Cards aim to continue FA Cup run

Torquay United vs Woking
The Emirates FA Cup First Round
Saturday 10th November

The Cards will look to reach the second-round proper of the FA Cup for the third season in a row on Saturday as they travel to National League South rivals Torquay United.

Woking have enjoyed a fine recent record in the Cup; during Garry Hill’s final season in charge the Cards defeated this weekend’s opponents Torquay in a replay and comfortably beat Stockport County before going out to then League 2 side Accrington Stanley. Last season, under Anthony Limbrick, the Cards saw off Concord Rangers and, famously, League 1 side Bury before eventually going out to another League 1 side, Peterborough, on a third replay of the campaign.

Alan Dowson will be hoping to add his name to the club’s proud record in the competition by extending this year’s run which has already seen us defeat Tooting & Mitcham United, Kempston Rovers and Welling United. Torquay, with whom we played out a 2-2 draw at the same ground earlier this season, have reached this stage by beating Lymington Town (7-0), Brightlingsea Regent (3-0) and Winchester City (4-1). Managed by Gary Johnson, they currently sit in seventh place in the National League South, with 24 points from 15 games – four points less than the Cards. However, they are unbeaten in their last nine games in all competitions.

We are eagerly anticipating a large and vocal travelling support, with three coaches set to travel plus undoubtedly more fans making their way using different routes – we sincerely hope you all enjoy the game and that you can help propel the team to victory!

Woking Team News

For the first time in several weeks it appears that Dowse could have a near full-strength team to pick from so it will be interesting to see if he deviates significantly from the team which drew 2-2 with Chippenham Town last time out.

There has been some speculation that Berti Schotterl could be close to a recall in goal in place of Craig Ross, with the German getting plenty of minutes under his belt this week both in the mid-week friendly against Farnborough and as an emergency stand-in for Dowse’s former club Kingstonian in their 1-1 draw with Tonbridge Angels on Wednesday. In defence, the quartet of Nathan Collier, Josh Casey, Jack Cook and Ben Gerring feels relatively settled, although Ian Gayle should be available again after illness. Charlie Wassmer is now on loan at Leatherhead and won’t feature.

In midfield, Dowse should have Armani Little available again, with the Oxford United loanee an unused substitute in his parent club’s mid-week EFL Trophy win over Wycombe Wanderers. Max Kretzschmar is also pushing for a recall in the more advanced role after scoring twice against Farnborough on Tuesday and, whilst unlikely to feature on Saturday, it appears Christian Jolley is now close to returning to first-team action after a horrible few months out with a potentially career-threatening injury. It will be interesting to see whether any of the above are rushed back this weekend, particularly when academy graduate Charlie Hester-Cook and Nottingham Forest loanee Toby Edser have been doing a fine job of anchoring the midfield, with Greg Luer showing flashes of potential ahead of them.

Up front, Dowse should have a full compliment to pick from, with Nicky Wheeler hopefully recovered from a minor knock which saw him drop down to the bench last weekend and Harvey Bradbury also now back having got the last few minutes for Oxford on Tuesday. Jamar Loza, fresh from his goal scoring exploits last weekend, is also permitted to play having featured for the Cards already in this season’s competition.

Torquay United Team News

The Gulls have a very strong squad to choose from. For last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Billericay Town they went with Shaun MacDonald in goal; a back four of Ben Wynter, former Southampton full-back Ryan Dickson, Frenchman Jean-Yves Koué Niate and Newcastle United academy graduate Kyle Cameron; in midfield was experienced former Northampton and Oxford Untied man Liam Davis and Bristol City loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, whilst a dynamic front four included Ruairi Keating, another exciting French player in Kalvin Lumbombo Kalala, plus two-goal scorer Saikou Janneh, also on loan from Bristol City, managed by Johnson’s son Lee, and Jamie Reid who bagged a brace against the Cards back in September. Former Card Brett Williams came on as a late substitute.

Of the other former Woking players, neither Bobson Bawling or Jason Banton have featured for Johnson’s side for several weeks, with both quickly shipped out on loan following the new manager’s arrival. Bawling has been at Oxford City with Banton now at St Albans City.

On the Day

Plainmoor can be found on Marnham Road, a short walk from Torquay town centre; the postcode is TQ1 3PS - a drive of around three and a half hours from the Laithwaite Community Stadium. The nearest station is Torre Station – around a 20 minute walk from the stadium. Matchday ticket prices range from £13-£15 for adults, depending on the stand, and are £11 for concessions and £7 for under-18s. Those under the age of seven can go for free if accompanied by a paying adult. Away fans are traditionally situated in the Bristol Street Motors away terrace for which tickets can also be bought in advance on the Torquay website.

Next Up

The Cards are back in league action on Wednesday evening when we travel to Gloucester City. That’s followed by another away trip next Saturday when we go to Slough Town. Our next home league game is currently scheduled for the start of December against Dartford.