Cards look to make it three in a row

Hartlepool United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 17th February 2018

The Cards make their first ever trip to Victoria Park on Saturday to take on a struggling Hartlepool United side who are fighting for their lives as they seek to avoid successive relegations.

Despite being without an away league win since early October, Anthony Limbrick’s side will be confident of snapping that streak against the Monkey Hangers, who have been dogged by issues both on and off the field in recent weeks. The Cards also travel to the North East in good form having taken seven points from their last three games, including successive 1-0 home wins against AFC Fylde and last time out against Chester, when Josh Staunton’s heavily deflected effort bagged the hosts all three points.

Hartlepool currently sit just four points above the relegation zone and are without a win in any competition since November. Their miserable run, which has also included a shock FA Trophy exit to Northern Premier League side Workington, has coincided with well-documented financial troubles and has seen them slide steadily closer to the danger zone.

However, the Woking management team will no doubt be urging caution from their team, knowing full well that the Pools still have a number of talented players in their ranks and pushed a resurgent Eastleigh side hard in their last outing – eventually succumbing to a 4-3 defeat.

Safe travels to all our fans attending the game. Enjoy your day!

Woking Team News

The Cards may face a dilemma at right-back with Louis Ramsay still injured and Matt Young at least provisionally suspended following his controversial red card against Chester last weekend. Joey Jones could deputise as he did briefly on Saturday, whilst Josh Staunton and Jordan Wynter also have experience of playing at full-back, although the latter is still on the way back from injury. Richard Orlu and Nathan Ralph will expect to continue in their roles after Saturday’s clean sheet.

Chez Isaac was the man to miss out against Chester as the battle for midfield places intensifies. Damon Lathrope performed admirably on his first start for the club and could well keep his place alongside Kane Ferdinand and Charlie Carter; but after seeing his squad beset by injuries earlier in the season, Anthony and his team will no doubt be pleased to now have this kind of selection headache instead.

The exciting trio of Anthony Cook, Jason Banton and Reece Grego-Cox started together up front in each of the Cards’ last two games, with the former assisting both of the goals on route to recently being voted the Junior Cards’ ‘Player of the Month’ for January. Barring any injury worries it seems likely that the trio will continue to lead the line, with Jonny Edwards and Fabio Saraiva providing options from the substitutes’ bench.

Hartlepool Team News

Our hosts will be without their suspended captain Carl Magnay who was dismissed for two yellow cards against Eastleigh. With their game against Barrow having been called off last week due to a waterlogged pitch in Cumbria the full-back is yet to serve his ban.

Last time out they lined up with Scott Loach in goal, an experienced keeper who had a loan spell with York City last season but has also played for Watford and Ipswich Town amongst others; a back four of Magnay, former Coventry City and Notts County full-back Blair Adams, the long-serving Scott Harrison who was one of several players with the Pools in the Football League, and one-time Premier League centre-half Louis Laing; another Hartlepool veteran Michael Woods, who scored twice, started in midfield alongside fellow goalscorer Conor Newton who signed from Cambridge United last year; Nicky Deverdics, who has since joined promotion-chasing Wrexham, and Tomi Adeloye – who has also left the club – started on the flanks, whilst Nicky Featherstone played behind striker Jake Cassidy, who helped Guiseley avoid relegation from the National League last season.

Manager Craig Harrison, who is currently banned from signing new players due to the club’s financial plight, will be forced to make changes following the exits of Deverdics and Adeloye. Amongst those who could come in are former Manchester City youth-team striker Devante Rooney, midfielder Jack Munns, who was a key part of Cheltenham Town’s promotion from the National League in 2016, and academy graduate Josh Hawkes.

What the Boss Said

Anthony Limbrick on the upcoming game…

“We go into the game against Hartlepool after two good performances and back to back wins which has given the team confidence. However we know it is still a tough place to go and they are always strong in front of their own fans.�

Last Time Out

Woking 1-1 Hartlepool United (Saturday 30 September 2017 – Vanarama National League)

The Cards were looking to make it four wins on the spin after consecutive victories over Solihull Moors, Sutton United, and AFC Fylde. The home side fell behind mid-way through the first-half when Ryan Donaldson found the net with a free header. Jamie Philpot levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time and the hosts proceeded to enjoy the better of the game in the second-half. Inih Effiong came close to winning it at the death but his thunderous shot struck the crossbar and bounced clear.

On the Day

The Cards Trust will be running a coach to this game leaving from the Laithwaite Community Stadium at 7:30am on Saturday morning. Prices are £29 for members and £34 for non-members. Under 16’s will be charged at £15 and £17 respectively. If you would like to book a seat on the coach please email shop@wokingfc.co.uk.

For those travelling directly, the ground is located on Clarence Road, postcode TS24 8BZ. The nearest railway station is Hartlepool which is approximately half a mile from the ground. Full travel details can be found on the Hartlepool website or via our opposition guide, which is located under the ‘first team’ section of the menu.

Ticket prices for the game are £20 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for Under 16s. Under-5s are free. Tickets can be brought in advance via the Hartlepool website or on the day at the ground. Woking fans are advised to use turnstiles one and two for the Smith and Graham Stand, located next to the ticket office on Clarence Road, which will open at approximately 1:30pm. Payments can be made by cash or card, including contactless and Apple Pay. The ticket office will also be open from 10:00am for anyone wishing to purchase their ticket earlier in the day.

Next Up

The Cards will be back in action again on Tuesday evening as we travel to Ebbsfleet United. Our next home game is on Saturday week when we host a Boreham Wood side who have one eye on a play-off place following a fine run of form.