Cards take the Cherries at Kingfield
Andy Turner
12:00am, Sun 21st Jul 2013
Woking 2 AFC Bournemouth 1
Pre-Season Friendly
20th July 2013
Woking overcame a mixed-strength AFC Bournemouth side which included ex- Cards Shwan Jalal and Jayden Stockley in a match that was played at a leisurely pace, with both keepers seeing little action.
With the exception of the absent Kevin Betsy, this could be close to Garry Hill’s starting line-up come August 10th. Aaron Howe was in goal with a back four of Adam Newton, Jack Parkinson, Brett Johnson and John Nutter. A five-man midfield consisting of Mark Ricketts, Lee Sawyer and Josh Payne in the middle with Gavin Williams and Anthony McNamee out wide. Gavin McCallum was the lone striker.
On an overcast but sultry afternoon, Bournemouth kicked off towards the Gosden Stand and soon took the lead. In the 6th minute, Woking failed to clear the ball in their area, allowing Stephen Purches to try a shot which deflected to Jayden Stockley, who netted from six yards. Despite this early set-back, Woking hit back quickly. Gavin Williams, who looked dangerous down the left side, got clear of his marker and freed John Nutter, who crossed towards Gavin McCullum only for the Bournemouth defence to clear. Moments later, however, confusion between the defence and Jalal allowed Mark Ricketts to dispossess the keeper and McCallum shot into the empty net for the equaliser.
Bournemouth hit back and a superb crossfield pass by Stockley found Wes Fogden on the right, but Aaron Howe collected his cross. After 16 minutes Gavin McCallum, who looked sharp up front all match, tried a speculative shot from 25 yards which went just past the upright. A couple of minutes later Josh Payne was found in the Bournemouth area and passed to McCallum but Bournemouth cleared at the expense of a corner. Adam Newton took it to the far post where Jack Parkinson headed goalwards only for the keeper to catch easily.
Woking played a lot of neat football in the first forty-five minutes, with Ricketts, Payne and Sawyer linking up well in midfield. Bournemouth finished the half on the front foot, however, with the influential Donal McDermott surging into the Woking area and crossing to Stockley, who was unable to connect with his head.
Half-time: Woking 1 AFC Bournemouth 1
There were no substitutions at the start of the second half. McCallum was soon in the action, getting into the Bournemouth area but his shot was charged down. Woking were having the better of the early stages of the half and after 51 minutes a lovely crossfield move between Sawyer, McCallum and McNamee saw the last-named cross dangerously into the area only to see the ball safely gathered by the 'keeper.
Anthony McNamee was having a good start to the second half and was looking dangerous down the Woking right, putting in a string of menacing crosses, one of which after 58 minutes nearly led to a McCallum goal, Wes Fogden intervening with a last-ditch clearance.
In the 62nd minute, Oliver Taylor replaced Gavin Williams and this started a raft of substitutions for both sides. Sam Beasant replaced Aaron Howe in the Woking goal, shortly followed by Giuseppe Sole and George Frith coming on for Gavin McCallum and Mark Ricketts. It was good to see Gez back in a Woking shirt on his home ground and he nearly scored in the 75th minute. Josh Payne passed to Oliver Taylor on the edge of the area and his shot was saved by Jalal. Sole, following up, couldn't quite control his shot and the ball went narrowly wide.
Woking had enjoyed the better of the second half and capped it off with a second, and winning, goal. In the 84th minute, a simple but effective long ball forward released Oliver Taylor, who raced clear of the Bournemouth defence and showed excellent calmness to shoot past the ex-Woking keeper.
This was a good workout for Woking with many encouraging performances throughout. The defence looked solid and the midfield trio of Sawyer, Payne and Ricketts gelled well. Gavin Williams worked tirelessly down the left and got up to support McCallum when needed, McCallum himself looked sharp and took his goal well. Anthony McNamee had a good second half and produced many jinking runs down the right and put over some dangerous crosses. Oliver Taylor looked comfortable up front and took his goal very well.
Woking: Aaron Howe (Sam Beasant 63), Adam Newton, John Nutter, Mark Ricketts (George Frith 68), Jack Parkinson, Brett Johnson, Lee Swayer (Niall Wright 79), Josh Payne (Renee Steer 79), Gavin Williams (Oliver Taylor 62), Anthony McNamee, Gavin McCallum (Giuseppe Sole 68).
AFC Bournemouth: Shwan Jalal, Bailey Cargoill, Wes Thomas, Wes Fogden, Ian Harte, Stephen Purches, Donal McDermott, Jayden Stockley, Miles Addison, Richard Hughes, Sam Matthews (subs used: Jack Bayly, Jordan Chiedozie, Mark Molesley, Josh Wakefield plus 2 unknowns)
Attendance: Not Given