Cards aiming to end stellar year on a high against old foes Torquay

Torquay United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 28th December 2019

Woking make the familiar trip down to Plainmoor to face Torquay United on Saturday in what will be the Cards’ final competitive fixture of the 2019 calendar year.

The path down to Devon has become a well-trodden one for Woking fans over the last few years with Saturday’s fixture marking the fourteenth between the two teams since the start of 2015. Encouragingly, the Cards have a great record in the fixture in recent years, winning seven and drawing five of those last 13 match-ups, losing just once in what was Anthony Limbrick’s final game in charge back in April 2018. For Alan Dowson’s side, Saturday marks an early chance at redemption, following a desperately disappointing Boxing Day defeat at home to Sutton United. Performances like the one at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Thursday have been few and far between during 2019, a year in which almost everything has gone right for the Cards, and Dowse will no doubt be keen to utilise the quick turnaround to galvanise his players into bringing home all three points.

Torquay, who like Woking won an immediate promotion back to the National League at the end of last season, enjoyed a strong start to their National League campaign and found themselves in sixth place at the end of October – just five points off the top of the table. However, their form has fallen off the metaphorical cliff over the last two months, losing seven straight league matches, whilst also going out of the FA Cup at the hands of sixth tier Maidstone United. In fact, their only high point over the last few weeks has come in the FA Trophy, where they put five past our neighbours Aldershot in a big win. That seven-match league run has seen the Gulls concede 22 goals and plummet to 15th in the table, just four points clear of the bottom four, and seven adrift of the top seven. Last time out they were thrashed 6-2 by promotion chasing Yeovil Town. They still carry plenty of threat going forward, spearheaded by star striker Jamie Reid, and have been involved in a league-high 97 goals so far this year. With last season’s 3-3 draw still relatively fresh in the memory this could be one not to miss.

This might be a long trip off the back of the festive period but the team would really appreciate your support this weekend – so please make the journey if you can and cheer on the boys!

Woking Team News

After just one goal, a penalty, scored in the last two games, Dowse might be considering some more attacking options against the league’s weakest defence. Paul Hodges and Max Kretzschmar were second-half substitutes against Sutton, whilst Jake Gray and Ibrahim Meite offer other alternatives.

Defender Moussa Diarra is fit again after starting on Boxing Day and should line-up alongside former Torquay centre-back Ben Gerring.

Torquay United Team News

Against Yeovil, manager Gary Johnson selected Shaun MacDonald in goal; in defence was Ben Wynter, Kyle Cameron, a former Newcastle United academy graduate, Bristol City loanee Robbie Cundy, who was part of the Bath City side last season, and the experienced Lloyd James, who has Football League experience with Southampton, Colchester United, Leyton Orient and Exeter City.

In midfield was Asa Hall, a former Johnson player at Cheltenham who was last with Barrow, Matt Buse, Ben Whitfield, a recent addition from Port Vale who was with AFC Bournemouth in his teens, Jake Andrews, who was signed in the summer from Bristol City after a successful loan spell, and current Bristol City loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans. Up front was Jared Lewington. Reid missed the game through injury. He’s currently sidelined along with former Card Armani Little, he’s been out of action since October.

Last Time Out

Woking 1-1 Torquay United – National League (3rd September 2019)

The Cards’ six-match winning streak was brought to an end by Ben Whitfield’s late goal. Dave Tarpey had earlier given Woking the lead ten minutes after half-time. Midfield Godfrey Poku, who has been in fine form of late, was voted man-of-the-match.

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.

There will be a coach for supporters running for this game. Travelling fans should arrive by 8:45am for departure at 9:00am. The cost Is £35 for adults and £20 for those under-16. Cards Trust members receive a £5 discount per person.

Ticket prices are £17 for adults, £15 for concessions, £9 for under-18s and free for under-7s.

Next Up

Our first game of 2020 is the return match at Sutton United on New Year’s Day, with our next home game coming the following Saturday against Chorley.