Injury-hit Cards face stern test against unbeaten Bromley

Bromley vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 24th September 2019

Woking travel to National League leaders Bromley on Tuesday evening as they look to overtake their hosts and return to the top of the table.

It’s been a challenging month for the Cards who extended a run of four successive draws with a point away to struggling Chorley on Saturday. It could have been worse too for Alan Dowson’s side who had to come from behind through Dave Tarpey and saw Ben Gerring sent off late on ahead of a frantic finish. An injury to winger Tyreke Johnson, who has been highly impressive since joining on loan from Southampton this summer, also won’t have done much to improve the mood in the Woking camp ahead of what is undoubtedly the team’s toughest test of the season so far. Despite problems with injuries and now suspensions, the Cards will take solace in the fact that their record-breaking unbeaten run has now reached double figures, whilst an eleventh game without defeat on Tuesday could see the team take another significant step towards establishing themselves at this level.

Bromley, managed by former Woking midfielder and captain Neil Smith, have enjoyed an equally impressive start to the new season – winning seven and drawing five of their opening 12 games – with Saturday’s 2-1 win over Notts County seeing them reach the head of the table for the first time. The Lilywhites have been particularly impressive at Hayes Lane where they have won four and drawn two of their first six games. Only Torquay and AFC Fylde have come away from Greater London with any points to show – drawing 3-3 and 2-2 respectively. They have, however, only kept three clean sheets so far this season and have conceded at least once in each of their last six matches – conceding two more in total than the Cards with the same number of goals scored.

It should be another great game this week and one that certainly promises goals! So please make the relatively short journey if you can and cheer on the team.

Woking Team News

Dowse will be forced to rotate his squad on Tuesday as injuries, fitness and suspensions come into play. At the back, Gerring will definitely be absent as he starts a three-match ban for his sending off against Chorley; Manny Parry, the natural replacement, could also be touch and go after colliding with the goalpost in the dying seconds of Saturday’s match. Should he not be available then Dowse will be left to choose between either Nathan Collier, Jack Cook – who could move inside from right-back – or Shaun Donnellan, fit again, who has been utilised in defensive positions at former club Maidstone. Captain Josh Casey will also needs to be careful as he is one yellow card away from a suspension.

In midfield, Godfrey Poku has also picked up four yellow cards so far this season, but should be available to continue alongside Kane Ferdinand. The boss also has new signing Christ Tiehi available should he want to add another defensive option – the Ivory Coast youth international officially joined the club on Monday following a successful trial. He was also one of the scorers in last week’s friendly win over Millwall’s Under-23 side.

Further forward, Max Kretzschmar is back as well, and could provide some much-needed attacking flair in the absence of Johnson, as well as Tarpey and Jake Hyde, who are unlikely to be risked on the artificial surface. Paul Hodges and the returning Jamar Loza will also be in the frame to start.

Bromley Team News

There are a number of names in the Bromley team who will be familiar to Woking fans – including one former Card, defender Chris Bush, as well as several other veterans of the non-league scene.

Against Notts County, Smith started with former Dagenham and Barnet keeper Mark Cousins in goal, with a defence made up of Joe Kizzi, one of the standout players for Billericay Town last season, Bush, Marc-Anthony Okoye, part of the Braintree Town promotion winning team of two seasons ago, and Sam Wood, who is in his second spell with the club following time in the Football League with Brentford and Wycombe Wanderers, as well as a year at Eastleigh.

In midfield was Frankie Raymond, a graduate of the Reading youth system who has also played at Eastbourne and Dagenham, Luke Coulson, who has impressed at the past for Eastleigh and Ebbsfleet, Billy Bingham, a summer addition from Football League side Gillingham, and Alfie Doughty who joined the club on loan from Charlton Athletic earlier this month. Up front was the dangerous Michael Cheek, who has had time at Dagenham, Ebbsfleet and Braintree, as well as Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, signed permanently from Charlton this summer and scorer of five goals already this season.

Substitutes on the day included club captain Jack Holland, Michael Klass, on loan from Southend United, Adrian Clifton, who excelled for Maidenhead United over the last two years, England C international Josh Rees who returned to the club this summer after a year with Gillingham, and recent loan signing Shawn McCoulsky, who scored the winning goal against Notts on his debut after joining from Forest Green Rovers.

Last Time Out

Woking 0-2 Bromley – National League (14th April 2018)

In the game which all but consigned Woking to relegation to the National League South, the Cards managed little more than a meek surrender against their superior opponents, who completed a routine double over their desperately disappointing hosts – matching the scoreline from the reverse fixture back in October. Jordan Higgs and Roger Johnson scored the goals either side of half-time whilst the home side had on loan goalkeeper Nathan Baxter to thank for keeping the damage to a minimum.

On the Day

The ground can be found on Hayes Lane; the postcode is BR2 9EF – a drive of around one hour from the Laithwaite Community Stadium. Bromley South Railway Station is located around a mile away from the ground. It is served by trains from London Victoria. It is around a 15-20-minute walk. On exiting the main entrance, turn left and walk down the High Street.

There is still room on the supporters’ coach which is running for the game and leaves from the ground at 4.30pm. Those travelling are requested to park in the Rear Car Park behind the KRE Stand as there will be no parking available in the front car park due to Sheerwater’s home match also taking place. Those looking to attend should contact Adam Bowyer (adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk) or call the club shop for more information.

Ticket prices are £18 for adults, £12 for concessions, £10 for students (aged 16-21) and £5 for under-16s. Tickets can also be bought online via the Bromley website for a discount – the offer remains open until 6.30pm on the night of the game.

Next Up

The Cards have consecutive home matches coming up as we take on Boreham Wood this coming Saturday followed by a match with Wrexham seven days later.