WOKING v WEYMOUTH

Woking v Weymouth
7.45pm on Tuesday 4 September 2007

Make your way to Kingfield on Tuesday evening for what should be another interesting game, although it?s not likely to be as comfortable as our surprising 4-0 win here last season when we were fortunate to catch Weymouth at a bad time. The Terras had plenty of ?off the pitch? troubles last year but the signs are that the Club is now settling down under a new owner, and, in spite of an indifferent start, the squad looks pretty strong. It includes our old friend, Jefferson Louis ? assuming he hasn?t moved on again before then!

WOKING

Frank Gray will presumably have been heartened by Saturday?s display against Forest Green Rovers, though no doubt disappointed that the team did not hang onto the lead earned by Giuseppe Sole?s penalty. While a draw was not an unfair result, Woking had enough pressure in the second half to have gained all three points ? which is what we really need on Tuesday evening. Although we have only been beaten once in six games, we have only registered one win ? and draws soon have you slipping down the table.

A definite plus on Saturday was the encouraging debut by new signing, striker Carl Gibbs. It was a good all-round display, especially in the first half before tiredness seemed to get the better of him. He seemed to work well with his fellow attackers, holding the ball up in a way that Michael Charles had not been able to do, and bringing other people into the game. He also showed an eye for goal with at least one excellent shot. It was good too to see a very positive display from Matt Pattison in the second half: when he picks up the ball in midfield and runs at the opposition, he really does look the part ? and he has got a good shot on him too. There were lively displays as well from Giuseppe Sole and Goma Lambu. Giuseppe, though not quite as lethal with his shooting so far this season, is looking a more complete player: witness his superb pass to open up the Rovers? defence, which gained the penalty, and some determined tackling back to help out the defence. His greatest asset, though, seems to be his ability to pick the ball up in midfield and accelerate away from opposition players into dangerous positions.

Our defence continues to look sound and Bradley Quamina in midfield is looking a tremendous acquisition.

Subject to injuries, it would be surprising if Frank did not stick to much the same formation as on Saturday: we certainly contested the midfield better than we have done in recent games and we created many more attacks, especially in the second half.


WEYMOUTH

Weymouth started off last season as though they were intent on vaulting straight into the League but a financial ?meltdown? last autumn saw Garry Hill and many of his expensive squad depart. The Terras faltered as they drafted in a host of young players but steadied the ship to end in 11th place.

Player-manager Jason Tindall, son-in-law of the new owner, music promoter Mel Bush, has brought in his fair share of new faces in the summer. They include Marcus Browning as player/coach. Browning is a former Welsh international and has arrived from Bournemouth. Other arrivals include Justin Roberts, a 20 year-old defender from Nottingham Forest, who had a trial at Woking at one stage; Stuart Douglas, the former Luton Town forward who has also appeared for Dagenham and Redbridge and Crawley Town; midfielder Paolo Vernazza, previously with Arsenal and Watford before spells with Barnet, Rotherham and the Daggers; Sido Jombarti, a Portuguese midfielder; Scott Doe, a 19 year-old midfielder from Swindon Town; Jonathan Stewart, a 19 year-old keeper, also from Swindon Town; Kyle Critchell, a 20 year-old defender from Southampton, returning to his home town club; and of course Jefferson Louis, formerly with Cambridge, Woking, Stevenage, Lewes?etc etc.

The main departures in the summer were former Card, Raphael Nade, who?s joined Ebbsfleet United, and central defender Tony James, who?s moved to Burton Albion. Those re-signing include the experienced campaigners Trevor Challis, Nick Crittenden, Ashley Vickers and Simon Weatherstone.

Stuart Douglas is suspended for Tuesday?s game and Trevor Challis is still out injured. Jason Tindall has said that his front two of Jefferson Louis and Stuart Beavon will be even more of a handful when they improve their fitness levels.

SEASON SO FAR

The Terras kicked off with an opening day 2-1 home win over Halifax Town, with James Coutts and Anton Robinson on target. Two away defeats followed: 3-2 at Forest Green Rovers, although Weymouth did well to pull two goals back (from James Coutts and Simon Weatherstone) after being three goals adrift in 27 minutes, and 3-0 at Stevenage Borough. The Terras? next game was at home against Burton Albion, but the poor run continued, with a 2-1 defeat. Anton Robinson put them ahead but Stuart Douglas was sent off after half an hour. Ten-man Weymouth then conceded two goals before half-time. The Terras were reduced to ten men in their next game too, with Marcus Browning being sent off at Exeter City in the 0-0 draw on Bank Holiday Monday. Friday night?s game saw Weymouth grab another point in a 2-2 draw at home against Cambridge United. Jefferson Louis put the Terras ahead but the U?s bounced back with two goals before Jefferson equalised late on by forcing home the rebound from a penalty kick.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS

Last November the Cards enjoyed a 4-0 win at home over the Terras ? which came as a bit of a surprise after four successive league defeats. Giuseppe Sole opened the scoring from a free-kick and then Tom Hutchinson buried a header to put Woking 2-0 ahead at the break. Craig McAllister got the third after initially missing a penalty and Goma Lambu netted the fourth. In March we completed the double over Weymouth, gaining three vital points in a 3-2 win. The Cards were 2-0 down at half-time as a result of strikes from Raphael Nade and Simon Weatherstone but fought back superbly in the second half, with goals from Tom Hutchinson, Craig McAllister and another Giuseppe Sole ?special? to grab the win.


Come on, you Cards!