once again on Saturday the front two proved too hot to handle, as the Cards raced into a 4-1 lead at FC Halifax Town, a side that had previously won nine and drawn two at home, conceding only seven goals. The Cards eventually found themselves having to defend stoutly to preserve a 4-3 win but the three points were undoubtedly well earned.

As Garry Hill pointed out after the game, the front two may be reaping the headlines but a lot of credit must go too to the likes of Josh Payne, Kevin Betsy and Keiran Murtagh who are supplying the ammunition.

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

The Harriers narrowly missed out on promotion last season after recovering in astonishing fashion from a dismal start to the campaign. Their promotion challenge this season is gathering momentum: they now lie 3rd in the table, behind Cambridge United and Luton Town.

Might the Harriers get distracted by their FA Cup run, though? On Saturday they hammered Newport County 4-2 after galloping to a four-goal lead. If anyone can keep them focused, however, it is talismanic manager Steve Burr.

The Harriers’ away record isn’t outstanding. They’ve beaten Braintree, Welling, Tamworth and Southport on their travels, drawn at Chester and Macclesfield and lost to Alfreton, Nuneaton, Dartford and Barnet.

Steve Burr strengthened the side in the summer with several impressive signings, including midfielder Lee Fowler from Doncaster Rovers and striker Joe Lolley, who augments an already-fine strike force which includes Michael Gash, Anthony Malbon and Amari Morgan-Smith.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

WFC CHRISTMAS PROJECT

There will be a bucket collection on Tuesday evening for the WFC Christmas Project, with donations being used to provide hampers to help the aged, lonely or financially-struggling families at Christmas.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The 56-page matchday programme on Tuesday includes plenty of interest for Woking and Harriers fans alike. James MacDonald recalls some memorable encounters between the two sides and profiles a great Harriers manager, Graham Allner. Harriers fan David Humphreys talks about the current Kidderminster side and assesses their promotion prospects. Ian Nicholson profiles promising Cards midfielder John Goddard. 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 2 Kidderminster Harriers 2
6 November 2012

A pulsating end-to-end encounter saw the Cards take an early lead, with Lee Sawyer scoring from a fine Kevin Betsy pass. But the Harriers equalised in the 16th minute, Nathan Blissett thundering in a header. The Harriers missed a penalty – Aaron Howe making a splendid save – before taking a 2-1 lead just before half-time, Blissett again converting.

The Cards gradually gained some ascendancy in the second half and equalised when Bradley Bubb took advantage of an uncharacteristic slip by Josh Gowling.

Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Joe McNerney, Brett Johnson, Adam Doyle (Mike Cestor 62), Mark Ricketts, Jack Parkinson (Dean Sinclair 46), Lee Sawyer, Kevin Betsy, Gavin McCallum, Bradley Bubb (Loick Pires 80)

Unused subs: Sam Beasant, Brett Williams

Kidderminster Harriers 2 Woking 2
26 March 2013

Another breathless encounter between these two sides saw the Cards deprive the league leaders of two vital home points. The Harriers started quickly and took the lead in the 13th minute when Gowling headed in at the far post from a corner. Against the run of play, the Cards equalised six minutes later when Bubb scored from the spot after being brought down by Demetriou. Both sides had more chances before the break but without capitalising. Woking began the second half confidently but found themselves behind again ten minutes later when Malbon scored after Gash had headed a deep ball back across the box. Harriers fans had barely finished applauding when Billy Knott scored a sensational goal, running right through the centre of the Kidderminster defence and beating the keeper from 20 yards. Woking had to survive some heavy pressure before collecting a hard-earned point.

Woking: Seb Brown, Adam Newton, Joe McNerney, Brett Johnson, John Nutter, Mark Ricketts, Lee Sawyer (Mike Cestor 82), Kevin Betsy, Billy Knott (George Frith 87), Bradley Bubb (Gavin McCallum 74), Jayden Stockley

Unused subs: Elvijs Putnins, Adam Francis

NEXT UP

The Cards make the long trip to North Ferriby United next Saturday in the 2nd Round of the FA Trophy and, the following Saturday (21 December), travel to Nuneaton. The Cards’ next home league game is on Boxing Day when high-flying Salisbury City are the visitors.

Come on, you Cards!