LCS Events
3:00pm - SaturdaySat 9th SeptemberSep 2023
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 2524

Woking
Woking
1 - 1

Solihull
Solihull Moors

Match Preview and Guide | Solihull Moors (H)

William Bewsey
11:42am, Tue 5th Sep 2023
Woking vs. Solihull Moors
Vanarama National League
Saturday 9th September 2023
15:00 Kick-Off


Woking welcome the only remaining unbeaten side in the National League to the Laithwaite on Saturday when they welcome Solihull Moors.

After back-to-back clean sheets in their last two games and picking up seven points in their last three games, Darren Sarll's side will hope to secure three home wins on the bounce, against a Moors side who have won all three of their away games so far this season, beating Ebbsfleet, Boreham Wood and Oldham respectively.

Darren Sarll has hinted at some possible incomings ahead of Saturday, with the boost of Jermaine Anderson completing 30 minutes off the bench on Saturday meaning that Woking will have options in midfield, with Manny Oyeleke not far away either.

Important Entry Information
Following supporter feedback, the following changes have been made for fans when entering the ground.

1. Season Ticket Holders for any area may enter the ground at the Kingfield Road entrance through the gates located between the turnstiles and the gatehouse.
2. Season Ticket Holders wishing to continue to use the Westfield Turnstiles may continue to do so.
3. Pre-paid (advance) and walk-up tickets will continue to enter designated gates.
4. All cash gates will also have terminals to accept credit cards.

Around the Ground
Ticket pricing and other details are available here.

Enjoy our £4 pint happy hour offer on Madri, Carling and Cold River Cider! The offer runs from 12:30 to 13:30, and then post-match until the bar closes at 20:00 sharp.

Ukraine vs. England in the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifiers will be shown in Cardinals Bar from 17:00.

Opposition Watch
After a disappointing season last time out saw Moors finish 15th on the back of play-off final heartbreak against Grimsby Town, the decision was made for Neal Ardley to leave the club in late June, just before the start of pre season. His replacement, Andy Whing, who had managed Banbury United for three years, earning them promotion to the National League North and then surviving in his first season, seemed like a wildcard choice for a club who had been so close to the EFL.

However, Whing has overseen a huge turnover, with star man Andrew Dallas gone to Barnsley, as well as a number of other Moors stalwarts. Incomings have included former Woking striker Connor Hall from Chorley, young full back Joe Newton from Havant and Waterlooville, attacking midfielder Matt Warburton from Halifax, as well as Birmingham City prospect Nico Gordon on loan.

With three goals apiece, strikers Mark Beck and Josh Kelly are joint top scorers with three goals each, with Moors scoring 14 so far and conceding just 7 in their opening games, as they have won four and drawn three. Meanwhile, one of the best players in the league over the past few years, Joe Sbarra is yet to feature for Solihull this season, which is testament to the side Whing has built and their opening run of form.

Last Time Out
Ricky Korboa's second half goal was the difference between the sides in late April at the ARMCO Arena, as Woking ran out 1-0 winners in their last game of the 2023/24 regular season.

The Cards completed a double over Solihull last season, with James Daly and Kyran Lofthouse goals either side of half time, along with a Jamey Osborne red card in the second half giving Woking a 2-0 victory at the Laithwaite in late September 2023.

This fixture tends to be one that favours the home side, with the 11 fixtures since 2016/17 resulting in 6 wins for the Cards, 4 for the Moors and 1 draw. Woking have won 5 of their 6 home fixtures with Solihull.

Match Report | Cards in entertaining stalemate with Moors

William Bewsey
5:06pm, Sat 9th Sep 2023
Woking 1-1 Solihull Moors
Vanarama National League
9th September 2023

On a boiling hot Saturday afternoon, where temperatures were above 30c, Woking welcomed Solihull Moors to the Laithwaite, who included former Card Connor Hall on their bench, with Moors being the only unbeaten side left in the league.

Darren Sarll made two changes to the side who held Maidenhead United to a goalless draw last time out, with Greg Taylor and Matt Robinson dropping to the bench for Luke Wilkinson and Manny Oyeleke, with the latter making his first league start since signing from Chesterfield in the summer.

