Woking v. Leigh RMI preview

Woking FC
By Matt Lawton
January 10 2004

The Railwaymen make the hefty trip to Surrey looking to get their Conference campaign back on track after suffering a disastrous Festive period which has seen them concede eleven goals in just two games.

RMI make the trip having had both their Christmas and New Year celebrations wrecked in successive games by North West rivals Chester City, who's impressive form seems to indicate that it is only a matter of time before they regain their place in the Third Division of the Nationwide League.

RMI fell to a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the Deva Stadium on Boxing Day, and that defeat was compounded when it was revealed that RMI's former Republic of Ireland and Oldham Athletic goalkeeper Gary Kelly had sustained a broken thumb.

Kelly's injury meant that in the return game on New Years Day, Ian Martin was to make his full RMI debut, and despite conceding six goals, he performed impressively, and even saved a first half penalty. Despite what seemed to be a thrashing with the scoreline at 6-2, RMI were well worth a point, and could've even won the game, hitting the woodwork twice during the game, and pulling back a 3-0 deficit to 3-2 with twelve minutes remaining, only for Chester to kill the game off with three goals in the last four minutes.

However, there were many bright spots in the performance, not least the performances of debutants Paul Rickers and Mario Daniel. Rickers has signed on loan from Northampton Town and had a solid debut, while Daniel scored RMI's first goal on his debut on New Years Day amd he will be looking to continue in a similar vein of form.

Unfortunately, former Blackpool defender-cum-midfielder Wayne Maden, who has so far been one of RMI's most impressive performers in what has been a tough season, sustained a broken nose in the first half of Thursday's game, and it is that injury which will prevent him taking the Kingfield pitch to face the 9th-placed hosts on Saturday afternoon.

England Semi-Pro international defender Neil Durkin is struggling with a groin injury, although former Burnley defender Gerry Harrison is set to start the game in the RMI back line, while striker Ian Fitzpatrick is out through ankle ligament damage.

Saturday's hosts are set to be without Jamie Campbell, Ben Townsend and former Arsenal midfielder Ian Selley, with the trio serving suspensions. Scott Canham is expected to be one of the players deputising in midfield, but Chris Sharpling will not figure as he is awaiting a much needed operation on his injured knee.

RMI will be looking to try and get back on track and regain lost ground on their relegation rivals, while Woking will be looking to consilidate at the least, if not to try and make a push for the play-offs.