TUESDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2023
KICK OFF: 19:45
V. EBBSFLEET UTD
2023/24
#07
Matt RoBinSon
Greetings, and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium for this evening’s matchup between your Cards and our visitors from Ebbsfleet United.
For the mighty 120 that made the 500+ mile round-trip journey to Hartlepool on the weekend… that one was for you! What a great performance from the lads all around. From the opening whistle, we started brightly and earned all 3 points on the back of solid defending, a dominant midfield and great link-up play that ended in goals off the foot of Ricky Korboa.
For the mighty 120 that made the 500+ mile roundtrip journey to Hartlepool on the weekend… that one was for you!
We have had key players missing, yet despite the adversity and sometimes limited players available for selection, Darren and his team have continued to get the most out of every player in the squad. It’s a testament to the recruitment of the squad, and the character of our players which (by no coincidence) is part of the recruitment philosophy.
I can’t stress enough how your support – home and away – helps fuel their performance.
On Saturday, we are right back here at the Laithwaite Community Stadium as we host York City live in front of the TNT Sports cameras. Kickoff will be at 12:30pm and gates will open at 11:00am. Our much-anticipated Third Kit will make its debut for this special occasion.
Between tonight and the end of October, we will be playing 8 League matches and an FA Cup tie (let’s not think about a replay), which could total 10 matches across 42 days. No rest in sight as we make the short trip to Wealdstone a week tonight (26 September), and the long, arduous journey to AFC Fylde just a few days later.
In short order, our online shop will relaunch with a full line of kit and training ranges. Stop by the Club Shop to get your hands on the latest items, including player track suits and hoodies.
Always remember that the complaint (and compliment) line is always open. Just email me at john.katz@wokingfc.co.uk and we can take in your feedback. Or, as the kids say, you can slide into my DMs on Twitter at @jekatz33
Best,
JOHN KATZ CHIEF EXECUTIVEIn short order, our online shop will relaunch with a full line of kit and training ranges. Stop by the Club Shop to get your hands on the latest items, including player track suits and hoodies.
Find out our plans for your area: footballfoundation.org.uk
final at Meadowbank, a stoppage time equaliser and then an extra time winner saw Dorking go up at the expense of the Fleet, but a record breaking season last year saw them pick up 103 points as they stormed to the title.
19th September 2023
19:45 Kick-Off
Woking will look to continue their five game unbeaten run when they welcome last season's National League South champions Ebbsfleet United to the Laithwaite on Tuesday night.
After a hugely impressive performance on Saturday at Hartlepool United, Darren Sarll may wish to rotate in certain areas with four games in the next 12 days. Jermaine Anderson made his first start of the season at Victoria Park, and midfield options such as Matt Robinson and Robbie Willmott could be considered, whilst in defence, the likes of Greg Taylor and new signing Timi Odusina will hope to find themselves in the starting XI.
Ticket pricing and other details are available here
Live UEFA Champions League football will be screened in Cardinals Bar pre-match, with happy hour pricing running on Madri, Carling and Cold River Cider.
Since an unfortunate relegation on points per game following the curtailed 2019/20 season, Ebbsfleet found themselves unfortunate to not go up at effectively the first time of asking in 2021/22; of course the 2020/21 National League South season was null and voided just after the turn of the year. Despite being 2-1 up with just seconds left in the 2022 National League South playoff
As a result, German manager Dennis Kutrieb has put his trust in many of the players that took the Fleet up to carry that momentum on in the fifth tier, with fairly limited transfer business. However, the signings of former EFL players Ouss Cisse and David Amoo show the ambition in this part of Kent, as well as regular Walsall starter Hayden White. One to watch is definitely Dom Poleon; the former Leeds man has an amazing 62 goals in 93 league appearances since joining in 2020. That includes 7 in 7 appearances so far this season, to carry on from his 36 goals last season. Amongst the Fleet ranks is also former Woking loanee Toby Edser.
However, despite an impressive start to life back in the National League, Ebbsfleet have suffered back to back defeats at the hands of Wealdstone and Chesterfield, having won four and lost five of their opening nine games. They've scored 15 and conceded 13 so far this season.
Woking's rotten record at the Kuflink Stadium saw them beaten 2-1 despite a Jake Hyde penalty in January 2020, whilst the relegation bound Fleet had the better of the Cards in the FA Cup, knocking Woking out 1-0 at the Laithwaite in October 2019 after a 1-1 draw in Kent.
Since 2012, Ebbsfleet have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Cards, winning just two of their last ten meetings, with the Fleet victorious on five occasions. Woking's last win came in November 2017, when an Inih Effiong goal was enough for a 1-0 win at the Laithwaite.
