Farnborough 2 Woking 1

3.00pm on Saturday 4 August 2007
Pre-season friendly

Two things usually accompany our visits to Cherrywood Road, extreme weather of one form or another and an indifferent Woking performance. This pre-season friendly yielded more of the same as the Cards went down to a disappointing defeat against a lively Farnborough side on a sweltering afternoon.

The only change from the starting line up, who played so impressively midweek against Brighton, was the return of Adam Green at left-back in place of Danny Bunce, who reverted to the bench. The 4-4-2 formation was also retained.

The Cards had an early attempt on goal when Marvin Morgan, who worked hard all afternoon, headed over from a Ruby long throw. However, after 9 minutes, Farnborough took the lead and what a glorious goal it was too. Adam Green was penalised for a foul just outside the box and up stepped Rob Saunders to curl an exquisite free-kick over the wall and into the top corner past Gindre?s outstretched hand.

With the Cards midfield being denied time and space and so struggling to get any hold on the game, opportunities were somewhat limited in the first-half and any that arose were mainly due to the persistence and strength of Morgan. First, he went close with a fierce struck shot, then not long afterwards he worked his way to the line and pulled back an excellent cross, which Charles, playing against his old team, just failed to get on the end of.

The longer the half progressed the more Farnborough grew in confidence and they began to knock the ball around stylishly using both flanks, much to the Cards frustration, which eventually culminated in a booking for Pattison, who didn?t enjoy the best of returns to his former club, for one over zealous tackle too many.

Just before half-time, the Cards almost conceded a second goal in bizarre circumstances. Gindre attempted to clear a pass back and looked horrified when the ball suddenly bobbled over his foot and headed towards the goal. He did well to recover the situation by running back and getting to the ball before the onrushing forward, and then showed excellent composure by dribbling round him and clearing the ball to safety much to the visiting fans relief.

Half-time Farnborough 1 Woking 0

There were no changes in personnel made during the break and the Cards started the half in livelier fashion. Once again it was Morgan, who was the danger man, showing good skill to create a decent shooting opportunity. Shortly afterwards, the Cards equalised when Morgan side-stepped two tackles and from the edge of the box curled his shot into the bottom far corner.

Any hopes of the Cards pushing on for a second goal were quickly dashed when Farnborough took the lead again, following a goalkeeping error. Gindre initially did well to fist clear a corner, however when the ball was pumped back into the box again, he totally missed his punch, allowing the centre-half Luke Byles to prod the ball home into an empty net.

The score-line could have been even more uncomfortable for the Cards had their centre-forward not then missed a glorious opportunity with his head from close range.

Following the usual flurry of substitutions, Maledon for Pattison, Shinn for Sole, Bunce for Ruby (who looked to have injured his ankle following an innocuous tackle) and McNerny for Green, and with Farnborough tiring, the Cards at last put Farnborough under some pressure and carved out several decent opportunities that weren?t taken. Morgan was the first culprit putting the ball over the bar from almost point-blank range following good work from Lambu. Then Morgan returned the favour to Goma and he should have done much better when he could only side foot the ball tamely into the goalkeeper?s arms from only five yards out.

Although Woking improved in the second-half, they suffered a rather uncomfortable and unconvincing afternoon in the heat playing against a side that?s three divisions below them. Farnborough, at times, looked quicker and more cohesive and there?s no doubt there?s a lot of work to be done in the week ahead to ensure that we?re able to compete with Rushden in our first league match of the season next Saturday.

Woking: Gindre, Gasson, Ruby, Lorraine, Green, Gray, Pattison, Lambu, Sole, Morgan, Charles.

Attendance: 504.