Hatters provide next test
Brian Caffarey
3:08pm, Sun 24th Jul 2016
Woking v Luton Town
Pre-season Friendly
7.45pm on Tuesday 26 July 2016
Cards fans will be interested to see on Tuesday evening if Garry Hill’s side can reproduce the fine form that saw off League One side Swindon Town at the weekend. Former loan favourite Jack Marriott is in the Hatters’ squad, who, though a division lower, might well offer a tougher pre-season test than the Robins.
WOKING
It was a good all-round performance from contracted players and trialists alike on Saturday. Among the former, keeper Michael Poke, though not overly busy, was faultless and it was encouraging to see him issue a lot of instructions to the defence ahead of him; Joey Jones and Brian Saah combined very well in central defence; Jake Caprice showed all the pacy, attacking qualities we saw last season; Keiran Murtagh was classy and was well supported by Max Kretzschmar and, later on, by Charlie Penny and Fabio Saraiva; Gozi Ugwu looked as though he could be a bit of a handful on the ground and in the air; and Delano Sam-Yorke worked tirelessly and took his goals well. The pick of the trialists was Watford Academy player Dennon Lewis, who attacked at pace, but Zac Ansah took his goal well and Chike Kandi also looked a threat, while former Academy player Charlie Carter looked very comfortable again in midfield.
LUTON TOWN
Jack Marriott is the man in form for Luton Town, scoring both goals in the weekend’s 2-1 home win over Brighton and Albion, to add to the three he scored against Bedford Town in the Hatters’ 9-0 demolition of their county neighbours. Marriott missed the intervening friendly, which saw Luton lose 1-0 at Boreham Wood. Marriott, who was the supporters’ ‘player of the year’ last season after scoring 16 goals in 25 starts, has recently been rewarded with a new three-year contract.
Arrivals at Kenilworth Road this summer include ex-Shot Danny Hylton, who scored 14 goals in Oxford United’s successful bid for promotion last season, and club mate, midfielder Johnny Mullins. Defender Alan Sheehan has signed permanently from Bristol City after a loan spell last season, and striker Josh McQuoid has joined from AFC Bournemouth. Keeper Christian Walton has arrived on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, with the Seagulls’ midfielder Glen Rea also joining. The Hatters’ latest signing is Isaac Vassell, a striker who was with Truro City and, before that, Plymouth Argyle.
The Hatters begin their league campaign on Saturday 6 August with a trip to Plymouth Argyle and are then at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday 10 August in the EFL Cup.
ADMISSION PRICES
Adults £10
Concessions £5
COMING UP
The Cards’ final pre-season game is:
Friday 29th July 2016 - Woking v AFC Wimbledon (7.45pm)
The Cards start their Vanarama National League season on Saturday 6 August with a home game against Lincoln City.
Come on, you Cards!
