Garry calls for support on Saturday

Woking v Wrexham
3pm on Saturday 29 March 2014

Immediately following the Cards’ sensational victory at Luton Town Garry Hill expressed the hope that a big crowd would turn up to support his team in their next home game versus Wrexham. The Luton result may have surprised a lot of people but regular Woking fans know that Garry has assembled a talented and hard-working side who play attractive football. Come down to Kingfield on Saturday to cheer them on as they look to rise rapidly up the table.

WOKING

It was a joy to see the Cards take the game to Luton at Kenilworth Road. There was no thought of packing the midfield or getting everyone behind the ball, but, instead, Woking controlled most of the game through intelligent, attacking, skilful, passing football. The display exemplified the fine balance in the current side, especially evident in the gifted midfield quartet of Josh Payne, Keiran Murtagh, Kevin Betsy and John Goddard. On the night, though, everyone played their part to the full to produce an outstanding team performance.

The victory at Luton made it three league wins in a row for Garry Hill’s side following a tremendous 3-1 win at Barnet and a more workaday 2-0 home win over Southport and took them past Garry’s initial target of 50 points. (Yesterday evening a strong Woking line-up beat Egham Town 7-1 to reach the final of the Surrey Senior Cup.) The Cards’ long rest from Conference action following the Luton game has seen the gap to the play-off places stretch to 10 points (possibly 11 after tonight’s game involving Braintree and Nuneaton), although the Cards now have a game or two in hand on most clubs above them. With only nine games left and a host of clubs in contention, the odds are heavily against the Cards being able to bridge that divide but Garry Hill’s side now have two home games in quick succession: victories in both of those games would certainly make for a potentially very interesting finish to the season!

But the Cards will have to start both games without the hugely influential Josh Payne, suspended for two games. Options include moving Mark Ricketts back into midfield, with either Brett Johnson or Mike Cestor pairing with Joe McNerney at centre back, or bringing in Joey Jones as a direct replacement.

WREXHAM

It’s been a dreadfully disappointing season for the Reds. A club of Wrexham’s stature could be expected to be up there challenging Luton for that automatic promotion place – indeed, they reached the play-offs in the previous three seasons only to lose out to Luton twice and, in last year’s final, to Newport County – but, instead, the worry all season has been that they might slip into the relegation zone. Those concerns saw player-manager Andy Morrell step down recently, with Nuneaton Town’s manager, Kevin Wilkin, appointed as his successor last week.

Wrexham started the season with a somewhat fortunate 2-1 home win over Welling but failed to win in their following six league games. Some better results followed, including a notable home win over Luton Town, but February saw three defeats and one draw. Fortunately for the Reds, two wins over Hereford United earlier this month ensured that it was Hereford, rather than Wrexham, who have ended up in a relegation fight.

Wrexham now lie in 16th place, one place above Woking on goal difference. Last Saturday, in Wilkin’s first game in charge, Wrexham drew 1-1 at home to Salisbury City.

The Dragons’ squad includes some familiar names in skipper Dean Keates and strikers Brett Ormerod, Rob Ogleby and Andy Bishop. But huge centre back Mark Creighton was forced to retire through injury and Wrexham have also lost Polish midfielder Adrian Cieslewicz on a transfer to rivals Kidderminster Harriers. New additions last summer included winger Joe Anyinsah from Bristol Rovers; David Artell, a commanding centre-back who had a loan spell from Northampton last season; and keeper Andy Coughlin from Tranmere Rovers.

ADMISSION PRICES

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

The game will be segregated, with Wrexham fans allocated the Chris Lane Terrace (standing) and the far side of the Leslie Gosden Stand (seated).

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Saturday’s 56-page programme includes some very interesting features. Ian Nicholson interviews recently-appointed Club Director Kelvin Reay. Mark Doyle, in a moving piece, writes about some of the Woking players lost in the Great War, while Richard Mason recalls the great amateur football scene of 60 years ago. 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

Wrexham 2 Woking 0
19 October 2013

Woking’s poor early-season form continued, with this result leaving them firmly rooted in the bottom four with no goals scored in over four hours of football.

The Cards looked very flat in the first half, going behind in the 21st minute to a shot fired in by Dean Keates through a crowded penalty area following a short corner. A nervy Woking defence was fortunate to get through to half-time without conceding again.

It was a different story in the second half as the Cards at last showed some fire. Mike Cestor saw a header strike the bar and the Cards carved out a number of other chances but without being able to finish. Wrexham, meanwhile, always looked dangerous on the break and, in the last minute of normal time, Joe Clarke made the game safe, slotting past Sam Beasant after getting clear of the Woking defence.

Woking: Sam Beasant, Adam Newton, John Nutter (Anthony McNamee 72), Mark Ricketts ©, Joe McNerney, Jack Parkinson, Gavin Williams, Kevin Betsy, Mike Cestor, Scott Rendell, John Goddard (Giuseppe Sole 72). Subs not used: Niall Wright, Will Salmon, Aaron Howe

Bookings: Ricketts 43, Cestor 87

Wrexham: Andy Coughlin, Mark Carrington, Steve Tomassen, Leon Clowes, Neil Ashton, Joe Clarke, Jay Harris, Dean Keates ©, Brett Ormerod (Rob Ogleby 46), Andy Bishop, Joe Ansinyah (Theo Bailey-Jones 77). Subs not used: Anthony Stephens, Robbie Evans, Joslain Mayebi

Booking: Ogleby 63, Bishop 81

Attendance: 3,183

NEXT UP

The Cards are at home again on Tuesday evening when they take on Forest Green Rovers.

Come on, you Cards!