The Fleet are on the road for the next two matches and it starts with a trip to the Laithwaite Community Stadium (or Kingfield as most Fleet fans will know it). The visit to Woking begins a long run of fixtures that will take in two matches a week through September.
Defeat to Chesterfield on Saturday was the first time since January that the Fleet suffered back-to-back defeats and the only match this season where Dennis Kutrieb’s men failed to find the back of the net – and in fact that goalscoring run had lasted 19 games in full stretching back to last season when Hemel shut us out in a goalless draw.
Form guide
Woking currently sit fifth on 15 points and are undefeated in five, their latest victory coming against Hartlepool United at the weekend. Prior to Saturday’s away victory, Tuesday’s hosts shared the points with both Maidenhead United and Solihull Moors. The Cards have only lost one of their four home matches, which came at the start of the season when they faced Altrincham (who are Fleet’s next opponents after Woking).
Head to head
The sides have come face to face a total of 31 times and the results are in the Fleet’s favour with 13 wins compared to Woking’s seven. Back in the 2019/20 season, this fixture was played four times – twice in the league and a further two times in the FA Cup. It would be the Fleet who would pass into the next round of the cup following a victory in a replay at Kingfield. Our last league visit to Woking was an exciting 2-2 draw with a turnaround in the final seven minutes from 2-0 down.
Who’s who
Finnish keeper Will Jaaskelainen – son of former Bolton stopper Jussi – signed for the Cards in February this year. The former Crewe Alexandra keeper has made a total of 20 appearances for Woking since his arrival and has kept three clean sheets this season. At the back is one of Woking’s longest serving players, Josh Casey having signed back in the summer of 2018. The 31-year-old has since made over 200 appearances for the Surrey club earning achievements such as promotion to the National League, an appearance in the third round of the FA Cup along with a semi-final spot in the FA Trophy. He has proven to be a fans’ favourite and has won three player of the year awards. In the middle is former Aldershot box-to-box midfielder Jim Kellermann while leading goalscorers are Reece Grego-Cox and Ricky Korboa with three each so far. And fellow striker Padraig Amond once scored 31 goals at National League level for Grimsby Town.
The manager
Former Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll took charge of Woking in 2022 and last season saw the club excel, finishing fourth to record their highest position of the 21st century. As a player, Sarll appeared for the likes of Hitchin Town, Bedford Town and Hemel Hempstead before moving to management in 2016 where he first coached at Stevenage.
Club connections
Former Bromley midfielder Charlie Wakefield has played alongside keeper Mark Cousins during his time at Hayes Lane, while Toby Edser played for the Cards in their previous clashes with the Fleet in 2019/20. Woking also have Robbie Willmott in their ranks, who was one of the Fleet’s most ambitious signings of summer 2015 but he had a short and unsuccessful spell at Stonebridge Road.
Ticket info
You can purchase a match ticket here until 5:30pm on Tuesday. Tickets are at a cheaper price compared to turnstile prices.
