Glen Harrington
12:00am, Tue 8th Dec 2020
Altrincham vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 8th December 2020
Woking will look to pick up a much-needed three points on Tuesday evening as they travel to take on a resurgent Altrincham in the National League.
The Cards more than held their own on Saturday against a strong Notts County side, goalkeeper Craig Ross keeping them in the game with his second penalty save of the season, but County’s pressure eventually tolled as Kyle Wootton, the man who missed the spot kick, grabbed a winner 10 minutes from time, consigning the visitors to their second straight 1-0 defeat. The result dropped Alan Dowson’s side to ninth in the table, one point behind their next opponents, albeit with a game in hand.
After a challenging start to the season, last season’s National League North play-off winners have won four of their last five league games to jump into the top seven. Wins over Chesterfield, Boreham Wood, Maidenhead United, and Wrexham – three of those without conceding – have shown that the Robins are more than up to the task of playing in non-league’s top tier. So, whilst their league position is arguably a little misleading – they’ve played more games than anyone in the division – they have definitely faired better than fellow play-off winners Weymouth, who sit in the bottom three.
Woking – Team News
The Cards will have concerns over top scorer Kane Ferdinand, who Dowse was forced to withdraw midway through the first-half against Notts County. His options in midfield include Tommy Block, an unused substitute again on Saturday, Nathan Collier, who started against Sutton United, and Max Kretzschmar, who could play deeper to allow either Dave Tarpey or Matt Jarvis a starting berth.
Altrincham – The Boss
Phil Parkinson will celebrate four years at Altrincham in April and has enjoyed a successful spell with the Robins. He earned promotion from the Northern Premier League at the first attempt in 2018, before back-to-back play-off campaigns in National League North, ending in promotion last season. He took previous club Nantwich Town to the play-off final in the NLP and an FA Trophy semi-final in 2016. Outside of football he is a Sport Science lecturer.
One to Watch
There aren’t a host of familiar names in the Altrincham squad but one recent signing to keep an eye on is striker Byron Harrison, who has just joined the Robins on a short-term deal. The veteran forward caught the eye playing for Barrow, where he netted 22 goals in 2016/17, before less successful spells at Barnet and Barrow again last season. He also has Football League experience with the likes of Stevenage, AFC Wimbledon, and Cheltenham Town.
Last Time Out
Altrincham 3-1 Woking – National League (26th January 2016)
A game that the Cards won’t look back on fondly. Michael Rankine gave the home side an early lead from the penalty spot before Josh Ginnelly doubled the advantage shortly before half-time. Giuseppe Sole pulled one back for the visitors before Jonathon Margetts wrapped up all three points. Woking won the reverse fixture earlier in the season 2-0 thanks to goals from Sole and Dan Holman.
Next Up
Woking are at home to Hartlepool United on Saturday when fans will be welcomed back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium. That’s followed – or at least is scheduled to be – by back-to-back cup games in the Surrey Senior Cup and the FA Trophy.
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