Woking kicked off towards the Leslie Gosden Stand, but it was the Moors who thought they had taken the lead after 5 minutes after Josh Kelly headed past Will Jaaskelainen, but the linesman immediately put his flag up for offside.
However, 17 minutes in, an excellent through ball from Jamey Osborne saw Kelly through on goal, and his finish was rolled into the back of the net.

After another Moors move saw the linesman put his flag up again, Woking had a golden chance to level. A great ball from Zak Bradshaw saw Ricky Korboa brought down by Tommy Simkin, and the referee pointed to the spot. However, Padraig Amond’s penalty was well saved by Simkin down the middle.

Korboa kept hunting for the equaliser, and his shot from just inside the box stung the palms of Simkin on 28 minutes, before a rather bizarre moment saw a good chance for the visitors spurned.

A harmless cross looked to be dealt with by Jaaskelainen, but a touch from Dan Moss meant that when the Finn picked up the ball, referee Aaron Farmer signalled for an indirect free kick for a pass back. Matty Warburton blasted the ball wide of Jaaskelainen’s near post with nearly every Woking player positioned on the line.

With the extreme heat having an effect on what was a relatively flat last 20 minutes, the away side went into half time one up, after Amond’s penalty miss left Woking goalless.

Half-time: Woking 0-1 Solihull

Darren Sarll made a change at half time, replacing Jim Kellermann with Jermaine Anderson, and the Cards had their leveller on 53 minutes. A superb header from Tunji Akinola saw the ball drop inside the box for Amond, whose finish was calm and composed past Simkin.

However, another brilliant through ball saw Callum Maycock spurn a golden chance straight from kick off, as the midfielder raced through on goal, but was denied by the inside of the post with Jaaskelainen well beaten.

On 75 minutes, great work from Robinson saw his cut back fired just over by Anderson, with Woking beginning to dominate the play.

After a Woking break into stoppage time, Nana Boateng’s cut back was clearly blocked by a hand, but somehow referee Aaron Farmer waved the appeals away. A Josh Casey corner was met by Scott Cuthbert, but he couldn’t direct his header on target.

That was it as the unbeaten Moors kept their record, with Woking feeling slightly aggrieved near the end, but a point means it’s four unbeaten for the Cards, and a strong second half showing means there’s reasons for optimism ahead of next week’s trip to Hartlepool.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Luke Wilkinson, Padraig Amond, Manny Oyeleke (Robinson 60’), Ricky Korboa (Boateng 85’), Tunji Akinola, Jim Kellermann (Anderson 45’), Zak Bradshaw.

Unused subs: Willmott, Taylor

Goals: Amond 53’

Bookings: Oyeleke 18’, Boateng 89’, Oyeleke 92’

Solihull Moors: Tommy Simkin, James Clarke, Jamey Osborne, Kyle Morrison, Callum Maycock, Josh Kelly (Beck 77’), Matty Warburton (Stevens 69’), Gus Mafuta, Richard Stearman, Jay Benn, Kade Craig

Unused subs: Newton, Brogan, Hall

Goals: Kelly 17’

Bookings: Mafuta 24’, Clarke 40’, Morrison 79’

Referee: Aaron Farmer

Attendance: 2524

Man of the Match: Ricky Korboa
WOKING LINEUP
22Will Jaaskelainen
2Dan Moss
3Josh Casey
6Luke Wilkinson
4Scott Cuthbert
16Tunji Akinola
17Jim Kellermann ('46)
20Zak Bradshaw
21Manny Oyeleke ('61)
7Ricky Korboa ('86)
10Padraig Amond
BENCH
5Greg Taylor
12Matt Robinson ('61)
23Jermaine Anderson ('46)
8Robbie Willmott
15Nana Boateng ('86)
Solihull Moors LINEUP
1Tommy Simkin
2James Clarke
20Jay Benn
6Kyle Morrison
19Richard Stearman
27Kade Craig
4Jamey Osborne
8Callum Maycock
12Gus Mafuta
11Matty Warburton ('68)
10Josh Kelly ('77)
BENCH
3Joe Newton
16Max Brogan
9Mark Beck ('77)
14Jack Stevens ('68)
15Connor Hall

Woking 1-1 Solihull Moors | Extended Match Highlights

Darren Sarll Interview | Woking 1-1 Solihull Moors

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