Ticket pricing and other details are available here.
Live UEFA Champions League football will be screened in Cardinals Bar pre-match, with happy hour pricing running on Madri, Carling and Cold River Cider.
Adults: £20
Concession: £15
Next-Gen (17-22): £12
Under 17 (14-16): £8
Under 14 (13 & under): £5
Prices will increase on the turnstile and supporters are encouraged to purchase in advance.
Home supporters can purchase tickets here. Away supporters can purchase tickets here
Click here for information on gate opening times, food and drink facilities, the Club shop and other ticketing information.
DISABLED SUPPORTERS
Click here for more information.
OTHER INFORMATION
Supporters needing assistance with booking tickets can call the office on 01483 967 229, or visit between 10:00 – 16:00, Monday - Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Kingfield Road turnstiles – blue and yellow entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, unless otherwise stated.
Westfield Avenue turnstiles - red and orange entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kickoff, unless otherwise stated.
Away supporter turnstiles - white entry opens two hours before kick-off, unless stated otherwise.
Supporters who have purchased a hospitality package will have green entry and should enter through the Guest Entrance, Kingfield Road.
Supporters are reminded to arrive at the Laithwaite Community Stadium in good time, and are not guaranteed to gain entry in time for kick-off when arriving less than 30 minutes before kick-off.
The Cardinals Bar is located at the front of the stadium.
The bar has full draught and bottle beer options. The Fan Zone is the newest addition for supporters and is located opposite the Cardinals Bar.
Moaners Corner Café is located next Moaners Corners Stand, with hot and cold drinks, plus snacks available. The Seymours Community Stand has hot food options and a last lane for beverages.
The Club Shop is open two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, located by the Fan Zone. The shop is also open Mon - Fri, 10:00 - 16:00, upon check-in at reception.
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www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk
Ebbsfleet United Football Club was born as Gravesend & Northfleet, a merger of two existing neighbouring clubs – Gravesend United and Northfleet United. Both had been playing football in the area since the 1890s, with Northfleet in particular notable as a Tottenham nursery side in the 1930s.
The newly merged club formed in April 1946, moving into Northfleet’s superior facilities at their Stonebridge Road ground, with most of the directors coming from Gravesend United. The Fleet played their first ever game on 31 August 1946, against Hereford United, and ran out 3-0 winners in front of over 5,000 fans. Despite lofty ambitions and full-time investment, the Fleet teams of the Forties and early Fifties yielded only two Kent Senior Cups and it was not until 1957-58 that the club tasted league success, with manager Lionel Smith’s starstudded and attacking side claiming the
Southern League title and scoring 135 league and cup goals along the way. But the success did not last, and financial concerns meant that the Sixties were a torrid time for Fleet fans. Nevertheless, during this period the club enjoyed their best ever FA Cup run when they reached a fourth round replay at Sunderland, setting an existing record of five months as the longest cup run of any team in the long history of the competition.
Relegation and promotion seasons came and went, notably in 1967 when the entire Board resigned en masse, leaving the club with nothing but a ground and considerable debts. Things picked up after Tony Sitford’s appointment as manager in 1974, and the Fleet duly won the Southern Division title in 1974-75.
Despite a hoped-for Premier Division title challenge over the next few years, consolidation instead followed. A brief title challenge was mounted in 1976-77, and the Fleet did take home the Southern League Cup that season, following victory over Weymouth in the final.
Fleet’s decent showing over the next two season meant they qualified as founder members of the newly created Alliance Premier League (later Conference) in 1979-80, finishing an excellent fifth in its inaugural season.
But the Eighties spelled more hard times for the club and relegation followed in 1981, and a further relegation to the Southern Division in 1985-86 meant Fleet were back in the doldrums of non-league football. Having almost gone to the wall as financial problems beleaguered the club, a group of directors under new chairman Lionel Ball rescued the Fleet and were rewarded with a promotion back to the Premier Division in 1988-89 and a best-ever FA Trophy run, with two Conference scalps claimed along the way. Following relegation once again in the early Nineties, the Fleet won the Southern Division by a
country mile in 1993-94, with hot-shot goalscorer Steve Portway netting goals for fun.
Another cup run followed in 1995-96, Fleet playing 10 games to reach Round 3 and lose out 3-0 to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
In May 1997, the club transferred to the Ryman Premier Division in an effort to cut travelling distances and reduce costs, and after a few seasons in mid-table, came from nowhere under manager Andy Ford to land the Ryman League Championship in 2001-02, following a nervous and titanic struggle with Canvey Island, which saw the two meet at Stonebridge Road in April 2002 in front of an official 4,068 (but probably more like 6,000) fans.
