Match Report | Cards suffer harsh defeat at Boundary Park

Oldham Athletic 1-0 Woking
Vanarama National League
7th March 2023

Darren Sarll made one change to the side victorious at Yeovil on Tuesday, with Billy Sass-Davies making his first start in place of Scott Cuthbert, who dropped to the bench.

The first notable moment in the game came after five minutes, as Jim Kellermann was allowed to charge into the opposition half but fired just wide from about 25 yards out.

Mark Kitching then fired a low shot straight into the midriff of Will Jaaskelainen as the home side enjoyed a rare venture forward, with the Cards seeing most of the ball and forcing Oldham into their own half in the first ten minutes.

Joe Nuttall found himself in behind the Woking defence, but Sass-Davies produced a superb tackle to only limit the danger to a corner. Alex Reid then forced a fine save from Jaaseklainen as the Latics began to push forward.

With 22 minutes on the clock, John Rooney danced past a couple of defenders before firing wide, a huge missed opportunity for the home side.

A long free kick was met by the head of Marcus Dackers, which gave Padraig Amond a chance to volley, but he sliced narrowly wide.

Half time came shortly afterwards, and despite Oldham probably having the best chance of the game, the Cards had dominated the ball, looking patiently for their chance to break down the Latics’ back five.

Half-time: Oldham Athletic 0-0 Woking

Kyran Lofthouse broke from the halfway line with nine minutes gone of the second half before firing a shot towards the top corner, but Magnus Norman made a smart stop. From the following corner, a well worked move between Casey and Amond gave Rohan Ince a free header at the back post, but the ball crept wide.

Alex Reid once again broke through the Woking backline but fired his shot across goal from a tight angle.

Despite neither team creating much clear cut until the 93rd minute, the Latics stole it at the death. A cross in found Nathan Sheron, and he headed the ball into the bottom corner, giving Jaaskelainen no chance.

This was cruel on the Cards, who dug deep for much of the match but couldn’t get over the line. They’ll need to bounce back quickly with the visit of Maidenhead United on Saturday.

Woking: 22 Will Jaaskelainen, 2 Kyran Lofthouse, 3 Josh Casey, 5 Joe McNerney, 10 Padraig Amond (18 Simper 81’), 12 Dan Moss, 16 Sol Nwabuokei, 17 Jim Kellermann (4 Cuthbert 89’), 20 Marcus Dackers, 24 Rohan Ince, 29 Billy Sass-Davies

Unused subs: Craig Ross, Ricky Korboa, Sid Nelson

Bookings: Dan Moss 86’

Oldham Athletic: Magnus Norman, Liam Hogan, Nathan Sheron, Mark Shelton, John Rooney, Alex Reid (Abraham 88’), Mark Kitching, Will Sutton, Peter Clarke, Josef Yarney, Joe Nuttall (Fondop 75’)

Unused subs: Hudson, Green, Abraham, Chapman

Goals: Sheron 90+3’

Referee: Scott Jackson

Man of the Match: Solomon Nwabuokei put in a dogged performance, winning many duels in the midfield.