Getting to know the opposition: Woking

The final game of the regular season takes place on Sunday (3pm) as Chesterfield set sights on becoming the final team to confirm a spot in this season’s play-off places. 

Looking to join Grimsby Town, Notts County, FC Halifax Town, Solihull Moors and either Wrexham or Stockport County in the play-offs, the Spireites prepare to welcome a Woking side who have already recorded 19 points greater than what was achieved during the 2020/21 campaign. 

Whilst the Cards propose a much greater record this season compared to last, the Surrey-based side have lost their last two games, including an emphatic 3-0 defeat to already-relegated King’s Lynn Town. 

League Standings 

ClubLeague PositionWinsDrawsLossesGoals ForGoals AgainstPoints
Chesterfield FC7th  201310695173
Woking FC 15th16423596152

In what is the biggest game of the season for the Spireites, confidence will be taken in that Woking have already confirmed their status in the Vanarama National League for next season. However, three points on the final day of the season and the club could draw level to their record during the 2019/20 season when they were able to collect 55 points. 

Breaking down the key statistics that have made up the fabric of this season, Chesterfield have netted ten goals more than Woking, whilst also conceding ten less than the visitors. The key difference between the two sides is that whilst the Spireites have been spearheaded by the goals of Kabongo Tshimanga, Woking have been able to spread out their goalscoring exploits between three of their stars. Between Inih Effiong, Max Kretzschmar, and Tahvon Campbell, 39 goals have been scored with each player scoring 13 goals each this season. Beyond Woking’s three prolific stars, the next highest goal scorers are Jamar Loza and Nicke Kabamba who have both netted on three occasions this term. 

In a closer look at the defensive displays this season, Chesterfield have kept six more clean sheets than Woking, with the Cards knowing that if they can keep the play-off hopefuls at bay this weekend, they will be able to reach double digits for clean sheets. On average, the Spireites conceded 1.19 goals per game, a significantly lower figure than mid-table Woking, who conceded 1.42 goals per game. 

Head-to-Head Record 

Home SideRecord
(Date)
Away Side
Woking FC3-1
(28th September 2021)
Chesterfield FC
Woking FC1-4
(8th May 2021)
Chesterfield FC
Chesterfield4-0
(10th October 2020)
Woking FC
Chesterfield FC1-2
(13th August 2019)
Woking FC

Heading into the crucial final game of the season, it is the Cards who are able to come into the fixture with the bragging rights after recording an impressive comeback win in Surrey. Winning 3-1 back in September, Saidou Khan gave the Spireites the lead after 12 minutes but a second-half resurgence from Woking inspired what would be an impressive three points. Campbell hit Chesterfield for double, including an 87th minute winner before Effiong secured the win only two minutes later. 

The Woking win earlier this season levelled up the history books between these two, with only four league meetings ever taking place before this weekend. Prior to the comeback win for the Cards, Chesterfield had managed to score eight goals in the two meetings last season. The first meeting that took place at the Technique Stadium allowed fans to witness a defiant 4-0 win as Chesterfield cruised to victory. Whilst the game reflects a dominating performance, it must be stated that three of the four goals were scored in the final six minutes of the game, after Tom Denton opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the game.

Travelling to Surrey in last season’s fixture, four different scorers were on the list as Gavin Gunning, Marcus Dinanga, George Carline and Jack Clarke all contributed to what was another resounding victory.

By Sam Plummer