WOKING V PETERBOROUGH UTD

WOKING may have the youngest squad in the National League with an average age of 22.5, but they’ve counted on experience in their FA Cup run. Cards legend and director of football Geoff Chapple, who masterminded upsets against West Bromwich Albion and Coventry City, gave a rousing speech to the Woking players before they stunned League One’s Bury in the first round – now his words will hope to inspire Anthony Limbrick’s side again. “You couldn’t get someone more experienced to come in to talk about cup runs and great times at Woking than Geoff Chapple,” Limbrick explained to The NLP. “You would be crazy not to tap into that as a manager like myself. We got Geoff in on the Saturday before the Bury game after we had trained in the morning and did our video and preparation work. Geoff gave a great talk about his experiences in the FA Cup and what it meant to play for Woking in this competition. It was great for all staff and players. He was brilliant. “It was a really emotional speech and I’m sure it went a long way to getting us a result against Bury. It was really good. “Someone of his experience has been great for me personally but also for the squad as well to make sure they knew the importance and history of the cup for the club.” After needing extra-time in the fourth qualifying round against Concord Rangers, of the National League South, Woking then drew 1-1 at home to Bury, conceding just 45 seconds into the tie. By full-time, though, many would have thought Woking had missed their opportunity to progress after dominating their higher-level opponents. But instead, a midweek replay at Gigg Lane gave Limbrick’s men the platform to pull off arguably the shock of the first round with a scintillating performance, that saw them put three unanswered goals past the Shakers. Peterborough United, seventh in League One, are well-known for signing top NonLeague talent. Woking will be tasked with keeping 10-goal striker Jack Marriott at bay, who made a name for himself at the Surreybased club four years ago when on loan from Ipswich Town. The Posh’s ranks also contain hot property Marcus Maddison, formerly of Gateshead, and their two latest recruits, Stockport winger Danny Lloyd and Dover’s recordbreaking striker Ricky Miller. “We gave the players Monday off but other than that it’s been a normal training week,” added Limbrick. “It’s been great for us that we’ve been able to have extra time to rest and recover and prepare on Saturday. “We have to have a very good day and they’ll have to have a bad one. They’re up by the play-offs in their league and they’ve got a great front three. “Our home record is fantastic; we’ve played 13 and only lost twice. We go in with confidence.”