WOKING 2 HALIFAX TOWN 2

3.00pm on Saturday 3 March 2007
Nationwide Conference

Out of form Woking hosted an out of form Halifax Town at Kingfield on Saturday.

The cards were boosted by the return of Tom Hutchinson and Matt Ruby in the back line. Karl finally resumed to his normal role in the middle of the park, along with Ollie Berquez who needed a good game to balance out his poor form of late. Neil Smith was on the bench, with a slight calf strain, but will no doubt be fighting fit for the crunch match against rivals Stevenage on Tuesday.

As the game kicked off, it was the home side that looked the brighter as the early goal was sought. Goma had an excellent game from start to finish and it was his trickery that led to the game's first opportunity. Some good work down the right hand side saw him send a teasing cross into the box, but Craig Mawson read the danger and came out and just got there ahead of Craig McAllister. Halifax were not going to lock up shop and play for a draw and they seemed to be able to put some neat passing moves together.

This was displayed when Chris Billy linked up well with Lewis Killeen, with the latter sending a shot high and wide into the Bellway stand. Although Woking were putting some good moves together, when they did not have the ball they were lacklustre. With time getting on and Woking not scoring, the lads started to get frustrated, as did the fans. And at the worst moment possible, disaster struck on 25 minutes, as the visitors took the lead against the run of play. A thundering run and snap shot form Chris Billy was sent towards goal, the ball beat Bittner, bounced of the post and Felix Bastians had the simple task of tapping in the opener.

Woking needed to react and Gez Sole seemed to be trying to make things work. Good work down the right saw Bunce take the ball round two men and sent his curling shot inches over the bar. Let truth be told, from my perspective, Danny Bunce was simply immense all afternoon. The rest of the half was not thrilling to watch, but just before half time, the Cards should have been level. A well timed run and through ball saw Gez free, he drew the keeper and sent the ball towards goal, but the shot licked the outside of the post and the score remained unchanged.

Half Time - Woking 0 Halifax 1

Woking needed to pull their fingers out and get back into the game quickly and that they did. Just 6 minutes in and Woking were on level terms. More good work from Goma down the right led to the goal. His cross was to the far post and Criag headed back across goal. The ball was partly cleared and Karl was on hand to thunder in a left footed volley into the bottom corner, leaving Mawson with no chance.

Just 5 minutes later and the cards had turned it around. This time it was Bunce that did the leg work and perhaps the least effective player on the pitch that applied the finish. Bunce beat two men down the left and sent the ball to the back of the area, Ollie hit a tame shot that was going wide, but the ball deflected into the bottom corner. A goal is a goal and Woking are due a slice of luck.

The home side looked more comfortable and Halifax struggled to impose themselves. They did, however, have a great chance to equalise with time running out. Lewis Killeen did well to go past Jason Pearce and sent a powerful drive towards goal. The ball went past Bittner and into the side netting. Goma again caused problems, but the cards seemed happy at 2-1.

In the last minute if added time they were made to pay. A long throw into the box was flicked on by Tom Hutchinson and into his own net. There was heart break around the ground, as an excellent second half performance was undone by one piece of bad luck and the cards had to settle for a point. It was a massive shame, as they really were worth the win. The boo?s around the ground at the whistle were completely unjust Let?s hope we can get a win on Tuesday against Boro.

Woking: Bittner, Pearce, Ruby, Hutchinson, Osano, Lambu (Marum 90), Berquez, Bunce, Murray, Sole, McAllister.

Subs Not Used: Gindre, Smith, Gier, Cockerill.

Booked: Osano.

Goals: Murray 51, Berquez 56.

Att: 1419

Sponsor's MoTM: Goma Lambu

My MOTM - Danny Bunce and Tom Hutchinson