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| Woking 0 Aldershot Town 1: 26th December 2007 Scorers The Cards mini run of victories unsurprisingly came to an end against league leaders Aldershot Town. It looked like they might hold on for a 0-0 until Kirk Hudson converted in the 78th minute as the Shots extra quality showed. Up until then Woking had battled hard and can feel slightly unlucky not to have got something from the game. In came Paul Lorraine to replace the injured Matt Ruby, whose absence cost the Cards dearly with a lot of Shots play coming down the left side, while elsewhere Frank chose a likely line up with Gray in central midfield and Sole getting the nod over Marum up front. The Cards started brightly too, putting the Shots on the back foot and forcing some early chances. It took just three minutes for Morgan to break down the left, latching onto a ball over the top. However, under pressure from Charles he could run the ball into Nikki Bull's hands. Moments later and Sole flicked a James free kick goalbound but it was merely a comfortable catch for Bull before Hutchinson's flicked header found Morgan running in but once again he could only guide his header straight at the Aldershot keeper'. However, the Shots hit back and produced some neat passing allowing Anthony Straker to cross for Scott Davies who forced a decent stop from Gindre at his near post on 14 minutes. Moments later and Davies had another effort at goal, this time an embarrassing long-range attempt, which was nearer the corner flag than the goal. Woking went closest in the first half when Morgan struck the bar after 19 minutes. A brilliant move allowed Green to put in a low cross from the left and the gangly Cards striker did well to control the ball and get away a shot which deflected off Charles before hitting the bar with Bull floundering at thin air. The Shots nearly went straight up the other end to score though when Dixon tried a cheeky lob from just inside the area but Gindre saved comfortably. Aldershot's strength began to show and they began to look increasingly dangerous on the attack. Lorraine and Gindre did just enough to keep out Joel Grant as he broke down the left and into the area and Davies had a free kick stopped thanks to a solid block from Hutchinson. In the aftermath, there were screams for a penalty for handball following a shot from Ben Harding but I doubt there was any deliberate intent in stopping the effort. On the half hour it looked as if the Shots were about to break the deadlock when Straker got clear but Gindre made a superb smothering save to keep him out and the Cards retaliated when Sole turned terrifically in the box before blasting it woefully over from the angle with Morgan and Gray calling for the ball in the area. As half time approached Hutchinson was deservedly booked for a reckless tackle on halfway as the Shots broke but when the half time whistle blew Woking could be pleased with their first half performance. The Cards survived a scare in the 50th minute when Grant and Dixon had the ball in dangerous positions inside the left hand side of the area but they couldn't deliver the killer ball and four minutes later Green pulled the ball back for Sole but his shot was blocked by a outstanding last ditch challenge. On 58 minutes, a looping Morgan cross was met by James but he couldn't generate the power to trouble Bull and not long after Sole had an ambitious free kick bounce wide of the post. Hutchinson was on hand to save the Cards in the 64th minute when a long throw was directed goalward by Charles but the bald central defender did enough to deflect it over the bar. Moments later and a long ball over the top found Straker who had his cross deflected by Hutchinson before curling hopelessly over when in a good position. Aldershot were beginning to dominate though, attacking down the left. After Marum had come on for Sole, Grant broke away, jinked his way past Lorraine and blazed over when excellently placed. Minutes later and Lorraine got his own back with a great tackle in the middle of the penalty area when Grant was about to shoot. On 74 minutes, Aldershot substitute Kirk Hudson broke from midfield and played in Grant again but once again the winger couldn't finish, skewing his effort hopelessly wide. Unfortunately for Woking, Hudson could finish himself and five minutes later when other substitute Daniel Hylton broke free and unselfishly knocked it to him, he made no mistake, putting it through Gasson's legs and into the back of the net to give the Shots the lead. Woking fought back bravely and Bull got away with making a mess of a simple catch from a corner while Lambu and Morgan had efforts fizz across the goal from narrow angles. Gason had a tame header easily saved and not long after, the final whistle blew. There were some good individual performances from the Cards. Adam Green had a solid game on the left and got forward well. Him and Bunce certainly looked the part down that side. Gasson and Hutch were great at the back as usual, the latter being my man of the match while James had another solid game in midfield. All we need is a bit more cutting edge and some clinical finishing and we'd be quite a team. Unfortunately, that doesn't come cheap and while Marum, Sole and Morgan all have a great deal of potential, they only show it in fits and spurts. All in all a decent performance against a good Shots side that are excellent going forward and have the impressive Anthony Charles at the back. I fancy them to go on to win the league, especially given that they went seven points ahead today due to Exeter beating Torquay 4-3. You never know but if the Cards can put in a good performance against Torquay, they could be further ahead by Saturday evening. Woking (4-4-2):
Gindre; Lorraine, Hutchinson, Gasson, Bunce; Pattison (Lambu 85), James, Gray (Quamina 77), Green; Morgan, Sole (Marum 67).
Man of the Match: Tom Hutchinson - mr reliable. Moment of the Match: The sight of over 4,000 in Kingfield. We could do with the money. Attendance: 4,356 |
