FC HALIFAX TOWN

TWO SIDES performing well above expectations go head-tohead on Saturday when Woking host FC Halifax Town.

Like Halifax, The Cards had a weekend off last week due to being knocked out of the FA Cup and recorded their first win in 14 games last time out at Stockport.

Rob Hemingway, from the Woking News and Mail, gives us the lowdown on Town’s opponents.

How have Woking done so far?

It was a stunning, unexpected start. Promoted from National South, keeping seven of that team, it was not at all thought of to be in the upper reaches of the league, let alone top as they were in August/early September. Being part-time and having one of the lowest budgets, the expectation from the board was to stay in the league, so that’s being exceeded by far.

Did this two week break come at a good time for them?

Before the Stockport win, you would have said absolutely yes as the club had been on a long run without a win. But that was one of their best results/ performances of the season, so you could argue they will lose some momentum from that. But overall, the team have been conceding too many goals, and Alan Dowson told me last week he wanted to do some work on defensive shape – so it’s come at a good time in that sense.

Why did their form tail off so much recently?

No one reason. A combination of a long slog of a season starting to tell, Tuesday night fixtures being hard for the team as they work in the day (of their five losses so far, four have been on a Tuesday), injuries, and some defensive lapses when ahead in games.

What’s Woking’s play?

Various tactics based on the opponent, but you can always expect a team that works their socks off, and that’s a threat from set pieces.

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Which players in particular have impressed?

Jake Hyde through sheer volume of goals, Dave Tarpey’s Luis Suarez-esque displays down the right, and ‘keeper Craig Ross who has made a number of outstanding saves this season.