HALIFAX TOWN 1 WOKING 0

Halifax Town 1 Woking 0
Tuesday 11 September 2007

It?s grim up north. Woking fell to a second successive away defeat against a Halifax side who extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

The travelling 28 fans in the away end saw Frank Gray line up with a back four of Danny Bunce, Paul Lorraine, Jay Gasson, and Matt Ruby. Jerome Maledon replaced Bradley Quamina in the centre, partnering Matt Pattison and supporting wide men Goma Lambu and Giuseppe Sole. Carl Gibbs continued up front with Marvin Morgan.

Both sides enjoyed possession in a scrappy opening to the game. Marvin had a shot blocked early on when he cut inside the Halifax defence in the 5th minute. Shortly afterwards, at the other end, Paul Lorraine headed away a low cross from inside the area. He picked himself up quickly as another cross came in, the ball fell to Jon Shaw, but Lorro blocked his shot at the expense of a corner. Shaw put Jay Gasson under pressure as the centre came in but Jay got to the header first and cleared the danger.

Matt Ruby blocked another Halifax attempt on goal in the 11th minute and a minute later, Andy Campbell found himself clear of the Woking defence in space inside the area. Nick Gindre came out and claimed at Campbell?s feet at the second attempt.

Halifax started to put on the pressure as the half went on, winning a freekick at the expense of Paul Lorraine midway through the first half, for which the Woking defender was booked by referee Collin. Nick misjudged the set piece, but Matt Ruby was covering behind the Cards? keeper and cleared under pressure.

Matt Ruby then miscalculated and miss hit a back pass to Nick. Nick rushed out, but couldn?t get hold of the ball, instead doing well to push it out for a corner. The first corner bought about another one, which was cleared up field.

Woking had a couple of long throws cleared from inside the Halifax area as the half came to a close, but failed to test keeper Craig Mawson.

Half-time: Halifax Town 0 Woking 0

Halifax shot out of the blocks as soon as the whistle blew. An early freekick was headed away by Woking and Gez and Danny were pressured into conceding a throw in as Halifax looked to go up a gear.

The Shaymen won another freekick in the 57th minute, at the expense of Jerome Maledon. The set play was tapped to Ryan Toulson, whose shot along the ground went well wide of Nick Gindre?s right hand post.

The only goal of the game arrived in the 62nd minute. Another freekick was crossed into the Woking area, but cleared as far as Anthony Griffith standing on the edge of the area. The Halifax midfielder unleashed a volley that hit the underside of Nick Gindre?s bar and went in to make it 1-0 to the home side.

Woking found themselves defending another set play 10 minutes later. Jay Gasson was penalised by the referee in the corner and the resulting cross was headed away for a corner by Matt Ruby. The corner came in and was headed down and wide by Jon Shaw.

Halifax continued to press, looking for a second. Cortez Belle saw his goal ward bound shot blocked, Halifax kept the ball and Andy Campbell got hold of it, hitting an instinctive shot which went well wide. Nick Gindre was the saviour in the 78th minute, as Campbell saw another strike come to nothing. Matt Pattison was deemed guilty of handball 25 yards out. Campbell stepped up and unleashed a thunderous attempt, which Nick appeared to touch onto the post.

Frank made two substitutions with the Cards looking to rescue a point towards the end of the second half. Adam Green replaced Carl Gibbs which pushed Gez up front from his position on the left. Izedin Harusha also came on, in place of Goma Lambu.

Matt Ruby saw his looping header go just over when well placed and Rubes turned provider in the 89th minute when his long throw was headed on by Lorro, but beyond everyone.

Gez had an attempt just before injury time. He let a long ball from the back go over his shoulder, and hit a shot on the half volley which cleared Mawson?s goal. Izzy also got in on the action as the minutes ticked away. Another Matt Ruby long throw fell to the forward who got his head to it, but Mawson was well placed and saved his effort.

Halifax held on for the 3 points and left Woking without a victory at the Shay in recent years. Never an easy place to go, praise must go to the 28 hardy souls who made the trip on a Tuesday night.

Woking: Nick Gindre, Matt Ruby, Paul Lorraine, Jay Gasson, Danny Bunce, Goma Lambu (Izedin Harusha 87) , Jerome Maledon, Matt Pattison, Giuseppe Sole, Marvin Morgan, Carl Gibbs (Adam Green 74)

Unused Subs: Ross Worner, David Shin, James Younghusband

Booked: Paul Lorraine

Attendance: 1304

My MOTM: The supporters coach has nominated Paul Lorraine as their MOTM