Back in the top-flight of non-league football, the Fleet had a few narrow brushes with relegation, with Andy Ford stepping down in January 2005. New manager Liam Daish oversaw a move to full-time football and made slow but steady progress. 2007 was the year it all changed for the Fleet. First, in May, 61 years after the formation of
Gravesend & Northfleet, the club announced a change of name to Ebbsfleet United to take advantage of the massive regeneration of their locality. Then in November 2007, it was announced that the club was to be taken over by internet venture MyFootballClub.co.uk, a revolutionary idea involving paid members owning the club, voting on decisions, and picking the team, a deal that was ratified in February 2008.
On the footballing side of things, the Fleet enjoyed their most memorable moment in more than six decades, clinching victory in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, a 1-0 win over Torquay United in front of 40,186 proving enough to take home the silverware.
With hopes high for 2008-09 and the club’s highest-ever playing budget voted on by MyFC members, the eventual league position of 14th was disappointing while defence of the FA Trophy fell just short of another trip to Wembley, the Fleet edged out by Stevenage Borough at the semi-final stage.
With the fall in MyFC membership in February 2009, Fleet faced an uncertain future, releasing almost their entire first-team squad. Liam Daish remained as manager and rebuilt a squad that almost, heroically, defied the odds but fell to relegation on the final day of the 2009-10 season. The manager was forced to rebuild again in 2010-11 as the club embarked on its first season at a lower level in nearly a decade and once more the manager proved his talent for assembling a squad as Fleet unexpectedly won promotion back to the Premier Division at the first attempt. It came courtesy of a third-place finish in the league and a 4-2 win at Farnborough in the play-off final.
Returning to the Conference Premier for the 2011-12 season, the club finished a creditable 14th in their first season back in non-league’s top flight. The following season, however – despite much initial optimism – saw the Fleet struggle to compete and a relegation that looked inevitable from early on was confirmed in April 2013, Fleet finishing second bottom of the division, a long
way adrift of safety. Off-field matters dominated, with several appeals for investment throughout the season until fans were faced with the very real threat of the club closing or taking voluntary demotion down the non-league Pyramid.
In May 2013, a purchase proposal from a Kuwaiti company, KEH Sports Ltd, was put to MyFC who voted to sell their interests in the Fleet and so began a new era for the club as it pulled back from the brink of closure. KEH – with former Charlton CEO Peter Varney as vice chair – began an immediate ground restoration programme, with the long overdue replacement of two roofs at Stonebridge Road and refurbishment of the entire stadium. Ex-Charlton defender Steve Brown replaced Liam Daish, his record-breaking eightyear term ended by mutual consent, with exCharlton manager Steve Gritt as assistant, while KEH promised a competitive transfer budget in a bid to propel the Fleet back towards the Conference Premier. That season Fleet were just pipped to promotion by Dover Athletic, losing the promotion final 1-0 though they did pick up the Kent Senior Cup at the same opposition’s expense. With promotion still very much a target, former Welling United boss Jamie Day took over in mid-season 2014/15. His considerable shake-up of the squad didn’t quite produce the desired effect and although Fleet reached the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy, they dropped away badly in the league to finish 8th. Former club skipper Daryl McMahon was handed the manager’s reins in time for the 2015/16 season and began with a bang, winning 10 of his first 11 matches in charge. Fleet led the league for eight months of the season but were pipped to the title by Sutton United and lost a second promotion final, this time to Maidstone United, on penalties. There was no mistake in 2016/17 with Fleet getting over an indifferent start to remain unbeaten throughout 2017. Despite amassing 96 points, Fleet were just beaten to the title by Maidenhead United on 98 points, but erased the previous season’s play-off heartache by coming from behind with 10 men to overhaul Chelmsford City 2-1 in the final and spark joyous
celebrations at the club. Off the field, the club demolished the Liam Daish Stand in 2016 to build a new £5m Main Stand, and changes at the Plough End behind the goal soon followed to incorporate a hotel during 2018/19, as the Fleet sought to redevelop the entire site for the benefit of the club and local community.
In their first season back at National League level, the club reached the play-offs for the first time with a remarkable run in the final 14 games to finish in sixth place, their second-highest finish ever, and they progressed to the semi-finals, defeating Aldershot in a remarkable penalty shootout before succumbing only after extra-time to eventual winners Tranmere Rovers. Daryl McMahon departed the club after three-and-a-half years in charge in November 2018, making way for the appointment of the experienced Garry Hill who oversaw a major reshaping of the squad amid a financial restructuring off the pitch. But with Fleet rooted to the bottom in his second season, Hill parted ways with the club in October 2019, to be replaced by his assistant Kevin Watson who gained sufficient points to see the Fleet climb out of the drop zone by March 2020. That, however, coincided with the global Covid pandemic and Fleet were one of only three clubs to be relegated on points per game, a total of 0.02 points difference deemed enough to send them down.
