Those Woking fans who came along to Kingfield this afternoon hoping ? even expecting ? to see something like the side which will line up in a week?s time against Altrincham were in for a big surprise. With a back four consisting of two Academy players, a trialist and a player who has been told he does not figure in Kim?s plans, one can only hope that the performance and result were no guide at all to how we will perform next Saturday.
Those missing, presumably injured ? which in itself is worrying at this stage of the pre-season ? included Tom Hutchinson, Paul Lorraine, Danny Bunce, Gez Sole and Bradley Quamina.
So, the Cards lined up with Nick Gindre in goal, a back four of Matt Gray, Dan Sintim, Colin Miles and Ashley Quashie-Pownall, with newly-signed Kunle just in front of them. Ahead were Joel Ledgister and Abdou El Kholti on the right and left flanks, Matt Pattison and Paolo Vernazza in midfield and Manny Williams as the lone striker.
Little of note occurred in the first twenty minutes apart from some nervous clearances into touch from Dan Sintim. The Bees then began to exert more pressure, with the impressive Alan Connell always looking threatening and with some good prompting by Gary Smith in midfield. Connell fired off several shots on goal, one of which required a smart save from Nick Gindre.
Cards fans were given something to applaud when some clever play by Abdou El Kholti won a corner but nothing came of it. Shortly afterwards
Brentford?s big number 9, Nathan Elder, increasingly got in the action, heading across the face of goal before Connell rained in a couple more shots. Woking?s best move of the half came in the 35th minute when a swift attack saw Matt Gray sweep the ball out to Ledgister, who crossed and then fired just wide of the post. The Bees, however, should have opened their account when Marvin Williams shot hurriedly and well wide.
Half-time:
As against
Brentford?s second goal was somewhat fortuitous when Glenn Poole?s intended cross hit the far upright and ricocheted back into the net.
The only real hope for
The Bees? third goal came from sloppy defending. Abdou El Kholti, now at left back, failed to deal with a ball forward and his pass back was under-hit. Marvin Williams nipped in to make it 3-0.
Goma Lambu and Manny Williams tried to put some moves together out on the right but there was little end product and Liam Marum seemed unable to get into the game.
Brentford?s fourth goal came in the 65th minute. Glenn Poole, receiving the ball from a corner, slammed it across the area, where trialist Marc Phillips directed it into the
Another enterprising run by Sam-Yorke into the area earned him the penalty which he had nearly gained earlier in the half, as another trialist, James Phillips, illegally halted his progress. The Bees? keeper, Seb Brown, got his hand to Manny Williams?s spot kick but couldn?t prevent it going in.
The Bees spurned a chance to make it six when Glenn Poole?s dummy disconcerted the
This was a disappointing and puzzling afternoon for
Let?s hope that we can look back on this match as a pre-season aberration!
Attendance: 966
Last pre-season friendly:
