Cards make early exit from Surrey Senior Cup

Woking 0 Ashford Town (Middx) 3
Surrey Senior Cup 1st Round
4th November 2014

Woking, the holders, were unceremoniously dumped out of the Surrey Senior Cup at the first hurdle by Ashford Town, currently riding high in the Combined Counties League Premier Division. It was a spirited performance by the visitors, who were considerably assisted by goalkeeper Tyler Tobin, who had the game of his life to keep the home side at bay.

On a cold, damp Kingfield evening Woking started with a strong line-up, many of whom would have been playing for a place in the side for this weekend's FA Cup tie at Wrexham. The only slight surprise was the sight of Conference top scorer Scott Rendell lining up in central defence.

Woking had far more of the ball than their opponents in the opening exchanges but were unable to break down a well-drilled defence.

However, twenty minutes into the game a rare Ashford attack saw the ball run loose inside the Woking area. With no defender reacting to the possible danger, Mark Bitmead nipped in to fire home for the visitors.

Worse was to follow. Rendell slipped the ball back to Aaron Howe in the Woking goal but the home 'keeper totally miskicked his attempted clearance leaving Max Webb with a simple tap-in to increase Ashford's lead.

Half-time: Woking 0 Ashford 2

The second period followed the same pattern with Woking taking the game to their opponents and looking to use the flanks to get in behind the Ashford defence. However, whenever they managed to do this they were met by the inspired Tobin in the visitors' goal who was able to repel everything which came his way.

The best chance for the home side came when Giuseppe Sole was tripped inside the box by the 'keeper. The normally reliable Rendell stepped up to fire the penalty low to the keeper's left but Tobin was equal to the challenge as he got down well to palm the ball away.

The corner count continued to creep up as the Cards piled on the pressure but apart from one effort, which hit a post, the visitors' defence held firm.

The final nail in the coffin on a miserable night for Woking came when Kieron Wright charged down a Howe clearance before delivering the ball into the six-yard area where Webb slammed home his second.

All credit to Ashford then for seeing off their more illustrious opponents on their own ground and making it through to the next round. Home fans will be hoping that there is no hangover for their team when they travel to North Wales on Sunday as they attempt to reach the second round of the FA Cup.


WOKING: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Mike Cestor, Keiran Murtagh, Giuseppe Sole, Kevin Betsy, John Nutter, Jack Marriott, John Goddard, Dean Morgan (Theo Lewis 40), Scott Rendell

Unused subs: Jake Cole, Josh Payne, Chris Arthur