Maidenhead United 1 Woking 0
Vanarama National League
17th September 2022

At a bright and breezy York Road, Woking boss Darren Sarll named an unchanged starting line-up following the excellent 3-0 midweek win over Oldham, with fit again Kyran Lofthouse replacing 'keeper Ethan Wady on the bench. The stadium fell silent for a minute just before kick-off to pay their respects for the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II, which was impeccably observed.

The Cards had the majority of possession, especially in the first half, but were profligate in front of goal and were caught out 15 minutes from time by their hosts who scored from their first real chance of the match to seal a single goal win and steal all three points and thus sent the visitors back to Surrey empty-handed.

The first chance of the match fell to Tyreke Johnson whose shot was blocked by Magpies defender De Havilland before going out for a corner. James Daly then had two great chances for Woking; firstly back-heading onto the inside of the far post from a corner after 20 minutes, with the home defence mere spectators, before seeing another effort go over the bar five minutes later.

The Cards continued to pile the pressure on their hosts with Johnson seeing a second strike blocked and Jermaine Anderson seeing his shot go just wide of the target, although he could be forgiven as he was slightly off balance.

The Magpies then came more into the match as the half ended, with Esan seeing his cross taken comfortably by Craig Ross. Arthur’s free kick was then met by the head of Kpekawa but the ball was collected again by Ross just before the half-time whistle. The Cards could count themselves unfortunate not to have gone to the dressing room in front.

Half-time: Maidenhead United 0 Woking 0

Maidenhead started in the ascendancy as the second half began, controlling possession without creating many chances, before the first real opening of the half fell to Woking on 62 minutes.

Daly stole the ball off substitute Eweka before squaring to Padraig Amond who had space in the box but put his effort over the bar when he should really have scored, or at least forced goalie Gyollai to make a save. Lofthouse had replaced the tiring Johnson a few minutes earlier and then Kellerman was withdrawn; Vokins coming on with twenty minutes left to play.

With Woking starting to grow into the second half, the Magpies brought on McCoulsky for Asare to try and break the deadlock. This had the desired effect as they found themselves ahead after 74 minutes. Nathaniel-George created some space on the right and played the ball across the box for Emile Acquah to tap the ball home from close range with Ross furious at his defence. This was their first chance of the game and The Cards were left to rue their earlier misses.

Josh Casey finally succumbed to an earlier knock with Ricky Korboa taking his place. Acquah almost scored the home side’s second with five minutes left when, after making his way past a couple of defenders, his shot from the edge of the box was well saved by Ross behind for a corner. This was possibly the only save made by either goalkeeper in a match were defences reigned supreme throughout which made for an extremely tight contest.

Maidenhead made one more change bringing on Adams for Arthur to help see the game out to hold on to their advantage with Woking failing to fashion an equaliser throughout the remaining time which was extended by six added minutes.

A return of four points away from home this season leaves Woking in tenth place. Next up for the Cards is a home match against free-scoring Solihull Moors this coming Saturday 24th (15:00) where they will be aiming to get back on track, having lost their recent unbeaten run.

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 3 Josh Casey © (7 Ricky Korboa 78'), 4 Scott Cuthbert, 6 Luke Wilkinson, 8 James Daly, 10 Padraig Amond, 11 Tyreke Johnson (2 Kyran Lofthouse 56’), 12 Dan Moss, 17 Jim Kellermann (29 Jake Vokins 70’), 23 Jermaine Anderson, 24 Rohan Ince

Unused subs: 5 Joe McNerney, 18 Jack Roles

Goals: None

Bookings: Cuthbert 36’, Anderson 51’, Wilkinson 90+5’

Maidenhead United: 1 Dan Gyollai, 2 Zico Asare (21 Temi Eweka 60’) , 4 Will De Havilland, 5 Cole Kpekawa, 8 Ashley Nathaniel-George, 10 Kane Ferdinand, 14 Emile Acquah, 16 Samson Esan (9 Shawn McCoulsky 72’) , 19 Ryan Upward, 20 Koby Arthur (27 Charlee Adams 80’), 24 Alan Massey ©

Unused subs: 15 Idris Odutayo, 23 Adrian Clifton

Goals: Acquah 74’

Bookings: Asare 21’, Ferdinand 70’, Upward 81’

Referee: Gary Parsons

Attendance: 1409 (No official away attendance, but at least 400)

Man of the Match: Josh Casey led the team well, but James Daly came closest to scoring and also fashioned the best chance for Amond