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| Woking 1 York City 2: 19th September 2006 Scorers For the second game running the Cards gave their opponents a two goal start but the Minstermen proved a much tougher proposition than Altrincham and, although Woking nearly snatched an equaliser at the death, they couldn't really complain about the result, given York's first half dominance. Karim El-Salahi deputised for the missing Tom Hutchinson at the back. Apart from that, Glenn lined up as in the second half at Moss Lane, with Simon Jackson restored to the right back position and Giuseppe Sole dropping to the bench. On a fine evening the game started in hectic fashion, with both defences being tested quickly by pacy forwards. Simon Jackson's name went into the book after five minutes when he appeared to trip a York attacker in what looked dangerously close to a 'last man' position. Fortunately, the resulting free kick was wasted. A good run by Karl Murray down the right then earned the Cards a free kick of their own. As the ball came over Gary MacDonald was impeded in the box, recovered to push the York defender out of the way and headed home but the whistle had already gone. The referee, in what proved to be the first of a number of bizarre decisions, most of which didn't seem to go the Cards' way, booked Gary! After this harum-scarum start the game began to settle down but, worryingly for Woking, it was the Minstermen who began to dominate, crowding the midfield and finding their men with some slick passing. Up front Clayton Donaldson was a very useful outlet and Martin Woolford threatened down the Woking right flank. For their part, the Cards were unable to get their passing game going and resorted to too many hopeful clearances up field in an attempt to counter-attack. Craig McAllister found himself pretty well shackled - by fair means or foul - all night and wasn't able to hold the ball up and Jon Nurse couldn't quite break clear of his markers. Woking at last managed to get Goma Lambu moving down the left, with a slick interchange with Danny Bunce, to relieve the pressure but, ironically, it was to prove the Cards' undoing. A very fast break from a Woking attack saw Donaldson race clear of Danny Bunce. Simon Jackson did not come across immediately and, when he did, the Woking right flank was opened up for Woolford, who finished cleanly. With more than half an hour gone, the Cards had still not tested the York keeper but hopes were raised by a Danny Bunce cross, which shaved Goma Lambu's head. Neil Smith then left the pitch with blood streaming down the face and, as Ollie Berquez prepared to replace him, Woolford grabbed his and York's second goal. The ball was chipped through the middle and then switched left to Woolford, who drove home. It was almost a third as a header went narrowly wide. Woking continued to look out of sorts as passes went astray and some poor crosses came in from the flanks. Half-time: Woking 0 York City 2 Glenn decided not to make any changes at half-time and for the first few minutes of the second half it looked as though this had been a bad call. Suddenly, though, the Cards produced a well-worked move which started out on the right with Simon Jackson and Karl Murray and which then moved across and to the left. As the ball was played into the box it seemed to rebound off Craig McAllister to Jon Nurse, who made space for himself before shooting home left-footed. Not surprisingly, this goal sparked the Cards into life. York were now placed on the back foot and for the first time in the game began to look a little uncomfortable as Goma Lambu and Jon Nurse attacked with pace. A nice dinked ball from Ollie Berquez saw Gary MacDonald in a good position at the far post but he lost the flight of the ball as it came over. York still looked dangerous on their now infrequent counter-attacks, though, and Shwan had to grab the ball smartly at Donaldson's feet and punch clear from a free-kick. Woking continued to press but some stout defending from York meant that chances in the box were few, with most of the pressure coming from corners and crosses. Giuseppe Sole replaced Shola Oyedele in the 74th minute but wasn't able to make much impression as he was forced to play too far away from the danger zone. More frustration set in as Jon Nurse was impeded, with the referee giving the decision the other way. Goma Lambu skinned his full back, only to see his cross deflect off a defender and into the arms of the York keeper. As a final throw of the dice, Glenn threw on Steve Ferguson for Gary MacDonald and it was Fergie who almost grabbed the equaliser as the five minutes of injury time slipped away. Craig McAllister slipped the ball in front of Fergie as the latter raced into the area but City keeper, Tom Evans, was out quickly and Fergie's attempt to clear him saw the ball lifted too high and over the bar. A wild shot from Simon Jackson was the final fling from the Cards, while at the other end Clayton Donaldson tested Karim for the last time. York City looked a well-organised, skilful side, who closed down quickly and moved the ball around well, but the Cards were disappointing in the first half and left themselves too much to do in the second period. Karl Murray, Jon Nurse and Goma Lambu were probably the pick of the Woking players, with Goma's energy and never-say-die attitude just gaining him the vote as my 'man of the match'. Woking (4-4-2):
Jalal; Jackson, El-Salahi, MacDonald (Ferguson 90), Bunce; Murray, Oyedele (Sole 74), Smith (Berquez 42), Lambu; McAllister, Nurse.
Man of the Match: Goma Lambu Moment of the Match: Roars of support coming from the Bellway Homes Stand as Woking staged a fight back in the second half! Attendance: 1,907 |
