Match Report | Cards share spoils with York in entertaining DAZN clash

Woking 1-1 York City
Vanarama National League
5th October 2024

Woking hosted second placed York City in front of the DAZN cameras as Michael Doyle’s side looked to spring a surprise to kick off their October league fixtures.

The Cards made nine changes to their line up following Tuesday night’s draw with Brighton U21s in the National League Cup, with defender Adam Chicksen making his debut immediately after joining on loan from Notts County. He replaced the suspended Max Dyche, with Ollie Webber, Jacob Jones, Matt Ward, Dale Gorman, Jermaine Anderson, Tom Leahy and Deon Moore all on the bench in place of Will Jaaskelainen, Cian Harries, Dan Moss, Jamie Andrews, Raheem Conte, Dion Kelly-Evans and Lewis Walker.

The visitors lined up with strikers Ollie Pearce and Dipo Akinyemi leading the line, with Cardiff loanee Malachi Fagan-Walcott up against his Bluebirds teammate in Conte.

A fast start from York down the right hand side saw Joe Felix and Callum Harriott combining to good effect, before the latter’s low cross was well blocked behind. With the visitors dominating the ball, a strike from Harriott from about 25 yards out was well grasped by Jaaskelainen.

However, a good chance for Woking came after 16 minutes when Harrison Male spilled a free kick, and Ben Wynter was unable to find the target, firing over on the half volley. Male was almost caught out again when a poor pass from Joe Felix allowed Harry Beautyman the chance to pressurise the ‘keeper, but he was able to clear to safety.

Woking continued to pile on the pressure, with fantastic play from Walker seeing Conte in on goal, but he was bundled over and York managed to clear. There were some appeals for a penalty but the referee waved these away.

A superb cross field pass was met by Harriott whose inch-perfect cross was somehow put behind by Ben Wynter. Shortly after, a York breakaway saw Pearce tee up Ricky Aguiar, whose low shot was brilliantly clawed away by Jaaskelainen, before Harries cleared the danger.

Jamie Andrews delivered a superb cross into the area after 35 minutes, but Walker was unable to direct his header either side of Male in goal.

Half time arrived with an entertaining 45 minutes ending all square, although both sides had missed very decent chances.


Half-time: Woking 0-0 York City

York started the second half strongly, with Aguiar once again testing Jaaskelainen, this time at his near post, but the shot was easily gathered.

Cue the most unlikely goalscorer for the Cards. Dan Moss was waiting inside the box for a delicious whipped cross from Conte, who turned his man and delivered, and the defender headed home from close range for his first ever Woking goal.

The response from York was almost immediate. Felix’s low drive was well saved once again by Jaaskelainen after he found space just outside the penalty area.

Lenell John-Lewis, fresh from coming off the bench, headed over after a good cross from the right hand side as City ramped up the pressure. A fast break from the visitors ended in a shot from Tyrese Sinclair being brilliantly blocked by Harries, before the winger’s free header from the following corner sailed over the bar.

Fantastic play from substitute Charley Kendall and Beautyman saw the latter deliver a dangerous low ball into the six yard box, but York managed to clear.
York were given a penalty after 80 minutes when a corner was supposedly handled in the area by a Woking player. Lenell John-Lewis found the bottom corner to level the game.

A fair result, and a very good point for Michael Doyle’s side against a very good York team. They now break for FA Cup action at home to Slough Town next weekend.




Woking: Jaaskelainen, Kelly-Evans, Wynter, Harries, Chicksen, Akinola, Andrews, Moss, Beautyman (Ward 89’), Conte (Lewis 70’), Walker (Kendall 70’)

Subs: Webber, Gorman, Anderson, Leahy

Bookings: Akinola 36’, Walker 40’

Goals: Moss 55’

York City: Male, Fallowfield (John-Lewis 68’), Howe, Hunt (John 68’), Akinyemi, Pearce (Fadera 90’), Harriott (Sinclair 59’), Batty, Aguiar (Armstrong 59’), Felix, Fagan-Walcott

Subs: Watson, Chadwick


Bookings: Pearce 88’

Goals: John-Lewis 81’

Attendance: 2361

Sponsors MOTM: : Dion Kelly-Evans