Well, we are in the draw...

Woking 0-0 Northwich Victoria: 2nd December 2005
by Mick

A potential banana skin, that was for sure. Northwich's FA Cup run was in its fifth game having won four out of four, not needing any replays. Not only that but Paul Brayson had scored in every round. After disposing of Morecambe last time out at Christie Park, a trip to Kingfield was hardly going to be a daunting prospect.

The score may have been 0-0 but the game was an entertaining and passionate affair, which had the nerves jangling for both teams on many occasions. It was only mildly spoilt by referee Mr Dork Dick Door who seemed to think he was the star brandishing eight yellow cards like he was the main act and making some bizarre decisions for both teams.

I'll be honest and admit that I had a bad feeling about this one but the Cards picked up their game even without Oliver and attacked from the off. Liam and Fergie roaming down the wings, McAllister winning headers and Richards as lively as ever. Northwich were no mugs, resolute at the back and quick up front, a danger against new look centre back duo Nethercott and El Salahi but they seemed a little nervy and surprised by Woking's positive start.

The Cards dominated for the most part but especially so in the first half an hour, bombarding the Northwich goal from the off. They had the possession and the chances in the first half an hour to be two goals up had the luck been on their side. Their first attack started a little fortunately, Mr Door ignoring Smith's blatant foul in midfield and allowing play to continue and Ferguson to get clear down the right. His low driven cross was dummied by Richards but turned round the post by McAllister.

Murray had a shot blocked from another Ferguson cross and then the Cards went agonisingly close when McAllister rose at the back post and headed back across goal forcing Kristian Rodgers to make a fantastic fingertip save but the ball came back to Richards who instinctively flung a foot at it and diverted it off at an angle towards the goal but not quite well enough as it looped onto the post.

At the other end, Northwich produced two fantastic chances to put themselves in the lead, there best play of the match. First, Shwan Jalal had to produce an excellent one handed save and then Michael Carr rose in a crowded area to head at goal but Watson was on hand to hammer it away on the line. At the other end, the most controversial moment of the half arrived when a ball forward looked to be a lost cause with defender and keeper' favourites to reach it first. However, Ferguson's long crossfield sprint got him there first and Rodgers then clipped him, seemingly inside the box. However, Mr Door gave the Cards a free kick on the very edge.

Paul Watson was a little cheeky putting the ball inside the area to take the kick but another expertly delivered set play was met by Smithy but diverted wide. It was Watson's succession of three corners that ended up in the ball being diverted wide once off a defender and a then over the bar as a defender deflected McAllister's goal bound header away from its intended target.

The second half was perhaps less eventful than the first with Northwich sitting back, seemingly happy with a replay and the Cards having the majority of possession but failing to break the Vic's defence down. Luck just didn't seem to be with them again, finally getting the ball in the net courtesy of the left foot of Karl Murray lashing in from close range but the offside flag was up.

Richards wasted a great chancing having turned in the area but dithered and dallied on the ball before producing a poor knock back for Murray, which was duly intercepted and the Cards had another barrage of corner which never seemed to fall for them. One attempt was glanced on by one defender, bounced off the shoulder of another and then went straight through to the keeper' with McAllister and Ferguson lurking in the six yard box. It summed up Woking's luck fairly well.

Just before the end, with time was running out and a replay looking more than likely, the impressive, dynamic Murray picked up on a loose ball in midfield passed one defender and let fly with a long range effort but Rodgers was equal to it and parried it wide, meaning a trip to Northwich on, most likely, a cold Tuesday night in store.

Its not what the Cards wanted but on the bright side they are still in the draw and if they can play like they did today, with a bit more luck and better finishing they will reach the third round. It's just a shame they didn't knick it today, which is perhaps what they deserved. All credit to the Vics though they battled bravely and although they had their backs to the wall a fair bit they kept plugging away and left unscathed.

The team performed very well as a whole, especially Murray who worked hard in midfield and got forward well. The defence held firm well, Karim was a little rocky but did well enough marshaled by Nethercott and Brayson never really looked like continuing his record of scoring in every round. It's just at the other end where there was a little guile, composure and dexterity missing in the final third. The attacking was more industrious than anything and perhaps a little variation would have got the goal. Equally so would have a bit of luck. How one of the corners or long throws never found its way to a Cards player I'll never know.

Woking (4-4-2): Jalal; Watson, El-Salahi, Nethercott, Jackson; L Cockerill (Blackman 90), Murray, Smith, Ferguson; McAllister, Richards. Subs not used: Selley, Aggrey, Rawle, Davies

Man of the match: Karl Murray

Attendance: 2462

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