Woking 2 Bromley 1
10th April 2010

By Glen Harrington

In the Rick of Time


Kingfield breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Cards earned a hard-fought victory against a spirited Bromley side to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Graham Baker made just one change from the side that won back-to-back games against Lewes and Eastleigh, with Harry Arter fit enough to return to the starting line-up. Nathaniel Pinney was the man to drop out, returning to Crystal Palace following his successful loan spell. Mid-table Bromley came into the match with mixed form – the Easter weekend producing a draw with Chelmsford and a defeat at lowly Lewes.

Woking started the stronger, with Giuseppe Sole (pictured) obviously thriving in a more advanced role just behind Craig Faulconbridge. Five minutes in and it was Sole who headed just over from Nicolau’s cross before his run down the left produced a chance for Moses Ademola.

As the game appeared to be settling down and the visitors began to get a foothold, a piece of magic ensued. The Cards won a free-kick on the edge of the area and all eyes immediately turned to top scorer and set piece specialist, Sole. In stunning style Gez got the ball up and down, crashing it against the underside of the bar on its way into the top corner.

Despite little to play for, and without top scorer Warren McBean, loaned to Chelmsford, Bromley continued to press forward. Looking especially dangerous on the counter, ex-Card Steve Ferguson consistently led the line well, his shot wide the best the Lillywhites produced in the opening half hour.

However, the Cards continued to have the better of the first half chances as Moses Ademola’s skilful touch and lightning pace almost allowed the winger a sight of goal. Harry Arter was next to be denied, keeper Wes Foderingham smothering as the midfielder struggled to get the ball out from under his feet.

With five minutes remaining in the half, the visitors struck back, although not without controversy. From nowhere Salifou Ibrahima found himself clean through on Ross Worner’s goal. As the Woking keeper attempted to close the angle and the pair clashed the ball trickled free. Steve Ferguson turned it home joyfully against his former employers as Woking players and fans alike appealed in vain for offside. Despite the near certainty of many, all protests were waved away.

Half-time: Woking 1 Bromley 1

The second period began in much slower fashion, the home side making an early change as Harry Arter’s comeback was ended prematurely by the introduction of Mark Ricketts. It was shots wide from first Sole and then Ricketts that came closest to producing a third goal.

As the game appeared to be slipping away, Ferguson and co looking more and more dangerous for the visitors, Baker introduced a tactical gamble, bringing on Charlie Moone for Nicky Nicolau. Moone’s introduction, taking a position on the right, resulted in a move wide left for Sole, with Moses joining Faulconbridge up front, who was beginning to run out of steam. He was soon replaced by Matthew Wright, who continued to look for the headed flicks.

Despite all the changes it was a tactical switch by the visitors that allowed the Cards to make the breakthrough. Ferguson, frustrated by the excellence of Aswad Thomas on the left, switched flanks to try his luck against Ricky Anane. Having been unable to demonstrate his usual attacking style all day, due to the threat of the Bromley winger, Thomas took his first opportunity to make ground down the touchline. A long ball up from Sole was collected smartly by Ademola, who did well to hold up play as his full back overlapped him. Collecting the ball, Thomas aimed his cross towards the head of Matthew Wright at the far post. A combination of goalkeeper, defender and post looked to have kept the effort out until Ricketts, following in, stabbed the ball home.

A frantic finale ensued, as the Lilywhites attempted to find a second leveller. At the other end. a cheeky 45 yard attempt from Tony Sinclair, at a free-kick, almost caught the keeper unaware before three close-range efforts from Ademola only just failed to extend the lead.

In the final minute, as Charlie Moone held the ball in the corner, Ibrahima clumsily cut down his man. Having already been booked, the midfielder, much to his disgust, was given his marching orders for dissent.

With this victory the home side move up a single place to seventh and, coupled with Bath’s victory over Staines, now sit just two points outside the top five. Success away to Maidenhead on Tuesday night will see Woking move above both sides into that decisive fifth spot. Matthew Wright’s triumphant punch of the air said more than words could do at full time, as the Cards hung on to their now growing play-off hopes.

Woking: Ross Worner, Ricky Anane, Aswad Thomas, Jerome Maledon, Tom Hutchinson, Tony Sinclair, Moses Ademola, Harry Arter (Mark Ricketts 51), Craig Faulconbridge (Matthew Wright 68), Giuseppe Sole, Nicky Nicolau (Charlie Moone 64).
Unused Subs: Jon Boardman, Matt Pegler.
Goals: Sole 18, Ricketts 75.
Bromley: Foderingham, Udoji, Fray (Farrar 82), Daly, Sobers, Gillman, Carew, Ibrahima, Butler (Smith 86), Hall, Ferguson.
Unused Subs: Greene, Henriques, Dunk.
Booked: Ibrahima 24, 89, Ferguson 36, Sobers 50, Daly 85.
Sent off: Ibrahima 89.
Man of the Match: Sole
Attendance: 1216