Cold, awful game, sneaking it 1-0, I'll take that

Woking 1 Exeter City 0: 21st February 2006
by Mick

Scorers
Justin Richards (pen) 80

If you want to see a fine display of passing football don't go rushing off to see Woking or Exeter in a hurry. For most of this fixture the ball spent in the air as both teams resorted to head tennis and long balls to attack. It became more like beach volley ball than football as the ball was headed or hoofed from one end to the other and then back again. Both teams attacked in dominant spells of pressure through long balls into the box and physical power and were very similar in the way they played.

The game was always going to be decided by the odd goal, clashes between the two sides often are although Woking usually get that odd goal and once again they did tonight, although it was a bit fortunate the way it came. The first half was an even affair, both teams had spells of dominance, perhaps Exeter had the better of things forcing a couple of last second interventions to prevent goalmouth action early on as Karim El-Salahi struggled to deal with the presence of Jake Edwards.

Edwards himself missed a glorious chance as the ball was headed back in from a free kick, the striker made a half hearted attempt at making a stab at goal thinking he was offside, as did most of the crowd but the assistant referee never raised his flag. Exeter's wayward long shooting never really troubled Jalal although a low drive from Jon Challinor had him scrambling to his near post to block the attempt. Challinor caused new boy Oyedele a lot of problems on the Cards right, Shola looking nervy and unsure. The defence did tighten up when an injured Karim was substituted for Gary Mac who steadied the defence with Hutchinson well.

At the other end, a Chris Sharpling's piledriver from just outside the box was the closest the Cards came as it flew just past the far post, although Karl Murray tested Jones early on. Sharpling produced a couple of dangerous crosses and a couple of domineering Ferguson runs looked threatening but there was no final outcome. A neat ball from Steve Evans produced the best opening but McAllister had strayed just offside having found a lot of space between the Exeter defence and he failed to beat Jones anyway.

The second half was a more entertaining affair and despite Exeter not having as much possession or even chances they produced two of the best efforts of the night from long range. Glenn Cronin shot just wide of Jalal's left post before a rampaging run and ferocious shot form Dan Woodards cannoned off the crossbar, Jalal was close but it was inches away from being unstoppable. However, the Cards were now the team with the pressure, forcing the play into the final third and having a torrent of corners and throws. Ferguson found McAllister at the far post after a neat run but his downward header was just clawed away by Jones.

The pressure continued although clear-cut chances were rare. A Sharpling cross to the back post found Ferguson diving in trying to turn the ball back to Evans to apply the finish but it was frantically hacked away just yards from goal. A miss hit clearance by Challinor almost ended up looping over Jones and into the net after it went awkwardly high in the air with a fair amount of spin but it was just tipped over. On 80 minutes, a piece of good fortunate finally gave Woking the goal they had been fighting for.

A corner was nicely delivered and keeper' Jones was left grasping helplessly at clean air and as Hutchinson took control of the ball inside the area he was clattered from behind clumsily by Edwards. It was a soft penalty and Hutch did 'go down a little easily' in swan like motion but you can argue that the second half performance deserved the win especially given how so many times we have dominated games at Kingfield and not come away with all three points. Justin Richards calmly slotted home the penalty with effortless ease finding the very bottom corner and the Cards outside playoff hope was alive and well.

The game finished on a sour note, a reckless lunge from Richards in the final five minutes saw him get a straight red card and deservedly so, there was no need for it, two footed, high and late, a true striker challenge if you ever saw one. He will be missed for the games he is out for, a big blow but the three points were more important. Having said that it was a poor game really with two very direct teams playing rather unattractive football but the Cards stuck at it and there were some good performances.

Ferguson and Sharpling still look very dangerous out wide, the back two of Macca and Hutchinson did well when Macca was introduced and my man of the match Karl Murray worked tirelessly for 90 minutes, closing down constantly. A few more battling performances, a bit more quality, some better finishing and a bit of luck in some key games away to other playoff contenders and a playoff place isn't impossible. Unlikely still though and a win in the Trophy on Saturday would be very nice to keep the season going on Saturday.

Woking (4-4-2): Jalal; Oyedele, Hutchinson, El-Salahi (MacDonald 34), Watson; Sharpling (Smith 89), Murray, Evans, Ferguson; McAllister, Richards. Subs not used: Jackson, L Cockerill, Davies

Man of the match: Karl Murray - worked hard in midfield, always closing down.

Attendance: 1,536

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