Match Report | Cards earn point at Roots Hall

Southend United 1 Woking 1
Vanarama National League
4th October 2022

Woking earned a point at Roots Hall in a 1-1 draw with Southend United on Tuesday evening in the Vanarama National League.

Reece Grego-Cox’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Marcus Dackers’ equaliser in the second half.

The Cards remain in the play-off places while Southend drop to 13th.

Darren Sarll’s starting XI had two changes from Saturday’s comprehensive victory at Halifax Town, with Scott Cuthbert and Jim Kellermann dropping out for Joe McNerney and Jermaine Anderson.

As has been a common theme in games so far this season, Woking started strong. Grego-Cox and Lofthouse both went close with efforts ten minutes in, following tidy moves on the wings.

The fast start was rewarded as Grego-Cox scored his third goal in the last two games, turning well on the edge of the box following a throw-in, before arrowing an effort past a helpless Andeng Ndi in the hosts’ net. 0-1.

James Daly was also looking to continue his fine form and had an effort go wide for a corner twenty minutes in following a strong run from his own half, shrugging off two challenges.

Southend had their first good chance of the game through ex-Card Jake Hyde, but his effort after a long throw into the box caused Craig Ross no problems.

Bookings were picked up by Dan Moss and Kyran Lofthouse on 30 and 40 minutes.

As the ball was hung back in the box following a corner, the lead was almost doubled just before the break as Lofthouse managed to guide a header towards the top right corner, but he was denied expertly by Andeng Ndi.

Half-time: Southend United 0 Woking 1

Woking were the first to create in the second half with Lofthouse at the heart of the action again, driving towards the edge of the box before crossing low across the face of goal. Attackers were incoming, but it was just out of reach at the far post.

Jermaine Anderson picked up a booking on 49 minutes for a lunge 20 yards from goal. The resulting free-kick, whilst in a dangerous area, was put high and wide of Ross’ goal.

The pressure was mounting on the Cards defence, and after 20 minutes of standing firm and limiting Southend to possession and numerous half-chances, Marcus Dackers latched onto a loose ball and volleyed past Craig Ross from 12 yards on 66 minutes. 1-1.

The Cards regained control of the game for the final 15 minutes following a booking to Hobson for the hosts. Yellows were also distributed to Southend’s Husin and Lopata, and Casey, Daly and Wilkinson for Woking following a clash in added time.

134 supporters made the journey to Essex and their applause to the Woking players was reciprocated come full-time. Next up for the Cards is Notts County at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday 8th, before facing Southend United again in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 15th.

Full-time: Southend United 1 Woking 1

Southend United: 30 Andeng-Ndi, 2 Scott Morriss, 5 Hobson, 22 Mooney (18 Fonguck 83'), 7 Bridge, 6 Kensdale, 8 Husin, 15 Dackers, 17 Miley, 22 Lopata, 39 Hyde (11 Powell 87')

Bookings: Hobson 74’, Husin 90’, Lopata 90’

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 2 Kyran Lofthouse (29 Vokins 61’), 3 Josh Casey ©, 5 Joe McNerney, 6 Luke Wilkinson, 8 James Daly, 9 Reece Grego-Cox (7 Korboa 71’), 10 Padraig Amond (25 Nelson 90+5’), 12 Dan Moss, 23 Jermaine Anderson, 24 Rohan Ince

Bookings: Moss 30’, Lofthouse 40’, Anderson 49’, Casey 90’, Wilkinson 90’, Daly 90’

Referee: Jason Richardson

Attendance: 5.024 (134 Woking supporters)

Man of the Match: Reece Grego-Cox