Cards aiming for FA Trophy quarter-finals

Sutton United vs Woking
Buildbase FA Trophy
Saturday 6th February 2021

Woking will aim to reach the last eight of the FA Trophy for the first time in five years as they make the short trip to take on Sutton United on Saturday afternoon.

The Cards endured a miserable weekend last time out as they were thrashed 4-1 by an impressive Stockport County side, ending a three-match unbeaten run, which included a penalty shootout victory over Bromley in the last round of the Trophy. Alan Dowson’s side are without a win inside 90 minutes since the 19 December, which was also in this competition, against Dover Athletic. However, having played well in the competition so far, the Cards will be hopeful that they can upset the odds and continue on the road to Wembley.

Sutton have enjoyed a superb season so far and were rightly praised by Dowse in his Friday catch-up. They’re currently enjoying second place in the National League, with 34 points from just 18 games, nine points behind leaders Torquay United but with three games in and. Since the two sides met at the start of December, they’ve won five and drawn two of their nine games in all competitions, with the only defeats coming at the hands of a rejuvenated Chesterfield and at Hartlepool United at the end of last month. On Tuesday night they picked up an impressive 2-0 win at Stockport.

Woking – Team News

Dowse sprung a number of surprises with his team selection last week, shifting to a 5-3-2 formation, with Tyler Reid recalled at right-back and Jayden Wareham earning a first senior start. Most will expect the boss to revert to his preferred 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 today, although captain Josh Casey is likely to remain sidelined, following the shoulder injury he sustained against Maidenhead United. Further forward, Matt Jarvis and Dave Tarpey are unavailable, due to the artificial surface.

Sutton United – The Boss

Matt Gray was appointed as Sutton boss in May 2019 following the resignation of long-time stalwart Paul Doswell. Gray had already been at the club since the previous December as part of Doswell’s coaching team and has done a fine job since stepping into the top job, leading Sutton to a comfortable mid-table finish last season, before seemingly kicking on again this campaign. This is Gray’s first managerial position having previously had spells as an assistant manager at Eastleigh, Aldershot Town, and Crawley Town.

One to Watch

Midfielder Harry Beautyman, a former Woking trialist, is always a danger and has scored five goals already this season. He netted 15 last campaign, including two against the Cards, and was named in the National League team of the season. A two-time England C international, his career has also taken him to the Football League, where he’s featured for the likes of Stevenage, Northampton Town, and Peterborough United, following time with Welling United and a first spell at Sutton.

Last Time Out

Woking 0-1 Sutton United – National League (1st December 2020)

This was third against second at the time and the game played out as many would have expected given the respective league positions – a close fought game decided by a penalty in first-half stoppage time, controversially awarded, but expertly dispatched by Harry Beautyman. Woking might have snatched a point late on, but substitute Jayden Wareham was denied from close range. The Cards have lost their last four games against the U’s and haven’t won away at Sutton since a 5-0 win in August 2011.

Next Up

The Cards will be back at Sutton in just three days’ time for second league fixture between the teams. Next Saturday another challenging match awaits at home to league leaders Torquay United.