Cards off target

Staines Town 1 Woking 0
Blue Square Bet South
16th October 2010


One piece of quality finishing late in the second half was enough to leave Woking pointless and goalless in their last three league games. With minutes remaining, the Staines’ captain, Andre Scarlett, drove into the box and as the Cards' defence backed off he rifled a low shot across Andy Little and into the far corner. Having looked certain to hold on to an away point, Woking will have rued their missed chances, with shots never really troubling the Swans' keeper and too often fired high or wide of the target.

Graham Baker brought in Alan Inns to replace the suspended Adam Doyle at the centre of defence with Craig Faulconbridge and Ola Sogbanmu paired up front. From the start, and after a minute's silence in memory of Colin Lippiatt, it was the home side that gained the initial advantage with Walcott’s close-range header turned away by Little. Woking were pegged back as they struggled to clear a series of corners and long throws. On nine minutes a dipping long-range effort from Walcott was only just over the bar.

It was 'man of the match', Moses Ademola (pictured), who created most of the problems for the Staines’ defence with his runs down the right-hand side, particularly in the first half, stretching left back Steer and the Swans' defence. On twelve minutes Ademola wriggled into the box after a Quarm pass but his left-foot shot was deflected wide and away. From the resulting corner Craig Faulconbridge rose at the far post but, as was to happen too often throughout the game, his header was off target.

After fifteen minutes a sweeping cross-field pass from Aswad Thomas was controlled instantly by Ademola – again Moses was able to get into the box but his right-foot shot was weak and easily cleared.

On twenty-one minutes came the one controversial moment of the match. Griffiths had the ball in the net but was ruled offside despite the protestations of the home side and their supporters. Minutes later a good cross was fired in by Ricky Anane but Faulconbridge was unable to make contact and as Thomas returned the ball from the other flank it was turned away for a corner.

With twenty-eight minutes gone Faulconbridge again had another chance after Hurrell’s pass found him with the goal at his mercy but his shot was easily saved. The next opportunity fell to the Cards’ young striker Sogbanmu and it was Ademola who was again the provider. Latching on to a McNerney pass, he beat Steer on the right-hand bye line with some excellent control and quick feet and his pull back fell to Sogbanmu. Ola’s shot was blazed over the bar, taking a deflection on the way.

Just before the break Scarlett fired over the Woking bar and Ademola fired well wide at the other end from outside the box.

Half-time: Staines Town 0 Woking 0

The second half started with Ryan Blake replacing Hurrell and Inns heading over from a corner in the first minute. Further shots from Ademola and Quarm were both wide before Staines had a reasonable chance to open their account after Woking gave the ball away at the back. Walcott was again the culprit firing over the bar.

After sixty-five minutes Elvis Hammond was on to replace Sogbnamu and to make his Woking debut. He looked quick and sharp and almost immediately was fouled on the right edge of the box. Thomas's free kick was fired low across the six-yard box and, only requiring a touch to open the scoring, evaded everyone including Falconbridge at the far post.

Mark Ricketts almost diverted the ball into his own net from a Harris cross but Andy Little was on hand to save with his foot. As Woking continued to play long and Jimmy Dack urged the Cards to “Get it down and pass it!� another Thomas cross beat everyone in the box and with Joe McNerney bearing down on goal his close-range effort went wide. Further efforts from Ademola and Ricketts were also off target before Staines finally produced the moment of quality and the all-important goal. And, having taken the lead, they almost doubled their advantage when Andy Little could only parry a Griffiths shot, which was then scrambled to safety.

Woking now find themselves in fifteenth place in the league and with a difficult home tie against Eastleigh in the FA Cup next Saturday. Goals are desperately needed, however they come, if the Cards are to have any chance of making progress in the Cup or improving their current league position.


Woking: Andy Little, Ricky Anane, Aswad Thomas, Mark Ricketts, Joe McNerney, Alan Inns, Moses Ademola, Francis Quarm (Jerome Maledon 68), Craig Faulconbridge, Ola Sogbanmu (Elvis Hammond 65), Sam Hurrell (Ryan Blake 46)

Unused subs: Dave Gilroy, Jordan Kennedy

Staines Town: Wells, Jackson, Steer, Orlu, Ifura, Scarlett, Mingle, Brown, Griffiths, Charles-Smith (Harris 71), Walcott

Unused subs: Taylor, Kamara, Risbridger, Kalipha

MOTM: Moses Ademola

Attendance: 914