Match Report | Cards put on brave effort but Cambridge prevail

Woking 0-1 Cambridge United
Emirates FA Cup First Round
2nd November 2024

Woking made one change to the team that drew with Forest Green Rovers last weekend, as Timi Odusina returned for his first start since August, replacing Cian Harries, who was omitted from the squad. Michael Doyle named a nine-man bench which included new loan signing Jack Stretton, along with a returning Raheem Conte after his injury which kept him out of the last three games.

The visitors made two changes to their team following victory last weekend at home to Burton Albion, with Sullay Kaikai and James Gibbons both returning to the starting lineup.

In front of a healthy crowd of 3105 at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, Cambridge kicked off towards the LGS, with an intriguing opening ten minutes seeing a couple of good moves from Woking just break down near the end.

The Cards were forced into a change when Dennon Lewis came off worse in a clash of heads, giving Conte a chance to enter the field of play. Liam Bennett was looking dangerous down the right-hand side, with his driven cross flying past any player who might have been hoping for a tap in.

A huge chance for Woking came after half an hour when Jamie Andrews’ inswinging corner was met by a free Max Dyche, but he couldn’t get his header on target with the goal gaping. Conte’s deflected shot flew narrowly over the bar after some appeals for a penalty from the Woking faithful as the Cards looked to test the U’s defence.

Cambridge took the lead, or so they thought, when Dan Nlundulu got on the end of Paul Digby’s cross, but after protests led by Odusina and Kelly-Evans for handball, the goal was chalked off following conversations between referee and linesman.

James Brophy fired a shot towards goal from long range in stoppage time, but Will Jaaskelainen tipped the ball over the bar despite a slight deflection making his life more difficult. That was all for the first half, with a spirited effort from the hosts seeing them deservedly go in level, setting this cup tie up for an intriguing second half.


Half-time: Woking 0-0 Cambridge United

Woking began the second half well, enjoying a long spell of possession five minutes into the game, and threatening regularly with good delivery into the box from Andrews. A superb free kick from Andrews after 63 minutes came back off the inside of the post, a huge escape for the U’s and millimetres away from a Woking opener.

It was Andrews again who drove through the midfield and fired just over the bar from outside the box, with the game getting into the closing stages. But James Brophy finished off a back-to-front move whilst Tunji Akinola was off the pitch receiving treatment, his left-footed finish finding the top corner from inside the box.

A big switch of the play saw Conte tee up Beautyman, but he headed straight at Vicente Reyes with Woking looking for a response. Michael Doyle made three subs with less than ten minutes to go, as Conte, Kelly-Evans and Moore made way for Matt Ward, Jack Stretton and Charley Kendall.

Cambridge held on though, giving Woking a feeling of what could have been had they converted one of their chances, but a good showing from the Cards nonetheless.

They move on to Halifax next weekend hoping to find momentum in the league.


Woking:Jaaskelainen, Moss, Odusina, Andrews, Beautyman, Lewis (Conte 22’ (Ward 83’)), Akinola (Gorman 78’), Kelly-Evans (Stretton 83’), Chicksen, Moore (Kendall 83’), Dyche

Subs: Webber, Anderson, Walker, Wynter

Bookings: Moss 16’, Lewis 19’, Conte 40’, Kelly-Evans 66’

Cambridge United: Reyes, Bennett, Digby (Cousins 82’), Morrison, Brophy, Nlundulu (Njoku 87’), Kachunga (Watts 82’), Kaikai, Smith, Okedina (Andrew 45’), Gibbons

Subs: Stevens, Iben Rossi, Longelo

Goals: Brophy 73’

Bookings: Kachunga 42’

Attendance: 3105