Woking 0 Southampton 4: 3 August 2005
by Anonymous

Scotland 0 Sweden 4

I couldn't hear any bagpipes as Scotland and Sweden ran out for their pre-season friendly at Kingfield. No wait that's the new Woking away kit! Many fans in red and white and neither team wearing their normal colours. Is this wise? The early part of the game saw some uncharacteristically poor passing from Ian Selley - did they clear the new colours with the great man? Maybe the old boy's eyes don't adjust so fast. His midfield partner Karl Murray was looking for red against a young quick Southampton XI but despite trying hard he couldn't put any blood red stripes on their shirts. It was mostly a passing and possession game with both sides trying to get players forward and the Woking back four looking more and more likely to be bothered by the very pacy Southampton front men.

It was a delightfully quick move, which brought about the first goal for Southampton. There was a slight deflection on the shot after 3 incisive passes but it was a move worthy of a goal. Scottish keeper Schwan Jalal was blameless. The second goal came when Macca let an easy clearance slip under his foot. Fast footwork from the Southampton forward took him past Gary MacDonald's first redeeming lunge but he just about nailed him with the second one. Jimmy Aggrey had ambled across to make sure he paid for his penalty with some pain by forcing him to head his foot. There was no argument from the LGS when the diminutive man in black duly pointed to the spot. The no 9 (Dexter Blackstock?) coolly slotted the penalty cue the announcer to say it was same player that scored the first goal when it patently wasn't.

Half time and many changes. Don't think anyone was having a real mare - not even Liam - and you would hope no Conference team will have that much pace or our back four will be roasted. I thought Justin Richards seemed happy with the fast tempo and might have made something happen if he had more supply. When he did get the opportunity to turn, the centre backs were usually good enough to snuff him out. He did manage to get Lloyd Blackman in behind them but nothing came from it.

A new Woking formation for the second half with a 4-5-1 or is it 4-3-3? McAllister played "up top" on his own with Ferguson to the left and Blackman to the right. The most significant change was Evans for Selley. Evans was on fire in the central role making good runs into space and spraying some great balls to the wide men but Southampton held firm. In fact, they added a third on the hour when a Blackstock header was strong enough to get through Jalal's flailing fingertips.

The game slowed down a little, Ruby came on for Aggrey, Woking kept pressing but the only noteworthy moment came from Neil Smith who had replaced Selley at half time. A searing run from him, well OK he plodded between two defenders, and got into the box and duly drew the foul. The LGS called for the spot kick but the man in black responded with his annoying "thumbs down" wave of the arms which he looked like he had been practising all summer. One of quite a few fouls he didn't give, hope we don't see him turn up when three points are at stake.

Young Sam Cockerill came on for the last 7 minutes (is this going to happen all the time?) just in time to see Southampton's fourth from a corner. The marking looked decidedly suspect and Shwan Jalal finished the night feeling like a Scottish goalie. They had been up against a good side though.

The questions now are all about the starting line-up will be at Kidderminster. It surely can't be the starting lineup last night - you can't leave Evans out in my opinion. The back four look shaky. I think we need some pace in the middle I'd be switching Gary MacDonald to left back where he did so well last season and trying someone quicker with Aggrey. Maybe Jackson should move across if the others are not cutting it but that creates the "who is Right back" problem again. Despite Blackman's claims I think I would have to start with the proven midfield of Evans Murray Selley Sharpling. Richards would have to start up front for me but with who? Rawle who didn't figure last night just about gets my vote at the moment. Ferguson is looking sharp and quick and McAllister looks like he will benefit from more matches under his belt.

Woking (4-4-2): Jalal; L Cockerill, MacDonald, Aggrey, Jackson; Blackman, Selley, Murray, Sharpling; Richards, McAllister. Subs used: Smith, Evans, Ferguson, Ruby, S Cockerill.

Attendance: 1638

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