Fleet headhunted new boss Dennis Kutrieb from Germany in the summer of 2020, who came with an excellent reputation as a go-ahead coach and had just won promotion with Tennis Borussia Berlin. He recruited a whole new side and in 2021/22 – the club’s 75th anniversary season – the Fleet finished in third place, making it to the promotion final where despite taking the lead in time added on, a late equaliser and subsequent extra-time goal denied the club promotion.
The manager and his squad weren’t to be denied a return to the National League for much longer, however, and the Fleet romped home to the National South title in 2022/23, racking up a club
record and league-record-equalling 103 points. Goals scored totalled 110, shattering another 65-year-old club record and top scorer Dominic Poleon fired 38 goals in all competitions to win the Golden Boot and become the Fleet’s most prolific goalscorer of the 21st century.
Age: 43
Previous Clubs: TuS
Makkabi Berlin, VSG Altglienicke, Tennis Borussia
Berlin
Very highly regarded coach recruited from the Berlin football scene by the Fleet in June 2020. As a player, Kutrieb operated in an attacking role for clubs including Tennis Borussia Berlin (TeBe), BFC Dynamo, Rot Weiß Oberhausen and Ludwigsfelder FC.
He moved into coaching, first finding success with VSG Altglienicke, who he took from the Berlin League to the fourth-tier Regionalliga Nordost. His next move was back to TeBe, who he led to the Berlin Cup Final and second position in the league in 2018/19. In 2019/20, he topped the tough fifth-tier NOFV-Oberliga Nord with TeBe when Covid shut the season down, with the club later confirmed as champions and promoted to the fourth tier – a third promotion in a short period for the manager. That alerted the Fleet to his talents and Kutrieb eagerly accepted a move to England as the next step in his management career, taking charge of his first season in the abandoned campaign of 2020/21. Noted for playing attractive, fast-flowing and attacking football, Kutrieb has implemented his favoured style on the Fleet since taking over as boss. In 2021/22, he took the Fleet to within a minute of promotion in the National South final and the following season broke several records en route to the league title which the Fleet won by 20 points.
Age: 30
Number: 14
Position: Forward
Former clubs: Chelsea youth, Southend United youth, Leeds United (initially youth), Bury (loan), Sheffield United (loan), Oldham Athletic, AFC Wimbledon, Bradford City, Crawley Town, Newport County, Dover Athletic (loan)
Experienced, exciting forward who has played more than 200 matches in the EFL, he signed for the Fleet in February 2021 and has gone on to become the club’s most prolific scorer of the century. An ex-Chelsea and Southend United youth player, he was the leading scorer in Leeds United’s U18s before turning out 36 times for the Whites across three seasons in the Championship from 2012-15. Away from Elland Road, he spent four years in
League One with Bury and Sheffield United on loan and then permanently with Oldham Athletic, AFC Wimbledon and Bradford City. An undisclosed fee took him on to Crawley Town on a two-year deal in 2018/19 after which he spent time with Newport County and Dover Athletic. A very pacy centre-forward who can also play wide, he scored two goals in his opening three games for the Fleet and has maintained a superb scoring record ever since.
In 2022/23, he was league top scorer with 36 goals, breaking several club records as he formed a devastating partnership with his good friend and teammate Rakish Bingham. Up to the end of last season, the Fleet had won all but one game in which Poleon had scored and it was no surprise to see him crowned Supporters’ and Players’ player of the year. This season he has continued his prolific goalscoring form with seven goals in his first seven league appearances. He has recently been on international duty with St. Lucia, featuring twice and scoring a hat-trick against Sint Maarten.
Jon Woozley looks back at the history of today’s fixture, beginning with matches against Ebbsfleet’s predecessors, Gravesend & Northfleet. Although Gravesend & Northfleet date back to 1946, they would more commonly be seen five miles down the road at Joseph’s Road, home of Guildford City, until 1974 that is. They were members of the Southern League, all the way through to becoming founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979/80. The Fleet lasted three seasons before being relegated back to the Southern League. Another fifteen seasons followed before they switched to the Isthmian League in 1997, by then however Woking had gained promotion to the Conference. It wasn’t until 2001/02 that Gravesend won the Isthmian League and returned to the top level of non-league football so in 2002 league combat commenced for the first time.
