Woking 1 Wrexham 1
Vanarama National League
5th October 2019

The Cards went into this match after suffering back-to-back defeats to Bromley and Boreham Wood, but their opponents also tasted defeat on Tuesday night at Solihull Moors. Wrexham were some people’s promotion favourites, but have been disappointing and sat 19th going into their clash at Kingfield.

Manager Alan Dowson made one change to the team that lost to Boreham Wood, with Shaun Donnellan coming in for Godfrey Poku. Wrexham made two changes after their midweek defeat, with captain Shaun Pearson out through suspension, and replaced by Michael Chambers, whilst Jazzi Barnum-Bobb was replaced by Adam Barton.

The Cards kicked off at Kingfield, and in the opening few minutes, Wrexham were moving the ball nicely without really troubling Craig Ross in goal. After four minutes, a long kick from Ross caused a miscommunication between Wrexham keeper and defence, and Jamar Loza was able to get in behind, but his driven shot was blocked by Dibble from a tight angle. Wrexham continued to get balls into the box, but it was Woking who were having the majority of chances. After 16 minutes, some brilliant football from Woking saw the ball find Dave Tarpey on the edge of the box, and his shot was deflected just over the bar.

But after 23 minutes, Ross was called into action. A cross in from Carrington found Luke Young, who hit a fierce volley which was heading towards the top corner, but a flying save by Ross saw him tip the ball over the bar. Just over 10 minutes later, the opposition keeper was also needed. Moussa Diarra headed down to Shaun Donnellan, and his strike towards goal was well parried by Christian Dibble, who hurt himself in the process.

Just before half time, Jennings found Oswell with a pullback, but his point blank shot was well saved by Woking keeper Ross. This was to be the last notable action of the half. Both sides had chances to take a lead, but both keepers appeared to stand out in the first half.

Half-time: Woking 0 Wrexham 0

Wrexham came flying out of the blocks straight after half time, and the deadlock was broken just two minutes after kick off for the second half. Some neat Wrexham play, along with some questionable Woking defending, saw James Jennings given space to fire the ball past the helpless Ross. Wrexham continued this pressure, and a few minutes after the goal, Rutherford found Luke Summerfield on the edge of the box, but he curled over the bar.

For the next 15 minutes, Wrexham continued to keep the Cards frustrated, whilst creating more chances of their own, with Oswell having a header saved by Ross, before Rutherford put a ball into the box which just missed everyone. Oswell then sent Jennings through inside the area, but another brilliant save by Ross kept it at 1-0.

Dowson decided to bring Jake Hyde and Toby Edser off, and they were replaced by Ibrahim Meite and Paul Hodges, whereas Wrexham took off Carrington for Mark Harris. The Cards started to have more influence up front, and Dave Tarpey put a low ball into the box, and it was just inches away from a Meite touch which would’ve levelled the game.

Loza found space on the edge of the box, and curled an attempt towards the roof of the net, but Dibble was able to tip it over. On 76 minutes, a great ball in from Donnellan took a touch and nestled into the back of the net. It looked like either Ferdinand, Meite or a Wrexham defender touched the ball in, but more importantly, the Cards had levelled the match.

The substitute Harris almost put Wrexham back in front with a header that struck the post, but it was Woking who looked to push for a winner, as impressive pressing from Meite saw him snatch the ball and curl a shot just over the bar. Woking had free kicks and corners that didn’t trouble the Wrexham defence, who comfortably saw out the remainder of the game.

The Cards will feel that this is a positive result, especially considering the chances that Wrexham had to double their lead, and will be grateful to Ross, who continues to impress in goal for Woking, making some superb saves to keep them in the game. Credit has to be given to the substitutes Hodges and Meite, who changed the game and caused problems for Wrexham’s defence. Despite now being 7 games without a win, Dowson has installed a never say die attitude into the players, and he will be happy with his team’s effort in this match.

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 2 Jack Cook, 3 Josh Casey, 4 Manny Parry, 6 Moussa Diarra, 7 Dave Tarpey (10 Max Kretzschmar 86’), 8 Kane Ferdinand, 9 Jake Hyde (18 Ibrahim Meite 63’), 16 Shaun Donnellan, 20 Toby Edser(11 Paul Hodges 63’) 22 Jamar Loza

Unused subs: 1 Sam Howes, 12 Nathan Collier

Goals: Ferdinand 76’

Bookings: Jamar Loza 90+2’

Wrexham 21 Christian Dibble, 3 James Jennings, 6 Luke Lawlor, 7 Luke Summerfield, 8 Luke Young, 11 Bobby Grant, 12 Jason Oswell, 13 Mark Carrington (Mark Harris 64’), 14 Paul Rutherford, 15 Adam Barton, 23 Michael Chambers

Unused subs: 31 Dawid Szczepaniak, 9 Ben Tollitt, 10 Devonte Redmond, 20 Akil Wright

Goals: Jennings 47’

Bookings: Jennings 45’, Oswell 92’

Referee: Garreth Rhodes

Attendance: 2061

Sponsor’s Man of the Match: Manny Parry