Maidenhead United 0-0 Woking
Vanarama National League
2nd September 2023

After back-to-back wins over the Bank Holiday weekend, there was just one enforced change for the short journey to Maidenhead, as Luke Wilkinson, sidelined with injury, was replaced by Scott Cuthbert. For the hosts, notable names included former Woking duo Craig Ross and Kane Ferdinand, with the latter captaining Alan Devonshire’s side. The Cards were also buoyed by the return of Jermaine Anderson to the bench, after his recovery from a long-term injury suffered at Chesterfield in February.

After Ross took some applause from the away end, Maidenhead kicked off towards the Canal End of the ground, which meant that Woking were kicking towards their away support in the first half. Woking’s former keeper could count himself lucky that on seven minutes, Jim Kellermann’s attempted cross came back off the crossbar, with Ross nowhere near the ball.

Ross had to act fast again on 15 minutes, when Padraig Amond’s cross had to be parried away with several Woking players ready to pounce inside the box. Maidenhead’s first venture forwards saw good link up play between Casey Pettit and Charlee Adams force a save from the latter’s low shot by Will Jaaskelainen.

After a dominant five-minute spell from the hosts, Woking broke forwards, and Ricky Korboa forced Ross into a low save down to his right-hand side after great work from Amond to play him in down the right wing. A Charlee Adams free kick forced a strong hand from Jaaskelainen before the Finn had to get down to his left to prevent Pettit’s shot from squeezing in at his near post.

That was all the action in the first half, in a half where Woking started strongly, but their hosts grew into the game and presented a threat.

Half-time: Maidenhead United 0-0 Woking

After a dominant first five minutes from the hosts, which ended in Scott Cuthbert having to make an inch-perfect interception from a Maidenhead cross, the game went quite until the 60th minute, when Sarll turned to his bench. Kellermann and Matt Robinson were replaced by Nana Boateng and the returning Jermaine Anderson. Just minutes later, Woking’s best chance for quite some time saw Boateng, Josh Casey and Korboa link, with the latter slicing his volley after a Casey cross found him unmarked.

Quick play from the same trio saw Korboa’s first time effort fly just over the bar, as Woking began to dominate possession. But Maidenhead managed to spurn their best chance of the game minutes later, as great wing play from Ashley Nathaniel-George saw the ball reach Reece Smith, who somehow couldn’t convert with half the goal gaping.

Yet the Cards missed an even better chance when a flick at the back post was only half punched clear by Ross, and the ball was somehow blazed over the bar with the entire goal gaping.

Maidenhead fans and players alike were seething when it appeared a Woking player had used a hand to clear off the line, but the referee stood firm with his decision of no penalty. A combination of Cuthbert and Jaaskelainen was then needed to deny Harry Parsons when he broke the offside trap, with Woking living dangerously.

The final whistle went after seven added minutes, which saw Woking somehow deny the Maidenhead onslaught, which seemed to go on forever. An uninspiring performance, but a point at one of Woking’s unhappiest hunting grounds in recent memory will be considered a decent result.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Greg Taylor, Padraig Amond, Matt Robinson (Lewis 60’), Ricky Korboa (Lewis 71’), Tunji Akinola, Jim Kellermann (Anderson 60’), Zak Bradshaw.

Unused subs: Willmott, Habergham

Bookings: Cuthbert 30’, Casey 45+2’

Maidenhead United: Craig Ross, Zico Asare, Sam Beckwith, Kevin Lokko, Ashley Nathaniel-George, Kane Ferdinand, Casey Pettit (Omilabu 76’), Reece Smith, Remy Clerima, Chanka Zimba (Parsons 69’), Charlee Adams

Unused subs: Keetch, Massey, Kinsella

Bookings: Ferdinand 84’

Referee: Stuart Morland

Attendance: 1685

Man of the Match: Zak Bradshaw was tenacious throughout, providing a link between the midfield and attack whilst playing a key role in a vital clean sheet.