In all those previous 56 years the clubs were only drawn together once, in the 1977/78 FA Trophy 1st round. Woking had won a match in the FA Trophy at the fourth attempt, making it through three
qualifying rounds to the 1st round proper for the first time. The Cards were drawn at home, and a game of ‘few chances for either side’ resulted in a goalless draw. Three days later at Stonebridge Road, Woking ‘were made to regret the number of scoring chances missed when the Southern League side won the replay with two first half goals’.
Fast forward to September 2002 and an unbeaten, top of the table Woking hosted newly promoted Gravesend in a first ever league clash. Two minutes in and Patmore put the leaders ahead. However, by the hour mark Che Stadhart had scored a hattrick, turning the game on its head. A Ben Abbey penalty and a late Woking rally were not enough to save a point and the unbeaten record ended for another season. This was the first game of “Black September”, and by the time of the return game in Kent, in February, both clubs were in a relegation battle. Woking twice fought back to draw level but succumbed to a 2-4 reverse. Those six points helped the Fleet stay up by two points, a point
ahead of Woking who stayed up on the last day with three results going their way.
The following season Woking turned full time, with the financial backing of Chris Ingram, and in their first home league game Glenn Cockerill’s Cards managed to beat Gravesend for the first ever time. A ‘dominating’ 3-2 win with goals coming from Jefferson Louis and Amos Foyewa. Just before Christmas 2003 Woking gained their first away point at Stonebridge Road sharing four goals. Both clubs secured top half finishes.
In 2004/05 a gutsy performance earned another away point. A Raphael Nade miskick gave Woking the lead, before a clumsy Foyewa challenge gave away a penalty for the equaliser. In April, Woking were faltering in the play-off race, with two games remaining the Cards were two points behind a play-off place after three consecutive defeats. Gravesend had announced that they were going full-time and were safely placed in midtable. The Cards ran out 2-0 winners, with goals from Justin Richards and Raphael Nade in the first half hour, but missed out on the play-offs.
In Summer 2005, Woking lost three influential players to Football League clubs, and the defence suffered the following season, leading to a mediocre season. Half of Gravesend’s squad were now full-time, and new manager Liam Daish’s side completed a league double over Woking in 2005/06, in an otherwise unspectacular league campaign. An FA Trophy Final appearance probably saved Cockerill’s job. The following season with the Fleet now full time, they made a charge for the play-offs, just missing out by four points. Meanwhile the Cards maintained mid-table mediocrity under a reducing annual budget, as the Chairman’s attention turned increasingly away from the football side to the Holdings company. The Fleet had signed a young defender called Mark Ricketts in the summer, after being released by Charlton Reserves. An early season one-goal win for the Fleet was followed up with a draw at Kingfield, Gez Sole scoring twice for Woking in front of 851 attendees, their second lowest ever Conference crowd at the time. The
lowest, 692, came in May 1994. In the summer of 2007 Gravesend changed their name to Ebbsfleet United after agreeing a shirt sponsorship deal with Eurostar, in a bid to promote the Ebbsfleet International station. New signings at that time were Raphael Nade, who Woking had sold to Carlisle two years earlier, and Gary McDonald. Frank Gray was appointed Manager of Woking in the Summer and recruited a younger squad due to a smaller budget. In November ‘Websfleet’ visited Kingfield, two weeks after the website MyFootballClub had entered into a deal to take over the club. Woking ended a run of seven league matches without a home win, live on Setanta, thanks to an early Matt Pattison goal to relieve some pressure on new manager, Frank Gray. The curse of the ‘ex’ nearly applied itself, but a linesman’s flag ruled out Nade’s equaliser. In the return game Gez Sole scored a last-minute equaliser to gain an unlikely point, but Ebbsfleet finished sixteen points ahead of the Cards, in 11th place, and won the FA Trophy for the first time.
In 2008/09, Woking had financial worries with Chris Ingram further reducing his funding of Woking. In September, Woking were already on their second manager of the season when they visited Stonebridge Road. Ebbsfleet comfortably won the initial league meeting with two quick second half goals, maintaining their unbeaten league record. The clubs were then drawn together in the FA Cup. Woking were two goals up at half-time, before two second half penalties forced a replay. Once Fleet had gained a draw at Kingfield it was inevitable that they would win through to play Crewe, as Woking had never won at Stonebridge Road, and so it proved. In the return league match in January, in front of the Setanta cameras, Woking took a 1-0 lead through Joel Ledgister and this time held on to it, their first league win at Kingfield since September. Gez Sole, who did not play in the game, was immediately loaned to Ebbsfleet after the game for the rest of the season. Although the win lifted the Cards out of the relegation places, they eventually succumbed to the drop and after seven consecutive seasons the rivalry was put on hold.
