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| Woking 1 Forest Green Rovers 1: 1st September 2007 Scorers After two home draws and a good 2nd half performance at Salisbury City using the formation, Frank Gray went 4-4-2 and a welcome change it was too. Tom Hutchinson was still out injured but Nick Gindre returned in goal behind a defence of Ruby, Lorraine, Gasson and Bunce. An attacking four man midfield of Sole, Pattison, Quamina and Lambu supported a front two of Marvellous Marvin and new signing Carl Gibbs who had a satisfactory debut. It was a cagey start from both teams with both capable in possession and content on keeping the ball rather than throwing bodies forward. The Rovers looked slightly more in control but rarely threatened the Cards goal throughout the half. The first real meaningful shot came fifteen minutes in when Danny Bertram laid it off to Adriano Rigoglioso who took aim from about 25 yards but it rolled harmlessly towards the bottom corner for Gindre to gather. Woking replied when debutant Gibbs rifled in a long-range effort, which forced Ryan Robinson into a good one-handed save. To finish a short five-minute spell of action Simon Clist curled a rather weak free kick past Gindre's left post. The half continued with little action despite both teams playing relatively decent football especially the visitors, but despite their dominance they could not breach the Cards strong defence. In the 37th minute, Adriano Rigoglioso found enough space just outside the area and tested Gindre with a swerving drive that was just about parried over by the Argentinean. Three minutes later and both teams had chances to break the deadlock, a long throw from Ruby was helped on by Gasson and Sole came charging into meet it but a combination of about three Rovers players made sure his attempt did not get towards the goal. With Sole down injured Forest Green produced a speedy counter attack and Paul Stonehouse crossed for Bertram who saw his effort deflected over the crossbar from close range. As the half came to a close Lambu threatened for the Cards curling an effort over the bar from the edge of the D. The teams went in 0-0 at the break, which was about right for a half which contained few clear-cut chances. Woking played much better in the 2nd half and took the lead on 55 minutes when Lambu was fouled in the area. Sole produced a mazy run before playing the little winger in and he was taken out by Anthony Tonkin who got away with out punishment despite being the last man and already having a yellow card to his name. It really did sum up the performance of Miss Raynor who was generally useless all afternoon. Sole took his chance with aplomb, sending the keeper the wrong way and side footing the spot kick to his left hand side and into the back of the net before coolly running away in celebration. The goal brought the Cards to life and soon Forest Green couldn't cope with the runs of Pattison, Sole and Lambu from midfield. Pattison fired in a shot from outside the area after a neat run, which forced Robinson to parry over, and Sole forced him to do the same moments later. On 65 minutes, Fleetwood had a dangerous looking free kick palmed away by Gindre and as the Cards went searching for a second Sole again went close firing wide from outside of the box. It had to be said that Woking looked in command and in good shape for the three points. However, on the 84th minute the Cards were caught out and a combination of Lorraine and then Ruby brought down Fleetwood in the area and Raynor pointed to the spot. I say it was Ruby and Lorraine but I couldn't tell from the KRE. Southern Counties said Ruby tripped him and Lorraine is said to have fouled him via the BBC Text Commentary. I have a text from someone (he shall remain nameless) in the LGS, which perhaps will explain it better, though it also says that it was a dive. "Our guy slid in and missed both the ball and man, but in between our next man sliding and winning the ball their guy just tumbled". Basically, I don't really know what happened but it was a penalty nonetheless and there weren't too many complaints. Fleetwood stepped up himself and gleefully slotted home though Gindre dived to his right and was not far away. Woking tried to snatch a winner but despite a lot of pressure they didn't create a chance and it finished 1-1 for a third consecutive home draw. Not good but not that bad either and Forest Green look a good side based on this performance and the players they have. The Cards second half performance was very encouraging and the 4-4-2 worked well. I've given Goma man of the match but I can't fault anyone as they all had good games, especially Pattison who was immense in the midfield. The central midfield two looked solid, Gez was back on song, the back two did extremely well without Hutch. Just need to try and win on Tuesday to stop the drawing rut. Woking (4-4-2):
Gindre; Ruby, Lorraine, Gasson, Bunce; Lambu, Quamina, Pattison, Sole; Gibbs, Morgan.
Man of the Match: Goma Lambu - a danger whenever running at the defence. Moment of the Match: Sole's mazy run and pinpoint ball to put through Goma to win the penalty. Attendance: 1,499 |
