Cards denied a point in injury time
Brian Caffarey
5:03pm, Sat 27th Mar 2010
Newport County AFC 1 Woking 0
27 March 2010
(Report based on BBC Surrey commentary)
The Cards faced a huge task this afternoon as they travelled to Spytty Park attempting to become the first side to take away all three points from the Exiles, champions-elect. Prior to this afternoon’s game Newport had won 15 and drawn three, scoring 42 goals and conceding only 7. The Cards looked to have gained a deserved point but, in injury time, Dave Gilroy, controversially, stabbed home from close range to snatch it from their grasp.
Graham Baker fielded an attacking line-up, bringing in Nathaniel Pinney up front, moving Ricky Anane to right back in place of Daniel Sintim, while Jerome Maledon (pictured) replaced the injured Harry Arter in midfield. Matthew Wright, returning from suspension, was on the bench.
Woking started well and, in the 11th minute, Craig Faulconbridge forced a good save from the Newport keeper, Glyn Thompson, after a great run from Mark Ricketts into the box. A few minutes later Woking went even closer as Jerome Maledon’s shot was deflected onto a post after a fine cross from Aswad Thomas and a header on from Craig Faulconbridge.
Newport responded with a quick break from danger man, Craig Read, who was just foiled by Tony Sinclair and then the Exiles saw a strike from Read rubbed out by the linesman’s flag. Read threatened again a few minutes later but was, once again, caught offside.
Woking bounced back, stretching Newport down the flanks, with some useful crosses from Moses Ademola in particular, while for Newport Read always presented a threat. But Woking, though having the best of the half, could not make a breakthrough and the scores remained level at half-time.
Half-time: Newport County AFC 0 Woking 0
Soon after the break Ross Worner had to make an excellent save as Newport started more brightly, while Gez Sole’s long-distance free-kick flashed past the post.
Woking were forced into a change after five minutes, with Nicky Nicolau replacing Moses Ademola, who’d been trying to shake off an injury incurred early on. Nicolau moved to the left flank, with Gez Sole switching to the right.
Read threatened again for Newport shortly afterwards and Danny Rose went close too from a free-kick. But Woking responded well with a header from Craig Faulconbridge from a Nicky Nicolau cross.
Newport continued to gain momentum, with Tony Sinclair having to make several crucial interventions. In the 71st minute Woking’s hopes were raised as they gained a free-kick on the edge of the area but Aswad Thomas, rather than Gez Sole, took it and it was hammered into the defensive wall.
Matthew Wright replaced Craig Faulconbridge shortly afterwards. An air-kick from Ross Worner, following a back pass from Aswad Thomas, nearly presented Read with a gilt-edged chance. But Woking responded immediately with a header from Pinney, which bounced off the cross bar.
With ten minutes to go, Rose headed over the bar for Newport from a cross by Henry.
Graham Baker brought on Billy Hussey for a tiring Nathaniel Pinney, with Gez Sole moving up front to join Matthew Wright.
In injury time Newport gained a questionable free-kick after an alleged foul by Jerome Maledon. Ross Worner’s attempted clearance fell to Dave Gilroy, who appeared to be offside but stabbed home from close range.
Woking: Ross Worner, Ricky Anane, Aswad Thomas, Mark Ricketts, Tom Hutchinson, Tony Sinclair, Moses Ademola (Nicky Nicolau, 50), Jerome Maledon, Craig Faulconbridge (Matthew Wright, 72), Nathaniel Pinney (Billy Hussey, 82), Giuseppe Sole
Unused subs: Daniel Sintim, Matt Pegler
Booked: Giuseppe Sole, Aswad Thomas
Attendance: 1742
