LCS Events
Vanarama National League
12:30pm - SaturdaySat 26th AprilApr 2025
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 2,711

Woking
Woking
2-2

Eastleigh
Eastleigh

Ahead of the Game: Eastleigh (H)

William Bewsey
1:34pm, Wed 23rd Apr 2025
Woking vs Eastleigh
Vanarama National League
Saturday 26th April 2025
12:30 Kick-Off


Woking’s final home fixture of the season sees them host an Eastleigh side sitting two points above the Cards, with both sides eyeing up the possibility of a top half finish.

Such a feat would be an impressive achievement for Neal Ardley and his coaching staff, considering that when he was appointed Woking manager back in mid-December, only a point separated the Cards from the first of four relegation places. In fact, 35 points in 22 games is the fifth best return for any side in the division since that point of the season, with only champions elect Barnet having lost less times in the league.

With Woking and Eastleigh both in the group of seven confirmed teams for next season’s National League, an open game of football is expected, but the likes of Inih Effiong, Dale Gorman and Adam Chicksen may not play after Effiong missed Monday’s win with injury, whilst Gorman and Chicksen went off.

Opposition Watch
It’s been another solid season at National League level for Eastleigh, who will play their twelfth straight season in the fifth tier. A run of eight games without a win put an end to any playoff hopes Kelvin Davis and his side may have had, but they got back to winning ways on Easter Monday thanks to Chris Maguire’s goal against Yeovil.

Serial National League goalscorer Paul McCallum has seen his game time limited this season, with just nine goals in the league compared to 31 last season. Top scorer for the Spitfires is the impressive Tyrese Shade, a versatile forward with twelve goals after nearly being promoted with Solihull Moors last season.

Elsewhere, imposing centre half Ludwig Francilette has eight for the season along with veteran Maguire, but Eastleigh’s last away win was over two months ago at Boston. With Woking now possessing the fifth best home record in the division, it’ll be a challenge for the Spitfires to dish out a rare home defeat.

Around the Ground
Tickets are available here.

Remember to vote for your Player of the Season here, voting closes before kick off on Saturday.

Please make an effort to stay behind after the game, as the players will be showing their appreciation before making their way to the Cardinals Bar.

Please also note that gates open at 11.

Last Time Out
24th September 2024 feels like a long time ago. These sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Silverlake Stadium, with 1-0 to the hosts turning into 2-1 before Maguire equalised ten minutes from time.

Last season, a goal from former Card Solomon Nwabuokei, who has played just four times this season due to injury problems, was enough for a vital 1-0 Eastleigh win at the Laithwaite back in April. Woking had registered three points at the Silverlake by the same scoreline thanks to Dennon Lewis in October 2023.

Of the 28 meetings between the sides, Woking have won nine, Eastleigh eight, and there have been eleven draws.

Match Report | Cards and Spitfires share the points

William Bewsey
2:35pm, Sat 26th Apr 2025

Woking 2-2 Eastleigh
Vanarama National League
26th April 2025

A Woking side decimated by injuries and illness hosted Eastleigh at the Laithwaite for their last home game of the season, with starts for Ollie Webber and Jacob Jones key standouts, with the Cards only able to name four subs.

A fast paced start saw the Spitfires try to make their mark when Tyrese Shade was released in on goal, but an excellent recovery challenge from Matt Ward ended the danger.

Eastleigh had the lead when a seemingly long free kick from Ben Close was disguised beautifully as a through ball, and Tyrese Shade slotted past Ollie Webber to give the Spitfires the lead after just under a quarter of an hour.

A flurry of Woking chances with 40 minutes gone saw O’Brien and Ward have shots blocked, before Ashford fired over from close range. O’Brien would level the match up minutes later though, when he headed home a perfect delivery from the left foot of Jacob Jones into the bottom corner.

Woking ended the first half strongly, with Hinds and O’Brien linking up brilliantly before the former forced a save at Joe McDonnell’s near post.


Half-time: Woking 1-1 Eastleigh

The visitors nearly retook the lead three minutes into the second half when Shade found Chris Maguire, but his effort was beaten away by Webber.

Eastleigh would make it two on the hour mark when a fantastic run from Shade was finished off in style. He nailed a strike into the top left corner, giving Webber no chance.

Tariq Hinds tried to lift the Cards with just over ten minutes left when he drove forwards and unleashed a low shot just past the post. They would find their second equaliser of the game with four minutes of normal time left when a fantastic free kick from Jamie Andrews beat McDonnell and soared into the top corner.

Woking would have one more chance in injury time but a good low save from McDonnell denied Ashford, and the points were shared.

A respectable way to bow out of home action for another season, with just the trip to Sutton left for Ardley’s side.

Woking:Webber, Moss, Akinola, Okoli, Jones (Lawson 81’), Hinds, Andrews, O’Brien (Vincent 72’), Ward (Osude 61’), Ashford, Walker.

Subs:, Sayers

Goals: O’Brien 42’, Andrews 86’

Bookings: Ward 54’, Lawson 93’

Eastleigh: McDonnell; Brindley, Panter, Francilette, Fernandez (Semenyo 45’), Vokins; Close (Humphries 95’), Waruih; Maguire; Shade, McCallum (Tshikuna 45’).

Subs: Scott,, Hudson, Nwabuokei, Semenyo, Underhill, Tshikuna

Goals: Shade 14’, 60’

Bookings: Maguire 94’

Attendance: 2711

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Lewis Walker was chosen for his application in an unfamiliar role.

Woking 2-2 Eastleigh | Neal Ardley Interview

Woking 2-2 Eastleigh | Aiden O'Brien Interview

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