Ebbsfleet were narrowly relegated a year after Woking, and with the Cards failing in the play-offs at Bath City, the duel was resumed at the lower level for 2010/11 season. Both teams acquitted themselves well during the season and qualified for the play-offs. Gary Hill’s Woking were in a purple patch for the league meeting at Kingfield in March, it was 3-0 within half an hour. This was the Cards seventh league victory in a row during their late charge for the play-offs. A final day draw at Stonebridge Road meant both clubs were kept apart in the play-offs. While Woking could not get past Farnborough, Ebbsfleet sunk them in the final to gain promotion at the first attempt. The contest between the clubs was only deferred for one year as Woking romped to the Conference South title in the 2011/12 season, while Ebbsfleet consolidated in mid-table in the division above. In 2012/13 Ebbsfleet struggled to compete on and off the pitch, finishing second bottom, a long way adrift of safety. Woking were comfortably in midtable but despite gaining four points from the Fleet, that elusive away win was still not forthcoming. Sandwiched in-between those games, Ebbsfleet knocked Woking out of the FA Cup for the second time in five years, with a last-minute winner, going on to play Carlisle this time.
The teams did not meet again for four years. The clubs were drawn together in a cup competition for the fourth time, this time in the FA Trophy 1st round again. Despite Woking being a division higher, they were struggling, and the same outcome meant that Ebbsfleet progressed for a fourth time, after a replay. In the league, Ebbsfleet went on to defeat Alan Dowson’s Hampton, and Chelmsford, to gain promotion.
In November 2017, a high-flying Woking secured a 1-0 home victory thanks to Inih Effiong. The win left Woking in eighth place, however only three further league wins that season saw the Cards plummet down the division, suffering a second relegation. On the way, Ebbsfleet gained revenge in the return game.
The Cards bounced straight back via the play-offs the following season, and with Ebbsfleet finishing just outside the play-offs, the teams met again in 2019/20. At Kingfield, ‘top of the table’ Cards built up a two-goal lead against Garry Hill’s Ebbsfleet team, and missed a penalty, before, with only seven minutes left Ebbsfleet grabbed two quick goals to share the points. Five weeks later the clubs played in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying round at Stonebridge Road, Garry Hill had been sacked in
the meantime and Kevin Watson welcomed the Cards. Having never won there the best Woking could hope for was a draw, and a dubious lastminute penalty enabled the Cards to get exactly that. Unfortunately, a disappointing display in the replay saw Alex Reid grab the only goal for a fifth cup success against the Cards, to put Fleet through to play Notts County. In late January Woking had the perfect chance to end the Stonebridge Road hoodoo, Fleet were deep in trouble, ten points from safety, and missing exCards Jack King and Josh Payne, while the Cards were still on the verge of the play-offs. In the second half a needless push on Alex Wall resulted in Jake Hyde giving Woking the lead from the penalty spot. Only twenty minutes were left, could the duck be broken? Ebbsfleet brought on Tomi Adeloye for ex-Card John Goddard, he promptly equalised and then scored a last-minute winner to give Fleet their first league win for two months, so the jinx continued. Two months later the season was curtailed due to Covid, Ebbsfleet found themselves relegated for a third time, on goal difference from Maidenhead after an equal points per game record.
Ebbsfleet’s season was declared null and void in 2020/21 as the National League South was cancelled in February 2021. The following season, 3rd placed Ebbsfleet were winning the play-off final in injury time at Dorking before suffering a very late equaliser, then losing in extra-time. However, they romped to the title by twenty points last season to re-join Woking in the National League’s top division.
Steve Perkins, Kim Grant, Raphael Nade, Gary MacDonald, Ben Abbey, Mark Ricketts, Giuseppe Sole, Neil Barrett, Paul Lorraine, Craig McAllister, Garry Hill, Aswad Thomas, Jack King, Gozie Ugwu, John Goddard, Frankie Sutherland, Robbie Willmott
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WOMEN'S REPORT
The game's first chance fell to the Cards after a deflection found captain Kaitlin Howard at the back post, but despite her stretched leg, she just missed the ball.
Sunday 17th September
Back-to-back league defeats against AFC
Portchester saw Woking still yet to get points on the board this season. Two goals on either side of the half were enough on the day for the visitors.
Arguably the best chance came when Sheena Nichol found Charlotte Keenan with a great forward pass and played her through one versus one, but the former’s effort was brilliantly saved. The Royals’ first moment followed shortly after when they hit the post from a direct corner before the ball was eventually cleared.
The opposition were growing into the game with confidence and tried their luck with much quicker passes. They had a great chance to go in front after splitting the defence, but Laura Mitchell stood her ground and intercepted the ball with a perfect tackle inside the box.
