Preview: Woking vs. Maidstone United - prediction, team news, lineups

Promotion contenders Woking host Kentish club Maidstone United with hopes of continuing their climb towards the top of the table on Saturday.

With just three points separating Woking from fellow challengers Chesterfield, a win against the relegation-battling Maidstone will prove a boost to their ambitions. Meanwhile, Maidstone will hope last week's victory over mid-table Maidenhead was not a flash in the pan as they travel to the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Match preview

Woking will have had two weeks to stew over the home draw to Altrincham in their last fixture, a welcome rest before the busy winter schedule, and one they will hope to use to their advantage at the weekend.

After dominating much of the first half, Altrincham took the lead against a tired Woking side thanks to the head of Elliott Newby. Craig Ross in goal for the home team had to be on top form to prevent the Robins running away with it in the second half.

However, former Newport County striker Paddy Amond proved to be the saviour off the bench for the Cardinals, the Irishman curling a free kick around the Altrincham wall in injury time to level the tie.

Whilst the defensive work of Scott Cuthbert and Joe McNerney has proved vital for Woking's climb up the National League, they cannot solely rely on their strength should they wish to battle for promotion.

Manager Darren Sarll will have had two weeks on the training ground to calculate how best to get a grip on the match, with midfielders Rohan Ince and Jim Kellermann crucial for maintaining control for the Cardinals.

Hakan Hayrettin's Maidstone will travel to Woking hoping to maintain their recent revival, a side optimistic after picking up seven points from their last three games.

After beating favourites Scunthorpe last month 2-0 away from home, Maidstone picked up a draw against Oldham and, most recently, a win against Maidenhead United.

The victory against Maidenhead turned out to be the Stones' first home win since August, and Hayrettin would have been delighted to see his side coming flying out the traps against Maidenhead at the start of both halves, with goals from Dominic Odusanya, Regan Booty and Christie Pattison.

However, with Pattison's goal coming from shocking Maidenhead defending, and Booty's penalty coming after a contentious handball decision, Maidstone may take the victory as partly down to luck, and they will need more than luck on their side to overcome a sturdy Woking side at the weekend.

Team News

Defensive midfielder Jim Kellermann is a doubt for the match on Saturday, having been forced off due to an early injury against Altrincham. Rhys Browne came on for Kellermann in that match, and is favourite to start for Woking.

After equalising spectacularly off the bench, Amond will hope to start in place of James Daly, with Reece Grego-Cox playing off of the Irishman upfront.

Thirty-three-year-old defender Joe Ellul may miss Saturday's fixture, with the lynchpin veteran coming off after just 11 minutes last time out.

Aldershot loanee Kodi Lyons-Foster is likely to take his place at the back, having featured in just six matches this season as a squad player for the Stones.

Woking possible starting lineup:

Ross; Moss, Cuthbert, McNerney, Casey; Ince, Roles, Browne, Daly; Amond, Grego-Cox

Maidstone United possible starting lineup:

Sandford; Lyons-Foster, Fowler, Booty, Barham; Corne, Odusanya, Pattison, Binnom-Williams; Greenidge, Deacon

We say: Woking 3-1 Maidstone United

Without one of their key men at the back for Maidstone, it will likely to be a struggle away from home for the side from Kent.

Woking will look to weather the chaotic attacking style of the away team, bringing the result into their hands with the help of their midfield unit and talented strikers.

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