ALDERSHOT 2 WOKING 2

7.45pm on Tuesday 13 March 2007
Nationwide Conference

The long awaited derby between two fierce rivals had arrived. The shots entertained Woking at a busy evening at the Rec. Ollie Berquez was dropped to the bench, with Neil Smith lining up alongside Karl Murray in the middle. New signing Daniel Webb started up front with Craig, with Gez playing out on the left flank.

Within a minute the hosts were almost in front, when Bittner pulled off a stunning save to deny Ryan Williams. Most of the 700 or so Cards fans were starting to think the worst already, but the Cards responded and took control. On 5 minutes, after good work down the left, Green whipped in a ball, but Macca could not quite get there and the danger cleared. 3 minutes later and the Cards had the lead. A good cross from Murray saw Green get there first at the back post, he squared the ball across and Daniel Webb finished off the move in style. What a way to start your Cards debut - a goal against Aldershot on their turf!!!

The attacking football did not stop there, as the visitors carved out several excellent scoring opportunities. Webb had a wonderful chance to double the lead on 17 minutes, when he seemed to be off and away, however, Anthony Charles got back quickly and did just about enough to put him off his shot. Aldershot were all over the place and Williams was the only player that was really causing any menace. He had a good run, going past Pearce, but sent his shot into the Woking fans.

With 35 minutes played, the Cards were looking settled. They were playing free-flowing football, Aldershot were not causing us any problems and the team was playing well. However just when things could not have got any better, they got a whole lot worse. The shots equalised. After Woking failed to clear a Ryan Williams cross, Kirk Hudson shot through a crowd of bodies and the ball trickled over the line. But spirits were not dampened and the game remained all square at half time.

HALF TIME - ALDERSHOT 1 WOKING 1

Both sides remained unchanged after the break and the Cards came out of the traps like lightening. Some excellent interlinking play between Gez and Webb resulted in the latter sending a powerful shot just over the bar. Smith and Murray were working hard in the middle of the park and Hutch and Gary Mac were simply outstanding at the back.

Craig had the next chance, when his shot was too tame and straight at Nikki Bull. With just over 15 minutes of the second half elapsed, the Cards took the lead again. A wonderful ball over the top from Karl sent Webb free. He went out wide, but cleverly played the ball into the path of Craig who had the simple task of tapping home. Cue jubilation in the away section and it was no less than we deserved. The Woking of September had re-appeared, the passion, the commitment and the heart were all there. The attacking football was there and most importantly, the goals were coming.

The next 10 minutes saw Woking run rings round Aldershot and it seemed like a case of how many would the Cards get. Gez had a long effort just over the bar, before he hit a free-kick within inches of going in. The hosts posed little threat and resorted to long ball tactics. With 70 minutes gone, it all looked quite easy, until a goal kick was sent straight to Ryan Williams, and when the Cards failed to clear their lines, John Grant headed home.

Things got worse when Gary Mac saw red with 10 minutes to go. From then on in, it was all Aldershot. Liam Marum and Goma came on to liven things up and when Curtis Osano went on a mazy run, the Cards had a great chance to steal it. Osano played a neat one-two with Karl, before putting Craig in. He was in two minds as to what to do and did neither chip it, or place it and the danger was over.

Barnard had a good chance from a set piece, but after 5 minutes of stoppage time, the encounter was over. It is hard to pull many negatives from the game, but perhaps we need to be a touch more clinical in front of goal. The game was a fantastic one to watch and we can look forward to Saturday's home clash with Stafford.

Woking: Bittner, Hutchinson, MacDonald, Pearce, Osano, Smith, Murray, Green, Sole (Lambu 83), McAllister (Berquez 88), Webb (Marum 90)

Subs Not Used: Gindre, Selley

Sent Off: MacDonald (85)

Booked: MacDonald, Webb, Sole, Murray, Pearce, Bittner.

Goals: Webb 8, McAllister 63.

Att: 2,739

My MOTM: Curtis Osano