However, just three minutes later, AFC Portchester took the lead after a cross towards the back post evaded the Woking defence and found their number 9 who tapped home.
It should be noted that the entirety of the first half was played in quiet treacherous conditions and at times it was impossible to hear anything on the pitch other than the downpour of rain. Therefore, this made it a lot harder to communicate with one another on the pitch.
A change at half-time saw young 16-year-old Gracie Price replace Alicia Christie in midfield as the Cards looked to get back on level terms. Another substitution followed later on, this time it was Gaby Hobday replacing Efrosyni Theocharous.
On the hour mark, despite the little action, the visitors doubled their lead after beating debutant Amy Jenkins in goal. A shot from the left-hand side found its way into the bottom right corner after it initially wriggled past two defenders.
Sophie Burgess came on for her first appearance of the season after replacing Fran Cotter at the back and this saw a few movements elsewhere across the pitch.
There were little and far between chances for both sides in the second half, but after finding space outside the box, Sheena took on one of her customary long-range efforts, however, she was unable to really test the goalkeeper as it was caught well.
Sian Hardaker was another player to register her first appearance of the season as she replaced Bianca Underhill with 15 minutes to go. Then five minutes later Woking made their fifth and final sub as Trudy Bryan-Kerr replaced Keenan in their final through of the dice.
With time running out, Portchester nearly added a third but a great stop from Amy prevented it from happening, as she got down low to make a fantastic save.
To some up the day, Sheena had a free kick from around 35 yards out beat the wall but saw her effort punched over the bar by the ‘keeper, in what was the last chance before the referee called time.
Despite the two league defeats, it’s difficult to evaluate the position of the team amongst others in the league as they’ve faced the same opposition twice. AFC Portchester have shown they will be a team near the top come the end of the season and for Woking it’s now about turning their attention the next Sunday’s travels, as they’ll face Eastleigh in the Community Ladies Reserves.
Woking Starting XI: Jenkins, Boddy, Underhill (73), Mitchell, Cotter (63), Nichol, Ogle, Theocharous (56), Howard, Keenan (80), Christie (46)
Subs: Burgess (63), Hobday (56), Bryan-Kerr (80), Hardaker (73), Price (46)
Attendance: 33
Player of the Match: Laura Mitchell
Woking Football Club is proud to announce the launch of a hidden disability initiative for matchdays at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
Globally, one in six of us live with a disability. Whilst some disabilities are visible, many have non-visible disabilities that are not immediately apparent to others; the most widely known being Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Without a visual cue, it can be difficult for others to identify, acknowledge, or understand the daily barriers faced by people living with an invisible disability. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone with a non-visible disability or condition genuinely needs support.
There will be a stall within the Fan Zone at this Saturday's fixture against Solihull Moors for supporters to access further information about the programme, raise awareness, and ask any questions.
The Cards Trust has kindly provided 100 sunflower lanyards that will be made available free of charge to any supporters or their carers that request one, to help encourage inclusivity, acceptance and understanding. The lanyards will first be available within the Fan Zone and then from the club shop and reception.
A sunflower suggests happiness, positivity, and strength as well as growth and confidence. The lanyards are universally known and supporters will already be aware of their promotion at airports, railway stations, shopping centres and more.
AUGUST
Sat Aug 05 Kidderminster Harriers
Sat Aug 12 Altrincham
Tue Aug 15 Rochdale
Sat Aug 19 Barnet
Sat Aug 26 Gateshead
Mon Aug 28 Dorking Wanderers
SEPTEMBER
Sat Sept 02 Maidenhead United
Sat Sept 09 Solihull Moors
Sat Sept 16 Hartlepool United
Tue Sept 19 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Sept 23 York City
Tue Sept 26 Wealdstone
Sat Sept 30 AFC Fylde
OCTOBER
Tue Oct 03 FC Halifax Town
Sat Oct 07 Southend United
Sat Oct 14 TBC
Sat Oct 21 Dagenham & Redbridge
Tue Oct 24 Eastleigh
Sat Oct 28 Bromley
NOVEMBER
Sat Nov 11 Oxford City
Sat Nov 18 Oldham Athletic
Tue Nov 21 Chesterfield
Sat Nov 25 Boreham Wood
DECEMBER
Sat Dec 02 Gateshead (FAT R3)
Sat Dec 09 TBC
Sat Dec 16 Dorking Wanderers
Sat Dec 23 Maidenhead United
Tue Dec 26 Aldershot Town
JANUARY
Mon Jan 01 Aldershot Town
Sat Jan 06 Solihull Moors
Sat Jan 20 Oxford City
Tue Jan 23 Chesterfield
Sat Jan 27 Oldham Athletic
FEBRUARY
Sat Feb 03 Boreham Wood
Sat Feb 10 Hartlepool United
Sat Feb 17 FC Halifax Town
Tue Feb 20 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Feb 24 Wealdstone
MARCH
Sat Mar 02 Kidderminster Harriers
Sat Mar 09 Altrincham
Tue Mar 12 Rochdale
Sat Mar 16 Barnet
Sat Mar 23 Southend United
Fri Mar 29 Eastleigh
APRIL
Mon Apr 01 Bromley
Sat Apr 06 Dagenham
The Cards Trust (Cardinals Supporters Society) has worked with the Club to represent fans for more than a decade. The Trust is a shareholder of the Club (and owns around a quarter of it) and has a representative on the Board to put forward the fans’ views.
