With just shy of half a season played in the Conference, part-time Woking are the surprise package; the lone over-achievers in a top five comprised of the division's big boys.

The Surrey side were holders of the division’s longest unbeaten start, finally sampling defeat in their tenth fixture, and have continued to defy the odds to sit in fourth place after 19 games – two less than league-leaders Barnet.

Now in their third season at this level, it has been continual improvement under boss Garry Hill. The former Dagenham & Redbridge boss lifted the Conference South title in his first full season at Kingfield before overseeing 12th and ninth place finishes.

The goals of the much-travelled Scott Rendell have played a significant part in firing the Cardinals to the upper reaches of the Conference. The former Peterborough United and Wycombe Wanderers hitman has struck 13 times this term – leaving him second only to Barnet’s John Akinde in the division's goal-scoring charts.

Rendell, 28, has represented no fewer than 12 clubs in his professional career, and after a less-than-prolific stint with Luton Town, the Ashford-born striker appears to have settled with Woking, grabbing 36 goals in just 59 starts.

Gez Sole has also been in red-hot form this term, netting ten times in just 11 starts, whilst also making ten appearances from the substitute’s bench.

The 26-year-old free-kick specialist has always played his best football for the cards, scoring 102 times in 181 starts across two spells. A product of the club’s academy, Sole joined Newport County in 2010 after previously spending time on loan at Ebbsfleet United.

However his time with the Exiles did not work out and he returned to Kingfield in 2011 via loan stays at Dorchester Town and Havant & Waterlooville.

A former England ‘C’ international, Sole has been the Cards’ top-scorer in three seasons at the club but missed much of the 2012/13 campaign after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

Between the sticks, Jake Cole will be familiar to Bees fans having spent two years at Underhill between 2009 and 2011. The former Queens Park Rangers stopped initially joined Barnet on loan in 2009 before making the move permanent in the summer.

Cole went on to be named Barnet’s player of the season for the 2009/10 campaign after helping the Bees avoid relegation.

Upon leaving the club, Cole joined League 2 rivals Plymouth Argyle on a two-year deal, making 103 appearances in all competitions for the Devon side before being released in the summer.

So far the 29-year-old has had to play second fiddle to Aaron Howe and loanee Ross Worner, though he has started the last three in league and cup for the Cards after Worner returned to parent club Wimbledon.

Woking boast a marginally better record away from home this term and have not won in front of their own supporters since September 30 in the league, when they beat Nuneaton Town 1-0.

Barnet suffered their first and only league defeat against the Cards last season, going down 3-1 at The Hive to goals from Josh Payne and Rendell (2), with the corresponding fixture a goalless draw at Kingfield.

The two have met in the FA Cup on seven occasions, with Woking winning three and four ties ending in draws. 

Woking XI v Halifax Town: Cole; Newton, Clarke, McNerney, Cestor; Betsy, Payne, Lewis, Arthur; Rendell, Sole.