Cards host old rivals on Saturday

Woking v Kidderminster Harriers
3pm on Saturday 27 September 2014

Games between the Cards and the Harriers have often been among the highlights of the season, with both sides traditionally playing attractive football in a competitive, but friendly, spirit, going back to the days when the two clubs, under Geoff Chapple and Graham Allner, regularly competed at the top of the Conference. Saturday’s game should be no exception, with both clubs having made encouraging starts to the campaign but both wanting to get back to winning ways. Come on down to Kingfield and cheer on Garry Hill’s side!

WOKING

The Cards will be keen to get something out of this game after two tough trips to Torquay and Bristol Rovers which saw the end of their unbeaten record. Although both games were lost, there was nothing to suggest any real gap between Garry Hill’s side and their full-time opponents: on another day, Woking could have come away with a result in both games and certainly deserved to do so at Torquay.

Woking fans will be hoping that the week’s break from action will have given an opportunity to make progress on the injuries front: both captain Mark Ricketts and defender James Clarke were missing at Bristol Rovers plus, of course, long-term absentee Kevin Betsy.

KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

Harriers, who finished in seventh position last season, started this campaign strongly, with four wins and three draws in their opening seven games. However, the last four games have yielded only one win, 4-0 at home to Altrincham, and three defeats: away to Southport and Braintree and, most recently, a last-gasp 1-0 defeat at home to Grimsby Town.

Harriers have a strong squad and it would be very surprising if they were not amongst the play-off challengers at the end of the season. In defence they have the accomplished Chey Dunkley and Josh Gowling, plus Jared Hodgkiss, signed from Forest Green Rovers in the summer, and the highly-experienced Kevin Nicholson. Up front, Gary Whild is almost spoilt for choice, with Craig Reid, Marvin Johnson, Reece Styche, Michael Gash and Nathan Blissett among his options.

ADMISSION

The game is not segregated.

Adults: £15
Over 65s and Students with a valid NUS card: £10
U16s: £3

It’s not too late to book a place in the Geoff Chapple Lounge and make a real occasion of the day: ring the Commercial Team for details.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Have you had a look at the Club’s stylish new matchday programme yet? It’s still only £3 but now has 64 pages, with a soft laminate cover, high quality ‘finish’ and stunning photos. Saturday’s edition includes a celebration of Geoff Chapple’s 30 year association with the Club; a nostalgic evocation of lost grounds; and Mark Ricketts’s thoughts on the season so far; plus a round-up of all the recent Vanarama Conference games and much more, including match reports, previews and news of the Club’s community work and commercial initiatives. Make sure you try it out! 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 Kidderminster Harriers 0
10 December 2013

The Cards were fresh from their 4-3 away win at FC Halifax Town and had the better of the first half against the play-off challengers, though finding it difficult to create clear openings. Just before half-time there were strong appeals from Kidderminster for a penalty as Joe Lolley went to ground from the attentions of Mark Ricketts.

The breakthrough came in the 64th minute. A fine ball from Keiran Murtagh found Kevin Betsy, who slipped up the bye-line to pull back for Scott Rendell, who smashed the ball into the net. Woking pressed for a second goal but were indebted to Sam Beasant for a smart save from Josh Gowling.

Kidderminster Harriers 2 Woking 0
25 February 2014

This was the Cards’ last defeat on the road prior to their recent losses at Torquay and Bristol Rovers.

Woking approached this game confidently, having a good record at Aggborough, but their propensity to leak early goals returned to haunt them as Amari Morgan-Smith netted in the first minute. The Cards then had to re-shuffle as Mike Cestor went off with a hamstring injury.

Woking had their fair share of the game in the rest of the half, with Jack Marriott and Scott Rendell both going close. As the second half wore on, the home side found increasing success in getting behind the Woking back line but the second goal came from a free-kick, Kyle Storer evading the wall to find the bottom corner.

NEXT GAME

The Cards are at home again on Tuesday evening when Nuneaton Town, with new manager Liam Daish at the helm, are the visitors. Come on down to Kingfield and cheer on the side once more!

Come on, you Cards!