Supporters can join The Cards Trust for just £10 per year. Information about joining is on the Trust website.
An initiative to help the Club’s playing budget with regular contributions. More than £200,000 has gone to the Club throughout the scheme.
A prize draw with twelve draws per year. Around £20,000 has been given to support the Club and more than £12,000 in prizes.
The prize draw that gives back 50% to the lucky winner with a draw at half-time on matchday, with a minimum stake of just £1. The prizes have recently been around £400 and the winning number is announced and displayed on the digital screen at half-time.
The Trust also organises social events and co-
ordinates the activities of volunteers. Please get in touch if you would like to help on match days.
A scheme with a range of activities for under 16s including stadium tours and competitions.
The Fans’ Player of the Month and Player of the Season polls are conducted by the Trust.
The Cards Trust arranges coach travel to away matches for supporters at the lowest cost possible. If you are an advertiser that would like to sponsor the travel, please get in touch.
Details of all coaches are available on the Trust website, where tickets can be booked online, usually up to 23:00 on the day before the match. Members and Junior Cards get discounted away match travel.
The SLG consults with fans (both Trust members and non-members) and the Club to improve the fan experience. Real change has been made based on ideas from the group including the successful Turner's Tannoy appeal which has financed the recent upgrade in the PA at the stadium.
The Cards Trust are running coaches to the matches against Wealdstone and AFC Fylde.
Remember, members and Junior Cards save money on bookings with their membership!
For more information
CLICK HERE
All travel with the Cards Trust is subject to the Cards Trust Travel Policy which is informed by legal and other restrictions. e.g. no alcohol is allowed on coaches. The policy can be viewed online on the website.
Any queries should be sent to adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk
Today’s Goldrush will be a hybrid of online and ‘at the ground’ sales.
The prize for the game against Solihull Moors was £334, the winning ticket number was 00579 and the winner was John Fortune from Farnborough, who very generously donated it entirely to Woking & Sam Beare Hospice.
400 CLUB AUGUST WINNERS
£100 Number 77 - Eddie Buckler
£75 Number 190 - Bill Sutton
£50 Number 76 - Derek Stevenson
To get involved contact john.hooker@cardstrust.co.uk.
Happy birthday from Woking Football Club, to…
September 1st - Amelie Mintram - 12 years old
September 3rd - Noah Jones - 6 years old
September 4th - Fin Ryan - 16 years old
September 16th - Zoe Hague - 8 years old
CAILTIN GARNER
Cailtin is a fourth Generation Fan, following in the footsteps of her Great Grandad Len, much missed Grandad Richard, and Dad Darren.
Caitlin plays for Meadow Sports Under 13s and enjoys roaring on the Lionesses to victory.
Principal Contractors ~ General Builders ~ Roofers ~ Landscapers ~ Plumbers ~ Joinery & Carpenters ~ Homeowners
TO YOU LOOS LIMITED provide site toilets with the following :-
Flushing chemical portable toilets (no mains required) with sinks or sanitiser units
Toilets are emptied and cleaned by ourselves weekly as standard, inclusive of chemicals and consumables, with additional services available on request
TO YOU LOOS LIMITED provide toilets for Fetes, Parties, Shows, Weddings, Horse Trials and all manner of Public and Private events with the following:-
Modern flushing chemical portable toilets with hand sanitiser units, accessible units with baby change and urinal modules also available
Comprehensively prepared units before delivery and full set up on site in agreed location / locations, inclusive of consumables and chemicals
Attendance / additional servicing during the event to keep units fresh and clean where requested
Full Public Liability Insurance
Please note the toilet units must be located no more than 8m from where the truck can park in order to be serviced and each unit is circa 1.2m square (4’ x 4’) so please check the access route to where you wish the unit to be sited.
MANAGER:
Click here an hour before kick-off for the starting XI
