Cards look to improve away form

Sutton United v Woking
Vanarama National League
3pm on Saturday 8 October 2016

The Cards travel to newly-promoted Sutton United on Saturday, hoping to make amends for a below-par performance against Bromley on Tuesday evening when, yet again, they were undone by poor defending at a set piece. Make the short trip if you can to support Garry Hill’s side!

WOKING

The Cards, with Connor Essam and Nathan Ralph both returning to the side, were completely dominant for the first 15-20 minutes or so at Bromley on Tuesday night, with Fabio Saraiva netting another superb strike from distance to give them a very early lead. At that point it looked as though Garry Hill’s side were odds on for three points. But the early fizz evaporated to leave a ‘flat’ performance, enabling a fairly ordinary-looking Bromley side to get back into the game with virtually their first attack and eventually win it in the 90th minute as, once more, Woking failed to adequately defend a set piece.

Ironically, the Cards moved up a place to 19th in the table in spite of the defeat, thanks to York City’s continued plummeting down the table. But more relevant is that there is now a five-point gap between Woking and the team immediately above them, Bromley. The Cards’ Achilles heel has undoubtedly been their defending: they have conceded more goals than any other side apart from Southport.

Let’s hope that Tuesday’s display was simply a question of physical and mental fatigue after the exertions against Eastleigh last weekend and that the Cards can recover the energy and enterprise they showed in the second half of that game and early on against Bromley. While recent home form has been good, the Cards desperately need to start picking up some points on their travels. Worryingly, they have already journeyed to some of the weaker teams and have very little to show for it.

SUTTON UNITED

On paper, this is a much tougher fixture than the trip to Bromley, not least because the U’s have a very good home record, having won five games and lost only two. Victims have included Dagenham and Redbridge, Tranmere Rovers and Macclesfield Town. The Cards will also have to contend with Sutton’s 3G pitch. The U’s sit in 14th place in the table with 19 points from 14 games. In contrast to Woking’s fixtures, Sutton’s games have generally been very tight, with only 15 goals scored and 18 conceded.

Part of the credit for that must lie with Sutton’s keeper, ex-Woking favourite, Ross Worner, who won several league and club awards last season. Other former Woking players are Craig McAllister, who has just returned from a loan spell at Eastbourne United, and Dan Spence. Manager Paul Doswell has gathered together a very useful-looking squad, with a well-tested defence, including the highly experienced Dean Beckwith, captain Jamie Collins, Louis John, capped for England C last season, Simon Downer, with over 200 appearances for the U’s under his belt, Shaun Cooper and Kevin Amankwaah. In midfield Doswell can call on Nicky Bailey, back at Sutton after a career which has included big money transfers to Southend and Middlesbrough as well as his spells at Barnet, ex-Salisbury winger Dan Fitchett and Ryan Burge. New arrivals this summer included wide men Bradley Hudson-Oboi, Wealdstone’s player of the year last season with 15 league and cup goals, and Roarie Deacon, a former Arsenal youngster signed from Crawley and with three England U19 caps to his credit, plus strikers Max Biamou and Chris Dickson. The U’s, though, have just lost the highly-rated Dan Wishart, sold to Forest Green Rovers for a substantial sum.

GETTING THERE

The Borough Sports Ground
Gander Green Lane
Sutton
Surrey
SM1 2EY

Website:
www.suttonunited.net

By coach

The Cards Trust is running a coach. It leaves at 1.30pm. The cost for Trust members is £12 for adults and £6 for U16s accompanied by a paying adult (maximum of two per adult). The corresponding prices for non-members are £17 and £9. Ring (01483 772470) or email shop@wokingfc.co.uk or a.barn1572@btinternet.com .

By car

The AA recommended route is as follows. Head for M25. Leave at J9, taking A243 (Dorking). After about two miles take the A24 (C. London, Sutton, Epsom). About four miles later join the A232 (Sutton). Follow for about a mile and then, at St Dunstan’s Junction, turn left onto A217 (C. London, Wimbledon). After 350 yards turn right onto Alberta Avenue. Continue forward onto Frederick Road and, about 250 yards further on, turn left into Gander Green Lane. The AA estimates the journey time to be about 45 minutes.

Parking is much more limited than previously. There is no longer parking at the ground other than for those who have a reserved place and there are more restrictions in surrounding roads. But there is parking in town centre car parks, about 5-10 minutes’ walk away.

By train

West Sutton station is next to the ground. It is served by trains via Wimbledon or Sutton. The 13.02 and 13.32 trains from Woking would get you there at 14.01 and 14.31 respectively, both via a change at Wimbledon. Come out of West Sutton station and turn right into Gander Green Lane and the ground is about 100 yards further along.

ADMISSION PRICES

Adult: £15
Senior Citizen (60 and over)/Student: £8* 
Junior: (16 and under) £3
Stand Transfer: £2 
Programme: £2.50
*Valid student ID photocard required

COMING UP

The Cards have been drawn away to Torquay United in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on Saturday 15 October. The Cards Trust plans to run a coach, so book your place now! The next home league game is on Saturday 22 October when Barrow are the visitors.


Come on, you Cards!