Woking 1-2 York City
Vanarama National League
23rd September 2023

Woking welcomed the TNT Sports cameras to the Laithwaite for the first time this season when they hosted York City. For the early 12:30 kick off, Darren Sarll made three changes to his side, two in the centre of defence. Luke Wilkinson and Scott Cuthbert came in for Greg Taylor and Timi Odusina, who both took their places on the bench. Meanwhile Matt Robinson came in for Tunji Akinola, suspended after picking up five yellow cards.

Interestingly, both sides lined up with four on the bench, despite Neal Ardley’s men having a squad size of over 30. Woking were sporting their brand new black and grey third kit, with City in their white away kit, as the away side kicked off towards the KRE in the beautiful sunshine.

The opening ten minutes were tight, as both teams tried to create, but the Woking offside trap was frustrating York’s attackers, whilst their defenders were keeping tight to Padraig Amond and Ricky Korboa.

However, the best chance of the game thus far came on 20 minutes when a great through ball from Zak Bradshaw found Amond through on goal after breaching the offside trap, but his low finish bounced back off the inside of the post and was cleared away.

On 24 minutes, York took the lead when Lenell John-Lewis’s shot took a wicked deflection and looped over Will Jaaskelainen, and Woking immediately sought to find a response.

Dangerous crosses from Dan Moss and Josh Casey forced the York defence into action, as it just seemed Woking needed some luck to fall their way. On 41 minutes, a great cross from Moss was met by Korboa, but he directed his header wide with space at the back post.

Woking went into half time having dominated yet still lacking that cutting edge up front, with work to be done in the second half.

Half-time: Woking 0-1 York City
Woking had their equaliser on 58 minutes when an interception led to Casey crossing for Amond, whose header was well saved by Whitley, but Korboa tapped home the rebound.

A huge chance for York to retake the lead went begging in the 72nd minute, when a great cross from the right was met by John-Lewis, but his header cannoned back off the bar, before a superb save from Jaaskelainen from Dan Batty denied the follow up.

Woking then hit the bar moments later as great play from Korboa saw him take the ball from the edge of the box and curl a superb strike back off the inside of the woodwork, so close to a memorable second.

After the Cards’ press worked well, Robbie Willmott carried the ball towards goal, but a miscommunication between Amond and Korboa prevented what would have been a golden chance, before good link up between Willmott and Korboa saw the latter head over the bar.

Greg Taylor’s cross then somehow was diverted wide by a York defender, with the ball trickling perilously past his own post. However on 98 minutes, York had a winner when a cross from the right was hit towards goal, Casey headed off the line, but the ball bounced off the bar and into the path of Ryan Fallowfield, who sent the travelling faithful wild.
That was how it finished, with Woking once again being made to pay for missed chances, however this time, it cost them all three points.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Luke Wilkinson (Odusina 92’), Scott Cuthbert, Padraig Amond, Jermaine Anderson (Taylor 77’), Ricky Korboa, Matt Robinson (Willmott 74’), Jim Kellermann, Zak Bradshaw.

Unused subs: Andre

Goals: Korboa 59’

Bookings: Anderson 68’

York City: Ryan Whitley, Ryan Fallowfield, Adam Crookes (Latty-Fairweather 65’), Tyler Cordner, Dipo Akinyemi, Maziar Kouhyar (Marsh 79’), Lenell John-Lewis, Callum Howe, Daniel Batty, Zanda Siziba (McLaughlin 70’), Alex Woodyard

Unused subs: Watson

Goals: John-Lewis 24’

Bookings: Fallowfield 68’

Referee: Gary Parsons

Attendance: 2806

Man of the Match: Scott Cuthbert