Cards in not conceding shocker!

Woking 1 Southport 0: 10 September 2005
by Mick

With the Cards conceding an average of over two goals a game and both teams yet to fail to score this season you couldn't help feeling that goals would be the order of the day at Kingfield. Yet with minutes left on the clock it looked almost certain to end 0-0. GC replaced the injured Selley with Smith and Rawle and McAllister started up front as Justin was dropped to the bench and Fergie replaced the suspended Blackman out wide.

However, it was the defensive line up that was the main difference to the Cards. In came Nethercott and Oliver on loan, flung into the action at Accrington but with some training together they looked a much more composed partnership. Luke, a little rusty, but as calm and excellent as you may remember and Netercott dominant, good in the air and leading by example, he may lack a little pace but has the experience to make up for it. Admittedly, Southport's attack didn't give them a lot of worry, their passing was wayward and their attacking play predictable. At times it was bread and butter stuff for the new centre backs but they dealt with it well.

MacDonald was moved to left back and Jackson came in at right back. Both had good games, even venturing forward to good effect on occasions especially Jacko who linked up well with Ferguson on the right. Defensively, they were solid and secure, Jackson may lack positional sense on occasions but has the pace to make up for it and Macca the opposite.

The midfield was more industrial than inventive without Selley but they won the battle early on and got the ball to Evans and Fergie to launch the attacks. Ferguson had the beating of his man for pace all day long and it was a shame at times that he chose to cross or try and run at his man when a simple push and go had him beaten all ends up. It was him getting to the by line and putting in a couple of crosses that caused early pressure.

McAllister won a lot in the air and Rawle did his best to read it, as well as put himself about too, one run he made along the edge of the area resulted in a neat curling drive which was well held by keeper' Dickinson in the opening stages. He also had a free header from a corner but completely mistimed it and sent it well wide.

However, despite the Cards dominance of possession, real chances were few and far between for the first 45 minutes. Evans broke away well and cut back for Rawle and McAllister but the two confused each other and the ball ran harmlessly away. McAllister continued to be a nuisance in the air, heading one high up inside the area which Fergie latched onto and scuffed wide when he should have done better. Other than though, although threatening at times, the Southport defence dealt well with what was thrown at them.

Half time and it remained 0-0. Woking continued the same form in the second half though, having a good deal of possession. Rawle fired just over with a half volley, taking a McAllister knock down and swivelling well to get it away. Fergie also tested the keeper' from a tight angle, forcing him into a brave save. At the other end, Southport had more success, causing a couple of scrambles in the Woking penalty area and firing a couple of shots just wide, one fierce left footed volley from Leadbitter screamed just over Jalal's crossbar. Jalal also had to get down sharply to his left to keep another angled effort out.

However, two of the best opportunities of the match fell to Ferguson. Despite things not going his way on many occasions, he kept working hard and was on the end of a ricochet off a defender that landed nicely at his feet, he took it down well and set himself but drove just wide of the far post when it should have been hitting the back of the net. Moments later and a well-timed run saw him latch on to a good through ball and his delicate flick was not enough to get past Dickinson. Again, he should have scored.

A double substitution demonstrated a late attacking surge. Richards and Reed replaced Rawle and Smith. Reed put into central midfield, more mobile and creative than Smith and it was he who fired over from long range. A cross in found Evo at the back post and he dinked it back into the area high in the air, Rico got under it and beat the keeper' to it but it agonisingly bounced off the crossbar and over and from there it looked like it would end 0-0, the Cards just not getting any luck.

Yet they did, as in the last minute they were awarded a free kick and Reed delivered an in swinging ball that had keeper' Dickinson beaten all ends up and may well have gone straight in, but Richards wasn't taking any chances and leapt onto it with glee and pounded it into the back of the net, almost on the goal line. Cue a bundle of Woking players ending up in the KRE net.

It was a little fortunate but thoroughly deserved and although the Cards are still a long way from being a forced to be reckoned with it was a welcomed improvement. We do need to make better use of the possession and take the chances we do get more clinically but that is a minor criticism of a much better performance. Southport were hardly impressive but as they say, you can only beat what's put in front of you.

Woking (4-4-2): Jalal; MacDonald, Oliver, Nethercott, Jackson; Evans, Murray, Smith(Reed 75), Ferguson(El-Salahi 90); McAllister, Rawle(Richards 74). Subs not used: Aggrey, Davies

Man of the match: Karl Murray

Attendance: 1,477

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