Match Report | Cards all at sea against impressive Shrimpers

Woking 0-2 Southend United
Vanarama National League
7th October 2023
Woking hosted a rejuvenated Southend United side fresh from news of an impending takeover in midweek, with the Cards desperate for a first home win since late August. Darren Sarll made two changes to the side beaten at the death by Halifax on Tuesday night; a return to the lineup for Scott Cuthbert in place of the benched Timi Odusina, whilst Rohan Ince made his first start since early August in place of the injured Jim Kellermann.

New signings Morgan Williams and Charlie O’Connell, on loan from AFC Wimbledon and Peterborough United respectively, took their places on the bench, whilst former Card Nick Hayes started in goal for the visitors, with fellow ex Woking man Harry Taylor in the Shrimpers’ midfield.

On a surprisingly warm and sunny October afternoon, Woking kicked off towards the Leslie Gosden Stand, but it was the hosts who enjoyed the majority of the ball in the opening ten minutes. They got a deserved goal on 16 minutes, an exceptional cross from Gus Scott-Morriss headed home into the bottom corner by Harry Cardwell for his 11th goal of the season.

A long throw from Sam Habergham on 21 minutes caused chaos inside the Southend box, but Rohan Ince couldn’t quite stab the ball home, before a minute later, good work from Dennon Lewis saw his low cross miskicked by Zak Bradshaw about 12 yards out, as Woking were upping the intensity of their play.

Southend were playing with confidence and Will Jaaskelainen had to react well to a superb looping header from Scott-Morriss after the build-up had contained a quite outstanding through ball from Noor Husin.

The Shrimpers went into the break fully deserving of their 1-0 lead, having played some superb football.

Half-time: Woking 0-1 Southend United
Woking made two changes at half time, with Bradshaw and Alfie Pavey both coming off and being replaced by Morgan Williams and Reece Grego-Cox. A golden chance inside the opening minute of the second half saw Nick Hayes and Jason Demetriou nearly collide, but Dennon Lewis fired over with the goal gaping and several options.

However, the away side upped the pressure on Woking and had a second goal on 54 minutes. A corner was headed towards goal by Cardwell, and Scott-Morris was there to head home from close range.

With the Cards looking to get back into the game, there was a strong appeal for handball from the KRE and Woking players on 69 minutes, but it was waved away by the referee. Southend had a chance to make it three when Cardwell was found inside the box, but Jaaskelainen saved with his face, before the follow up was blocked away by Dan Moss.

Williams fired wide following a knock down from Grego-Cox on 89 minutes as the game looked to be coming to a tame end, before Moss struck one from 30 yards and forced Nick Hayes into his first real save.

Southend saw out the rest of the game comfortably, a worrying performance from the Cards, who were second best all afternoon and didn't lay a glove on a side who were excellent throughout, and can look forward to a future without Ron Martin.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Scott Cuthbert, Greg Taylor, Sam Habergham, Rohan Ince, Tunji Akinola (O’Connell 69’), Zak Bradshaw (Williams 45’), Padraig Amond, Alfie Pavey (Grego-Cox 45’), Dennon Lewis

Unused subs: Andre, Odusina

Bookings: Habergham 44’

Southend United: Nick Hayes, Gus Scott-Morriss, Ollie Kensdale, Jack Bridge (Vilhete 81’), Noor Husin, Harry Cardwell, Jack Wood (Kanu 57’), Harry Taylor, Cav Miley, Jason Demetriou, Oli Coker (Kobongolo 91’)

Unused subs: Fonguck

Goals: Cardwell 16’, Scott-Morriss 54’

Referee: Callum Walchester

Attendance: 3564

Man of the Match: Scott Cuthbert