Woking Preview

[Kingmouse]

_________________ York City vs Woking
____________________-___Bootham Crescent, York
_____________________Friday 26th August 2005, 7.45pm
_____________________-___


York City go into the Woking game off the back of a 1-1 draw away at Grays. City looked very impressive against a much fancied team, dominating large parts of the game and threatening to show Athletic some of the free scoring football Grays produced last season. A controversial stoppage time penalty scuppered York’s chances of recording their second successive win of the season and City had to settle for a point rather than all three.

Captain and inspirational defender Mark Hotte was sent off for his second bookable offence during the game and will miss the visit of Woking due to the corresponding one match ban he earned. Hotte was alleged to have brought down the Grays striker whilst in the penalty area but all in red that day will argue about the minimal contact and the fact that the ball had already been collected by Chris Porter when the striker hit the deck. Either way the 88th minute penalty was scored and Hotte was dismissed leaving a sour taste in the mouths for the 350-400 travelling fans. The loss of Hotte will be a massive blow to the team, not only because he is rock at the back but because his likely replacement, James Dudgeon, is only just returning to full fitness.

City gaffer Billy McEwan called for his team to “be more ruthless in front of goal” after his teams trip to Essex. McEwan said of Saturday’s match; "We created a lot of good situations in the final third, but never punished them, we could have had a good lead by half-time”. This comment will be a welcome boost for last year’s top scorer Andy Bishop who has been kept out of the starting line-up for the past three games. The former Walsall hitman had been recovering from a knee operation had had over the summer to clear up an injury that was troubling him during the 04/05 season. Bish’ came off the bench to score on Tuesday which may be an indicator to Billy Mac that he is ready to make a full return to the side.

City team news; York will be without the services of Mark Hotte (see above) due to suspension. His likely replacement James Dudgeon is close to a starting place after his hamstring injury but his level of match fitness may rule him out of Friday’s clash. Promising keeper David Stockdale is now fully fit after the young stopper cracked a metatarsal in his foot during pre-season training. ‘Stocky’ could well be in-line for a starting place after current number one Chris Porter’s handling still looks suspect, much to the visible annoyance of Billy Mac. Rookie midfielder Byron Webster is still recovering from a fractured arm he sustained during a pre-season match. The only other player is missing is former Turkish under-18 international Lev Yalcin who struggling with a hamstring problem.


City will have to contend with a Woking team who have scored in every one of their Conference games this season. The Cards have bagged six goals in first three games, one more than City have managed. The visitors find themselves one point and three places below their hosts, a win would potentially lift them above York and into the play-off places.

A disappointing opening day defeat against new comers Kidderminster (2-1) prompted a backlash in Woking’s next game against last year’s play-off finalists Stevenage Borough. Described as “An extraordinary emotional rollercoaster of a game” Woking came out victorious with an 88th minute Steve Ferguson stunner sending the fans wild and the Cards 3-2 up. Woking’s last match ended up in an uninspirational draw (2-2) with Burton Albion at home, they will be looking for an improved performance on the road after coming from behind to claim their point.

Danger man; Justin Richards - Signed from Stevenage Borough in summer 2004, Justin began his career as a trainee with the Baggies before moving to Bristol Rovers for a £100,000 fee. Joined Stevenage Borough on loan in 2002 and was subsequently given a permanent contract. Richards had an impressive first season for the Cards last year, showing great commitment and excellent ball control and ending up as top scorer with 19 league and cup goals. His career stats with Woking read a goal every two games, with stats like that he will be hoping to add to the goal he already has this season when his team travel up north.

Woking team news; Karl Murray returns from his 1 match ban after serving his time for being sent off against Stevenage (two yellows) and is expected to return to the starting line-up after his replacement, Neil Smith, failed to impress against Burton. Defender Jimmy Aggrey and experienced striker Chris Sharpling will still be missing through injury. “Tough-tackling” defender Gary MacDonald picked up a knock against Burton but is expected to be fit for the game at the KitKat Crescent.

Both teams will have all to play for which should produce an entertaining match between two top half teams.

How the Teams Line-Up

York City (Possible Team) – Porter, Price, Dudgeon, McGurk, Peat, Dunning, Convery, Panther, Mansaram, O’Neill, Donaldson.
Substitutes; Afandiyev, Law, Merris, Pounder, Bishop.

Woking (Possible Team) – Jalal, Jackson, El-Salahi, MacDonald, Reed, Blackman, Murray, Selley, Evans, Richards, Ferguson.
Substitutes; McAllister, Davies, L.Cockerill, Rawle, Smith.

Form Guide (Last 5)

York City – DWD – Crawley (H), Southport (A), Grays (A)

Woking – LWD – Kidderminster (A), Stevenage (H), Burton (H)

Related Links

Need a Lift to BC on Saturday?? Try Here
Woking Supporter?? Try YorkCityFC.com’s Guide for Away Fans
YorkCityFC.com Prediction League

Official Woking FC Website
Cardsweb
The Cardinalls
WFC Message Board

>>> Return to YorkCityFC.com Homepage