FC Halifax 1-1 Woking
Enterprise National League
3rd September 2025

After a long trip to the North West to defeat Morecambe, Woking were back on the road just days later for a trip to the Shay to take on FC Halifax.

In came Jake Forster-Caskey for a first start, replacing Tim Akinola, whilst Sam Ashford replaced Aiden O’Brien who missed out due to his wife giving birth, congratulations to the O’Briens!

Josh Kelly made the bench in his first appearance as a Card, with Will Jaaskelainen warming up before the game a strong sign of things to come.

In what can only be described as dire conditions, a slow start from both sides saw the only notable chances inside the first twenty minutes come from headers from Harry Beautyman, who had one tipped over the bar and one flew over.

After receiving treatment, Ashford was inches away from connecting with a fantastic header back across goal from Jamie Andrews, but mistimed his own header.

Halifax rarely threatened, but a good move from the hosts saw Jamie Cooke well denied by the faultless Tom Norcott, with the Reading loanee saving well with his feet.

Half time: FC Halifax 0-0 Woking

The hosts started the second half on top, with the impressive Adetoro heading just wide of the near post after another good move.

Kelly made his debut when he replaced an injured Ashford on the hour mark, looking to add a spark. But it was perhaps some fortuitous play that led to Woking’s opener.

Tunji Akinola was supposedly fouled by his man inside the box, with referee Aaron Jackson immediately pointing to the spot. Harry Beautyman did what he does best and slotted past Sam Johnson to give the Cards a previous lead.

When Kelly got round his man and fell to ground, the Cards felt they may have had a second penalty, but Jackson was unmoved this time. Then came a big altercation with the clock ticking down, as a brawl erupted and Griffin for Halifax and Odusina for Woking were both booked.

A golden opportunity went begging for the Shaymen when Norcott’s parried cross was blazed over by Will Harris, but they would have their own penalty when Jamie Andrews allegedly brought down a Halifax man.

Josh Hmami sent Norcott the wrong way to rescue a point, despite the last action of the game being another Adetoro header which pinged back off the bar after Woking were forced to defend multiple set pieces.

A good point that might have been three had the Cards held on, but a clear indicator that the early season woes are being put behind Woking, who have taken five points from their last three games including two of the longest away trips back-to-back.

FC Halifax Town

1 S Johnson (GK) 3 Adetoro, 4 Hugill, 8 Hmami, 10 Cooke (25 Pugh 88), 17 Bray (9 Harris 58), 22 Kawa, 27 Turner-Cooke, 29 Tarima (26 Griffin 73), 30 C Johnson, 36 Latty-Fairweather (11 Cappello 57)

Subs: 12 Ford, 14 Sutcliffe, 20 Jenkins

Woking

31 Norcott, 2 Drewe, 3 Richards, 5 Odusina, 6 Andrews, 7 Beautyman ©️ (12 Osude 90), 14 Hinds, 16 Akinola, 18 Turner (4 Okoli 90), 20 Ashford (Kelly 60), 25 Forster-Caskey (23 Akinola 78)

Subs: 13 Ross, 11 Ward

Referee: Aaron Jackson

Goals: Beautyman 69 pen, Hmami (pen) 90

Yellow Cards: Griffin 84, Odusina 84, Hmami 90, Adetoro 90, Akinola 90

Attendance: 1125 (46 away)