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| Woking 0 Stevenage Borough 2: 8th April 2008 Scorers I'll be honest, I thought the spate of negative comments after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Ebbsfleet was a bit over the top. From what I've seen, we've been playing ok recently, the performances against Histon, Salisbury and Aldershot while not fantastic were certainly not bad and were entertaining. However, after tonight, playing 5-3-2 like on Saturday, I can understand why we were so bad. I think this was probably the worst performance I've seen this season. It wasn't the fact that we lost to Stevenage, hardly created a chance and were all over the place in defence. It was the sheer lack of passion, determination and commitment along with such a defensive attitude that really was Cockerillesque. I hate 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 or whatever you want to call it. I just hate it. Along with this stupid zonal marking thing, its what annoys me most. It lacks attacking options and has an extra defender that's not really needed. With Pattison on the right, Gez on the left and Morgan and Norville up front at least we pose a threat. Admittedly, Pattison was suspended but did that really mean Frank Gray had to change to 5-3-2. Anyway, on to the game. Worner had to block an early shot almost straight from kick off and then Stevenage scored in the 3rd minute. Tyrone Berry got the ball out wide and was allowed to cross into the box where an unmarked Steve Morison stooped to guide a header into the bottom corner. 1-0. That's about all there is to say about the first half. There were fits and spurts from the Cards but there was no consistency or end product. Morgan and Sole threatened with moments of quality, the former replying quickly to the goal with a long-range effort easily held by Julian in the 5th minute. However, the fact was there was no urgency or attacking plan and we just looked down right awful, Stevenage couldn't believe their luck. It wasn't even as if they were that good. Apart from the goal they rarely threatened and other than a tame shot wide from Scott Mitchell and an even tamer header that looped harmlessly wide from Morison, the goal was all they produced. This wasn't a Stevenage team that were our rivals, there was no attempt to pass it but to hit it long and for a team chasing a playoff place the passion was only marginally better than the Cards. The nerve jangling, passion fuelled derbies we used to have (and even have had recently) seemed far, far away. The Cards went closest in the 35th minute when what could almost be described as a passing move allowed Green to take aim from long range and fire just wide of the top corner. The only moments of any interest in the final ten minutes of the half was the referee booking Daryl McMahon for forming a wall and Julian losing his cool with Morgan because he was standing near him, after that the half time whistle blew probably leaving most fans deciding whether or not to go and watch Liverpool v Arsenal. Most people made the wrong choice and stayed for a second half of equal passionless rubbish. At least there were a few more chances. Norville fired a loose ball just wide of the target in the 49th minutes before Mitchell skewed a half volley wide from the edge of the box. In the 53rd minute, Stevenage went close to making it 2-0 when Oliver jumped with Worner at a free kick and the Cards keeper fumbled allowing him to stab at goal but Gasson blocked on the line before Worner clawed away another attempt from Ronnie Henry. Calum Willock had a long range effort saved by Worner before a Gray free kick was flicked just wide at the other end and then Gasson had to make a superb last ditch tackle to stop McMahon. Woking's best chance fell to Hutchinson in the 68th minute, the ball falling to him kindly and he smashed a half volley at goal only for Julian to respond with a stunning one-handed reflex save. Frank Gray made a double substitution bringing on Marum and Lambu but it made no difference and the Cards misery was confounded in the 73rd minute. A free kick was swirled in from the left touchline and Oliver was allowed to stab home unmarked at the back post with the Cards defence and Worner standing around watching. There was nothing in reply, no fight, no nothing. Steve Morison then got himself stupidly sent off for kicking the ball away in the last minute, not that we cared. I don't know what else to say apart from that. I really don't. The Sponsors gave MOTM to Marv, I can't really disagree but nobody deserved it. Awful. Edit - Frank Gray has left by mutual consent. I know it was bad but I didn't quite think it was that bad. Didn't see that coming, fair enough but who exactly is going to do any better? Woking (5-3-2):
Worner; Batt (Lambu 69), Lorraine, Hutchinson, Gasson, Green (Ruby 84); Maledon, Gray, Sole; Norville (Marum 69), Morgan.
Man of the Match: Marvin Morgan - had a shot on target. Moment of the Match: None. Attendance: 1,216. |
