Woking Preview

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__________________ York City vs Woking
____________________-___Bootham Crescent, York
________________-__Saturday 19th February 2005, 3.00pm
________________________

New manager Billy McEwan makes his York City home debut when visitors Woking come into town. York City have reason to be optimistic after a good display away at Forest Green but looking at Woking’s recent run City will need to be on top form to overcome the play-off hopefuls.

Team news; Long term absentee Steve Davis is inching closer to full fitness, the ex-captain has been struggling with a hip injury for several months now but has been playing in the reserves and will now be in contention for a place on the bench. Midfield/defensive rock Gary Pearson also suffers with a long layoff expected after he still waits to have surgery on his shoulder, he is expected to be out for five weeks after his operation but is likely to be out until April. Another long term injury victim is Chris Brass who is out for the rest of the season with extensive knee ligament damage. Trio Shaun Smith, Kane Ashcroft and Mathew Coad are out with two thigh strains and one groin problem respectively but were not considered to be challenging for a place even if they were fit.

Woking are in magnificent form, the Cardinals haven’t been defeated in nine games and their last five games have all been victories. Woking’s manager was in confident mood going into Saturday’s game; “I think we’ll get in the play-offs and we’ve got a great chance of winning the two cups as well, but the play-offs are the priority because of the financial side.”.

Woking’s last game – a 2-0 win over Crawley Town - was described as “effortless” as they rolled over their nine man opposition. When Crawley had had Sasha Opinel and Sean Hankin sent off Woking took advantage, Jefferson Louis won a penalty that Ian Selley coolly converted and Stephen Evans smashed home a delightful left-foot effort from the edge of the penalty area, following Chris Sharpling's right-wing delivery.

Manager Glenn Cockerill has bolstered his squad in readiness for his teams final push for a promotion place by signing former Torquay midfielder Jamie Gosling. 22-year-old Gosling has agreed a deal until the end of the season at Kingfield and the midfielder is expected to make his Woking debut when Woking come to the Crescent this Saturday. Cockerill made his move for the ex-Yeovil Town player after allowing midfielders Scott Canham and Michael Johnson to join Farnborough Town.

Saturday’s game should be a tight affair as both clubs look on the rise.

How the Teams Line-Up

York City (Possible Team) – Porter, Law, Maloney, Groves, Davies, Donovan, Dunning, Webster, Merris, Bishop, P.D. Robinson.
Substitutes; Stockdale, Grant, Staley, Constable, P. Robinson.

Woking (Possible Team) – Jalal, Murray, Boardman, Oliver, MacDonald, Jackson, Sharpling, Evans, Selley, Louis, Richards.
Substitutes; Basso, Ferguson, Gosling, Nade, Smith.

Form Guide (Last 5)

York City – WLWLD – Morecambe (H), Accrington (Conf. Cup) (A), Leigh (A), Aldershot (H), Forest Green (A).

Woking – WWWWW – Stevenage (FA Trophy) (H), Forest Green (A), Tamworth (H), Alfreton (A), Crawley (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
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The Cardinalls
WFC Message Board

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