WOKING 4 GUILDFORD 2

21st February 2007
U18?s Southern Youth League

Despite scoring four quality goals and maintaining their unbeaten record in the league, this was a less than inspiring performance from the Woking u18 youngsters.

One could argue that the Woking players are all in their first year with the Academy and many of the squad had not played together competitively before, in mitigation one could also reference the fact that they adopted a new formation on the night, however, that would be to take away from a lively and determined Guildford performance.

The game did not start well as Woking trialist Jay Carayol passed the ball back to keeper Ross Warner, despite having time to take a touch Ross swung a boot as the ball bobbled and Guildford went in front.

Woking 0 Guildford 1

On seventeen minutes Delano Sam-Yorke cut in from the right and crossed the ball into the Guildford box finding the head of Pekan Samsdeen whose effort crashed off the crossbar.
Then on twenty-four minutes Delano Sam-Yorke provided another assist as he flicked on a header to Ricardo Williams whose shot was held well by the keeper.

Woking won a corner and Sam Robinson flighted the ball beautifully into the danger zone, it was met by Joe Mcnerny and with a powerful header the ball flew back across the keeper into the top right hand side of the Guildford goal.

Woking 1 Guildford 1

Guildford took advantage of the experimental Woking formation and gained the numerical initiative in midfield thereby preventing Woking from getting into their more usual passing game. That said, the vast majority of the offensive plays were coming from Woking, consequently it appeared evident that it would only be a matter of time before the clearly more potent Woking strike force would show its worth.

On cue with five minutes remaining in the half, a neat ball over the top of the Guildford defence from Grant Edgecock found the pacey Pekan Samsdeen outstripping his marker and firing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal from 18 yards out.

Half time: Woking 2 Guildford 1

Graham Baker rang the changes at half time with Jay Carayol, Maxwell Nzeadi and Sam Robinson coming off to be replaced by Ian Hester, Rob Lee and Adam Gatcum.

The nature of the game continued into the second period with Woking creating all the chances; on thirteen minutes Joe Mcnerny flighted a great ball into the path of Pekan Samsdeen only for Pekan to fire the ball over the crossbar; but the greater Woking firepower was to be decisive as just two minutes later Delano Sam-Yorke went on a nice run and finished by firing the ball home with his left foot off the inside of the Guildford post.

Woking 3 Guildford 1

Five minutes later and Chris Dean crossed in a ball from the left that witnessed Delano Sam-Yorke attempting to pass the ball home but his effort again flew over.

Probably the best goal of the game came on thirty minutes as Chris Dean and Ian Hester combined well down the left with a swift interchange of passes and when the ball was squared to Ricardo Williams he took a touch and fired the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the Guildford goal.

Woking 4 Guildford 1

A few minutes later and Delano Sam-Yorke was given a straight red for alleged violent conduct following a challenge from behind and by necessity the game changed; Woking sacrificed territorial advantage and give credit to Guildford they worked their socks off in an attempt to create a goal scoring opportunity.

That opportunity came a few minutes later as Guildford swung in a corner from the left, which somehow evaded two Woking defenders, Ross Worner, the Woking keeper was left exposed and caught flatfooted as Guildford scored their goal.

Woking 4 Guildford 2

The rest of the game was played out without much to write about as Woking successfully attempted to sit behind the ball and protect their lead.

Full time: Woking 4 Guildford 2

As indicated at the outset, despite the win and the four quality goals this was not a convincing performance from the Woking youngsters and I am sure there will be much to work on at the training ground.

Difficult to identify a contender for man of the match, the goal scorers all took their opportunities well, Luke baker did well in midfield whilst Pekan Samsdeen showed spirit up front but most unusually I think the joint man of the match award should go to two subs who came on and appeared to not put a foot wrong.

MOTM: Rob Lee and Ian Hester.

Squad: Ross Worner, Chris Dean, Jay Carayol, Joe Mcnerny, Maxwell Nzeadi, Grant Edgecock, Luke Baker, Sam Robinson, Delano Sam-Yorke, Ricardo Williams, Pekan Samsdeen.

Subs used: Ian Hester, Rob Lee, Adam Gatcum