William Bewsey
10:43am, Fri 3rd Jan 2025
Woking vs Radcliffe
FA Trophy Fourth Round Proper
Tuesday 7th January 2025
19:45 Kick-Off
Woking will hope to progress into the fourth round of the FA Trophy for the first time since 2020 when they welcome National League North side Radcliffe FC to the Laithwaite.
Seven points from three games has been a strong start under the leadership of Neal Ardley, and with no league game until a trip to Yeovil next Saturday, attention turns to a competition that Woking are famous for.
Ardley hinted in his post match interview on New Year’s Day that he will be rotating the squad with games coming thick and fast, which could see the likes of Jamie Andrews, Dennon Lewis and Tom Leahy potentially return to the starting eleven after limited minutes thus far.
Opposition Watch
Managed by infamous ex Salford duo Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, Radcliffe FC were crowned champions of the Northern Premier League Premier Division last season after finishing ten points clear of favourites Macclesfield FC. Serial non league goalscorer Jordan Hulme fired 22 goals as Radcliffe were the only side in the division to eclipse the 100 goal mark.
Their first ever season in the National League North has been a challenge, with a relegation scrap firmly their main priority as they occupy the last relegation spot in 21st. However, a massive win in a six pointer over financially troubled Farsley Celtic has cut the deficit between the sides to three points, whilst Radcliffe have two games in hand on Farsley.
Hulme himself has six goals so far this season at the ripe age of 34, level with former Altrincham midfielder Josh Hancock and one ahead of Tunde Owolabi. Wins over Worksop Town and an impressive away win at Solihull Moors has got Radcliffe to this stage, so they will hope to add another step one scalp to their repertoire.
Around the Ground
Ticket information is available
here.
Please note that Victoria Way is shut with diversions in place, so we advise fans to leave plenty of time to get to the ground.
Gate access and stand closures
Gate 1 & 2 open only, Gate 4 will be closed.
The Seymours Community Stand will be CLOSED – seating in the Family Stand will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The KRE & Moaners Corner will also be open as usual.
Food & Drink
Food will be available in the Fan Zone only – both containers will be serving the same menus, so please make use of the shortest queue. Moaners Cafe will be closed.
Drink will be available in the Fan Zone; Cardinals Bar & the Legends Bar will be open to shareholders.
Did you know?
Unsurprisingly, these sides have never met, so here’s a fun fact about Radcliffe instead.
Former West Ham and current Wolves defender Craig Dawson was working in a local pub aged 16 when Radcliffe chairman Bernard Manning Jr approached him about playing for the club.
He made 95 appearances for the club, scoring 15 goals before joining Rochdale in 2009 for £12,000, and would earn the club even more in sell-on fees when he joined West Bromwich Albion in 2010.