Cards aim to make amends

Woking v Wrexham
7.45pm on Wednesday 12 November 2014

Don’t forget that this game has been switched to Wednesday evening! Garry Hill has made it clear that he’s expecting a strong reaction from his players to the extremely disappointing performance at Wrexham on Sunday in the FA Cup. The Cards have been going through a rough patch recently after a superb start to the season. This match is the ideal opportunity to regain confidence and get back on track. Come down to Kingfield and cheer the team on to victory!

WOKING

It was a very frustrating afternoon on Sunday for Cards fans, especially those who had made the long trek to Wrexham. The side started brightly and were asking the questions before the first critical error of the afternoon handed the visitors the initiative, with an unnecessary free-kick which then led to the penalty (which Jake Cole did well to save initially). The second Wrexham goal resulted from the sort of muddle over a free-kick which you’d be surprised to see in schoolboy football, let alone from a semi-professional Conference Premier side. The third Wrexham goal was well taken but resulted from a poor pass on the edge of the Wrexham area and inadequate defending of a swift counter-attack. On top of this, the Wrexham keeper had only one save of note to make the whole afternoon from a toothless Woking front line, which, to be fair, did not receive a huge amount of help from the midfield areas.

Garry must be tempted to make changes but his options are limited, with Dean Morgan and Mark Ricketts out injured and Keiran Murtagh presumably still on international duty. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gez Sole given a start again. Unfortunately, Joe McNerney picked up his fifth yellow card on Sunday, so will miss the game.

WREXHAM

The Red Dragons made the most of the gifts which Woking handed to them on Sunday after a hesitant start. Their most influential player was Wes York, who worked tirelessly to get himself in good positions and whose pace discomforted the Woking defenders all afternoon. Although it might be tempting fate to say so, I don’t believe this Wrexham side is more talented than Woking’s but, at present, too many of Garry Hill’s side are playing below par and there appears to be insufficient determination and conviction in the squad.

ADMISSION

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

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The Club’s stylish new matchday programme continues to attract compliments. It’s still only £3 but now has 64 pages, with a soft laminate cover, high quality ‘finish’ and stunning photos. Wednesday’s edition includes an interview with new Commercial Manager and ‘whirlwind’, Nicky Banger; a welcome to Sponsor’s Lounge special guest, Mark Ricketts; an update on the Academy; and memories of a game in which the Cards came away with distinctly red faces; plus a round-up of all the recent Vanarama Conference and FA Cup 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 2 Wrexham 1
29 March 2014

The Cards notched their fourth league win in a row with this win against the Red Dragons. Showing no signs of rustiness after their 12-day lay-off following their superb televised win at Luton Town, the Cards’ early pressure paid off with Scott Rendell bagging his 14th goal of the season in all competitions. A swift counter-attack saw Jack Marriott’s lobbed effort fall kindly at the feet of Rendell at the far post, leaving the frontman to slot home from six yards out for an easy opener.

Before Woking could build on their early lead, however, Wrexham struck back just one minute later through Johnny Hunt’s scrappy equaliser, to level the scores at one a piece.

Joey Jones, in for the suspended Josh Payne and winning the ‘man of the match’ award, sealed all three points for Garry Hill’s men with a neatly-taken finish shortly after half-time in an, at times, cagey encounter, but one they found themselves largely dominating.

Woking’s Woking: Aaron Howe (Sam Beasant 43), Adam Newton, John Nutter, Mark Ricketts (c), Joe McNerney, Kevin Betsy, Keiran Murtagh, Scott Rendell, John Goddard, Jack Marriott (Giuseppe Sole 75), Joey Jones (Brett Johnson 81)

Unused Subs: Mike Cestor, Reece Beckles

Goals: Scott Rendell 20, Joey Jones 57

Wrexham: Andy Coughlin, Stephen Wright, Neil Ashton, Danny Livesey, Joe Clarke, Jay Harris, Andy Bishop (Brett Ormerod 79), Dean Keates (c), Johnny Hunt, Bradley Reid (Joe Anyinsah 66), Mark Carrington

Unused Subs: Joslain Mayebi, Steve Tomassen, Dave Artell

Goal: Johnny Hunt 21

Attendance: 2,117

COMING UP

Next Sunday (16 November) Woking travel to FC Halifax Town and will once again feature in a televised game, this time being shown by BT Sport with a 2pm kick-off. See the news item earlier today (Monday) about lunch in the Geoff Chapple Lounge, followed by viewing the game. The Cards’ next home game, on Saturday 22 November, is a very attractive clash with league leaders and old foes Barnet. Make sure the date is in the diary!

Come on, you Cards!