Cards seek another home win

Woking v Altrincham
7.45pm on Tuesday 2 December 2014

The Cards squeezed past Braintree Town on Saturday to earn three vital points in their quest to remain in the play-off hunt, moving up to fourth spot in the table. Three more points is the target again on Tuesday evening when an improving Altrincham side are likely to provide another stiff test. A win would take Woking into second or third place, depending on Bristol Rovers’ result at Wrexham. Come on down to Kingfield and cheer Garry Hill’s side on to another victory!

Remember that a road closure near the ground may lead to delays if you’re travelling by car: see the news item of 12 November for more details. Please also bear in mind that new car parking arrangements are in place at the Leisure Centre: see today’s news item.

WOKING

The Cards looked the more capable side for much of Saturday’s encounter, with some enterprising approach play in the first half not matched, however, by sufficiently clinical finishing. In the end, they had to be grateful for some obdurate defending, including some fine saves and excellent handling from the returning Ross Worner, to hold on to John Goddard’s first-half strike.

It was a pleasant surprise to find that Scott Rendell was fit enough to be on the bench – and indeed he came on towards the end of Saturday’s game, with his brief seemingly as much about helping the defence out as lending an attacking hand. If he’s fit enough to start up front on Tuesday, that would be a big boost. Whether Keiran Murtagh will have recovered sufficiently from his head injury is another matter. Joe McNerney will definitely be missing, though, quickly completing his three-match suspension.

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 fairly tough so far. They lost five out of their six opening games, the exception being a 2-1 home win over Bristol Rovers. But, apart from another poor spell when they suffered successive heavy defeats at the hands of Kidderminster, Barnet and Welling, their form has improved considerably since then. They are unbeaten in their last three games, having drawn at home to Grimsby, beaten Wrexham away and, on Saturday, they came back from a goal down to defeat Kidderminster 2-1, Damian Reeves scoring the late winner.

Altrincham now sit in 17th place in the table with 28 points from 23 games. Away from home they’ve won three games (including a 3-1 defeat of FC Halifax Town), drawn two and lost six, scoring 13 goals and conceding 23. Damian Reeves is, as usual, top scorer with eleven goals. Other familiar names include keeper Stuart Coburn, who has amassed over 600 appearances for the Robins, and experienced striker Kyle Perry. A big blow for the Robins is the loss of captain Shaun Densmore, out till the New Year with a broken collarbone.

ADMISSION

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

WOKING FC CHRISTMAS PROJECT

There will be a bucket collection on Tuesday evening for the annual Woking FC Christmas Project. Once again, the players will be visiting children’s wards at Woking and Guildford hospitals.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

The Club’s classy new programme is still only £3 but now has 64 pages, with a soft laminate cover, high quality ‘finish’ and stunning photos. If you can’t get to the game, you can order a copy from the Club Shop on shop@wokingfc.co.uk

Tuesday’s edition includes a look at how clubs relegated or promoted into the Conference National have fared in recent years, Cardinal North’s musings on the Cards’ recent visits to his neck of the woods and a profile of Linvoy Primus, who is the special guest in the Geoff Chapple Lounge. And, of course, there is 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.

LAST TIME OUT

Altrincham 0 Woking 3
11 October 2014

Both sides came into this match on the back of fine recent results, the Cards having beaten Southport away 5-2 the previous weekend, while the Robins had beaten FC Halifax Town and Macclesfield Town and drawn away at Grimsby.

Both sides were closely matched in the first half, with Jack Marriott striking the bar. The breakthrough came in the 52nd minute when some great work from John Goddard opened up the Altrincham defence for Rendell to add his 13th goal of the season.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side a couple of minutes later when Griffin was sent off for a bad challenge on Theo Lewis. Fine interplay between Dean Morgan and Rendell brought the second goal for the Cards in the 66th minute, with a clever Morgan finish.

Alty were down to nine men for the last few minutes as injuries added to a forgettable day for the home side, and Josh Payne rubbed salt into their wounds with a clinical finish to make it 3-0 to the Cards.

Woking: Ross Worner, James Clarke, Chris Arthur, Joey Jones, Mike Cestor, Josh Payne (c), Theo Lewis, Dean Morgan (Kevin Betsy 69), John Goddard (Adam Newton 69), Scott Rendell, Jack Marriott (Giuseppe Sole 77)

Subs not used: Joe McNerney, Jake Cole

Bookings: Clarke 29

Altrincham: Stuart Coburn, Shaun Densmore (c), Adam Griffin, Jake Moult, Gianluca Havern, Scott Leather, James Lawrie, Simon Richman (Ryan Crowther 60), Damian Reeves, Nicky Clee (Tom Marshall 74), Sean Williams (Peter Cavanagh 74)

Subs not used: Steven Gillespie, Kyle Perry

Sent Off: Griffin 54

Attendance: 1,218

COMING UP

The Cards’ next home league game is on Saturday 20 December against Southport, when there will be FREE ENTRY for all kids. But look out for the FA Trophy draw tomorrow to find out who Woking will be playing on Saturday 13 December. Before then the Cards have two very testing away trips: to in-form Macclesfield Town on Saturday 6 December and to Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday 9 December.

Come on, you Cards!

P.S. Don’t forget to book your tickets for the evening with Geoff Chapple and Tim Buzaglo on Friday 12 December: see the news item of 26 November for more details.