Cards seek third win in a row

Altrincham v Woking
3pm on Saturday 11 October 2014

The Cards travel north again on Saturday, hoping to notch their third win in a row. Altrincham, though, have shown some improved form recently and are likely to prove tougher opponents than Southport, whom Garry Hill’s side defeated 5-2 last weekend. So, Garry will be looking for greater defensive solidity to complement the Cards' attacking prowess.

WOKING

Unlike most other sides, the Cards did not have a midweek league game and consequently slipped to 6th place in the table but they are only five points behind leaders Barnet with a game in hand. Instead, they played a training match against a Stevenage XI, which ended 2-2, with Dean Morgan and Jack Marriott scoring. The good news from that game was that Kevin Betsy played a full 90 minutes and that James Clarke and Jake Cole also re-appeared after their injuries. The bad news was that Mark Ricketts returned only to leave the field injured again.

Mark Ricketts’ continuing absence – assuming that he is unfit for Saturday – is a blow but it says much about the strength of Garry Hill’s squad this season that he can call on players of the calibre of Joey Jones to replace Mark.

ALTRINCHAM

The Robins were promoted back to the Conference Premier at the end of last season after an absence of three years. Not surprisingly, given that they are one of the least well-supported teams in the league, they have found life tough so far. They lost five out of their opening six games, the exception being a 2-1 home win over Bristol Rovers. A home win over Dartford followed, plus two draws against Alfreton and Eastleigh, before a dreadful sequence of three heavy defeats at the hands of Kidderminster, Barnet and, surprisingly, Welling at home (0-4). But recent form has been much improved with a 1-0 home win over local rivals Macclesfield Town, an amazing 3-1 away win at FC Halifax Town – the Shaymen’s first defeat since the Cards’ victory there last season – and, midweek, a very creditable 0-0 draw at Grimsby Town, where, by all accounts, they showed great spirit to survive a second-half Mariners’ onslaught.

Altrincham now sit in 18th place in the table with 15 points from 15 games. At home they’ve won three, drawn one and lost three. Damian Reeves is, as usual, top scorer with six goals. Other familiar names include keeper Stuart Coburn, who has amassed over 600 appearances for the Robins, captain Shaun Densmore and experienced striker Kyle Perry.

GETTING THERE

J Davidson Stadium
Moss Lane
Altrincham
Cheshire
WA15 8AP

Official website: www.altrinchamfc.co.uk

By coach

The Cards Trust coach leaves Kingfield at 9.30am. Ring (01483 772470) or email (shop@wokingfc.co.uk) the Club Shop to book your place. The price is £25 for Cards Trust members and £30 for non-members.

By car

Leave M6 motorway at junction 19 (Manchester and Airport sign). Join A556 and follow Airport signs to M56. Do NOT take the M56 but carry straight on at roundabout on A56. At first traffic lights (1 mile) turn right for Bowdon/Hale (B5161). Carry on for 1 mile, passing The Quality Hotel on the right. Go through the traffic lights, then right at the mini roundabout into Hale Road (avoiding town centre). Carry on for approximately 1 mile, turning right into Westminster Road (opposite cemetery entrance). Carry straight on for approximately 3/4 mile into Moss Lane. The football ground is on the right.

By train

Trains run from Euston to Altrincham station, via a change at Stockport. Look up www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.trainline.com for details of times and prices. Altrincham station is about ten minutes’ walk from the ground. There is also a Metrolink tram service from Manchester city centre, about eight miles away.

ADMISSION PRICES

Standing: Adults £14, Concessions £9
Seating: Adults £15, Concessions £10
Disabled with Helper: Combined price £14
12-16 year olds: £5
Under 12: £2

The concessionary ages are, currently, for women 60 and over and for men 65 and over.

LAST TIME OUT

Altrincham 1 Woking 0
21 February 2009

The two sides last met in the season in which the Cards were eventually relegated from the Conference Premier.

The Cards played scrappily in the first half and went behind to a Chris Senior strike which resulted from a poor attempted clearance from left back Joe Anderson, making his debut on loan from Fulham. Woking dominated play in the second half but couldn’t put the ball in the net – with the best chance falling to Paul Lorraine from a corner.

The last ten minutes were notable for the sight of youth team central defender Joe McNerney being thrown on up front and making some very useful contributions.

Woking: Simon Eastwood, Patrice Konan, Paul Lorraine, Michael Kamara, Joe Anderson, Joel Ledgister (Liam Marum, 77), Oliver Bozanic, Paolo Vernazza (Kelvin Bossman, 56), Matt Pattison, Charlie Moone (Joe McNerney, 86), Wilfried Domoraud

Unused subs: Ross Worner, Dan Sintin

NEXT GAME

The Cards’ next home league game is on Saturday 18 October when they play AFC Telford. (The training game which had been arranged on Tuesday against a Reading XI has been cancelled.)


Come on, you Cards!


P.S. Don’t forget Race Night on Friday 17 October: see yesterday’s news item.