FA CUP PREVIEW: Swindon Town v Woking FC

SWINDON TOWN takes on non-league Woking FC at The County Ground tomorrow in the FA Cup second round. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker previews the big match.

Having failed to progress further than the current round in the last five seasons, tomorrow’s match presents Richie Wellens and his Swindon side with their best opportunity in recent years of reaching the latter stages of the tournament. 

An impressive mid-week victory over Stevenage earned Town back-to-back wins for the first time this season and it appears they have finally hit a good run of form at exactly the right time. 

Having met each other just twice in the FA Cup history with Swindon emerging victors on each occasion will give the Robins confidence as they seek to reach the promised lands of the third round for the first time since 2011.

In similar form, Woking travels to Wiltshire with a spell of great recent results behind them. Unbeaten in their last six games see’s the visitors comfortably placed in the second spot of the Vanarama National League South table with 34 points to their name. 

However postponement of their latest match sees them travel to SN1 lacking in competitive minutes.

Swindon manager Richie Wellens will be hopeful of securing his third victory in charge of the club against an opposition placed two leagues below his side. 

And it will be interesting to see whether the manager once again puts his faith in youth after academy products Scott Twine and Sol Pryce scored three goals between them over Stevenage. 

Scoring his first senior goal for Town in the cup’s second-round victory over York City places Twine in good stead as he looks to push on following a recent run of games. 

Whilst Pryce, fresh from scoring two debut goals will be full of confidence as the youngster looks to cement a starting position in the squad.

Beating Torquay United in the FA Cup first round makes tomorrow’s match the third year in a row that the Cards have progressed to the second round before exiting the competition with defeats against football league opposition.

But despite playing in leagues below, Woking’s attack will provide a tough test for Swindon’s defence. 

Thirty-one league goals scored this season displays the attacking quality that Woking has to offer, and entering the game as underdogs allows for the visitors to attack without pressure.

Team news sees Swindon without long-term absentees Diagouraga, Robertson, and Woolery, whilst Jak McCourt, Marc Richards, and Elijah Adebayo remain a doubt. James Dunne could also be in line for a return to the first-team after a period out due to personal reasons.

For Woking, Charlie Hester-Cook will be unavailable for selection due to suspension, as Jamar Loza looks unlikely to feature due to injury.

An FA Cup third round fixture against a big Premier League side will be on the Christmas list of many Swindon fans, but first, their side must do the business against a Woking side looking to cause an upset. 

Match prediction: 3-1