Specsavers

Cards target three points

Brian Caffarey
5:34pm, Thu 7th Apr 2016
Woking v Gateshead
Vanarama National League
3pm on Saturday 9 April 2016

The Cards are still searching for that elusive win following two draws and a defeat in their last three games. The Heed have a fine away record and, although a play-off place is probably now beyond them, they will provide tough opposition for Garry Hill’s side. Come down to the Laithwaite Community Stadium to cheer the Cards on to victory!

Woking FC are grateful to Stadia Solutions for sponsoring Saturday’s game.

WOKING

Garry Hill will be hoping that the Cards can build on some signs of improvement against Southport – where they led 2-0 with only fifteen minutes to go before being hauled back to 2-2 – and finally manage to register three points. Top scorer John Goddard will presumably still be missing following the hamstring injury sustained at Welling United on Easter Monday. But on-loan Bournemouth midfielder Matt Butcher showed his ability as he weighed in with two fine strikes at Haig Avenue.

GATESHEAD

Neil Aspin’s side now lie 9th in the table, six points behind fifth-placed Tranmere Rovers, having played a game more than most of the sides above them. Realistically, their chances of making the play-offs now look remote – which will be disappointing to Heed supporters since they were well-placed at one point, sitting in sixth position. The problem has been Gateshead’s home form. They have lost nine games at home, including their last three home fixtures, culminating in a very poor 3-0 home defeat by Macclesfield Town on Easter Monday and a 2-1 defeat by Torquay United last weekend.

But Gateshead seem to be a different team on their travels, with their away record being bettered only by Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers.

The Heed squad includes highly-rated keeper Sam Russell, experienced defenders Ben Clark and Craig Baxter, while their strike force includes Jon Shaw, James Marwood, Danny Johnson and top scorer Ryan Bowman. The Heed’s long-term injuries include tricky winger Adam Wrightson, Marwood and Simon Ramsden. Aspin has recently brought in on-loan midfielder Michael Onovwigan from Chesterfield.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adults - £18
Over 65s, Students with NUS card, forces personnel and MOD civilian staff with recognised ID - £13
U16s - £5

The game is not expected to be segregated.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Another packed, full colour, 64-page matchday programme includes an interview with all-action midfielder Godfrey Poku; a look at managerial changes this season in the National League; and a look back at a game in which the Cards showed their mettle. In addition, there’s a summary of recent league results; and news from the Club Board and the Cards Trust, plus match previews, reports and the usual superb match action photos. Great value at only £3!

LAST TIME WE MET

Gateshead 1 Woking 5
Vanarama National League
19 December 2015

It’s nice to be reminded of the sort of displays the Cards were capable of producing before they hit the wall in early January.

Although the final scoreline was emphatic, the first half was an evenly contested end-to-end affair. Dan Holman gave the Cards a very early lead with a clever back-heel after some great build-up play. However, this was soon cancelled out by Paddy McLaughlin. Jake Cole was kept busy but the Cards also threatened down the flanks through ‘man of the match’ Jake Caprice and Bruno Andrade and the effervescent Holman. Shortly before half-time Holman restored Woking’s lead, had another effort ruled out and went close twice.

The decisive third goal came in the 68th minute with Andrade finishing powerfully. Matt Robinson added a fourth in the 77th minute from another fine Caprice cross and Joe Quigley rubbed salt into Heed wounds with an injury-time fifth.

Gateshead: Shaun MacDonald, Craig Baxter, James Curtis, Ben Clark ©, Rob Ramshaw, Gus Mafuta, Jordan Cranston, Danny Johnson, Adam Wrightson (George Honeyman 31), Paddy McLaughlin, CJ Hamilton (Nathan Buddle 46)

Subs not used: Sam Russell, Dean Briggs, Martin Smith

Goals: Paddy McLaughlin (17)

Woking: Jake Cole, Jake Caprice, Brian Saah, Matt Robinson (Keiran Murtagh 84), Cameron Norman (Chris Arthur 81), Joey Jones, Bruno Andrade, Mark Ricketts (c), John Goddard, Joe Quigley, Dan Holman (Giuseppe Sole 70)

Subs not used: Nick Hamann, Jimmy Keohane

Goals: Dan Holman (3, 41), Bruno Andrade (68), Matt Robinson (77), Joe Quigley (90+2)

Attendance: 573

COMING UP

The Cards travel to Forest Green Rovers next Saturday (16 April). Call in at the Club Shop on Saturday to book your place on the coach. They are then at home to Grimsby Town in their penultimate home game of the season on Tuesday 19 April before travelling to Lincoln City on Saturday 23 April. The Cards’ final game of the season is at home to Eastleigh on Saturday 30 April with a 5.30pm kick-off.

Come on, you Cards!

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