Match Report | Osew magic fires Cards to big three points

Dorking Wanderers 1-2 Woking
Vanarama National League
16th December 2023

Woking returned to league action following a three week absence by making the short trip to Meadowbank to take on Dorking Wanderers. Ian Dyer made four changes to the side beaten by Weston-super-Mare in midweek, with returns to the side for Alexis Andre Jr, Scott Cuthbert, Tunji Akinola and Dennon Lewis. Out came Will Jaaskelainen, Timi Odusina, Rhys Browne and Morgan Williams, with Odusina and Browne dropping to the bench.

Marc White’s Wanderers lined up with a familiar face making his debut, former Woking academy product Charlie Carter with his first appearance since joining from Eastleigh in October.

Woking got the game underway, with the Cards shooting towards the packed home end. Much of the opening ten minutes was spent in the Woking half, but the Cards had the first real moment of note in the 12th minute when Paul Osew’s low cross was fired just over by Dennon Lewis on the turn. Manny Oyeleke’s free kick was turned just over the bar by Akinola a couple of minutes later as the Cards began to impose themselves on the game.

Woking took the lead on 35 minutes when a superb delivery from Josh Casey’s free kick was powered home by the head of Tunji Akinola, beating Harrison Male and giving the Cards what their pressure had deserved.

However, their lead was short lived when a run from Carter down the right hand side saw him square for James McShane, who tapped home on 41 minutes. That was to be that for the first half, with Woking pegged back by a Dorking side who looked dangerous in behind the Cards’ defence.

Half-time: Dorking 1-1 Woking

Big shouts for handball from the bank of Woking fans behind the goal were waved away by the referee on 53 minutes after Jim Kellermann’s shot was blocked, before Alexis Andre was forced into a superb save minutes later when Dan Gallagher’s swerving shot from distance was brilliantly parried over the bar by the French stopper.

Great work from Dennon Lewis down the left hand side saw his clip into the six yard box narrowly evading Kellermann at the back post, before good movement from substitute Alfie Rutherford saw him test Andre Jr at his near post. A superb run from substitute Jimmy Muitt on 63 minutes saw him fire a shot across goal, which was almost met by a couple of Wanderers players.

A rather unusual break in play was instigated due to an injury to the linesman, before Woking retook the lead in some style. Superb play from Amond on the turn played through Paul Osew, who showed composure way beyond his years to drive through and finish brilliantly on his right foot to spark jubilation behind the goal.

Osew had another chance just a couple of minutes later when great work from Lewis found him unmarked in the box, but he couldn’t quite head home. Another big Woking chance went begging when Osew’s ball into the box was met by Akinola, but not well enough to force the ball past Harrison Male.

Ten painstaking minutes of added time were seen off, before jubilant scenes as Woking ended their barren run, completing the double over Dorking and getting back to that winning feeling.

A word for Ian Dyer, who looked overjoyed at the final whistle after getting the win he and his players fought so hard for.


Woking: Alexis Andre Jr, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Luke Wilkinson, Manny Oyeleke (Ince 75’), Jim Kellermann, Tunji Akinola, Padraig Amond, Dennon Lewis, Paul Osew

Unused subs: Browne, Bradshaw, Odusina, Pavey

Bookings: Wilkinson 40’, Akinola 94’

Goals: Akinola 35’, Osew 85’


Dorking Wanderers: Harrison Male, Barry Fuller, Haydn Hollis, Tony Craig, George Francomb, Charlie Carter (Ottaway 70’), Josh Taylor, Dan Gallagher, Luke Moore (Rutherford 45’), Bobby-Joe Taylor (Muitt 45’), James McShane

Unused subs: Philpot, Brown

Goals: McShane 41’

Bookings: Muitt 61’

Attendance: 2617

Man of the Match: Paul Osew announced himself to the Woking faithful with a superb performance and goal.