Match Preview | Dynamic Cards aiming to make it three wins in a row and continue fine form

Glen Harrington
7:00pm, Mon 3rd Oct 2022

Southend United vs Woking
Vanarama National League
Tuesday 4th October 2022

Woking will be aiming for a third successive win and a fourth in the last five National League games on Tuesday evening when they travel to Southend United.

The Cards shook off their away day hoodoo to claim only a second win on the road this season on Saturday. FC Halifax Town were thrashed 4-0, thanks to a brace from Reece Grego-Cox, a fifth goal of the season for top scorer James Daly, plus an own goal, which came courtesy of more good work from Daly, giving Woking their biggest win of the season so far. The result kept the Cards in the play-off places, with an impressive 19 points from their first 11 games, whilst also recording a fifth clean sheet.

Manager Darren Sarll’s only concern will be injuries, with Jim Kellermann and Scott Cuthbert both forcibly withdrawn, although Jermaine Anderson and Joe McNerney proved more than capable understudies at the Shay. Their potential absence, combined with an ongoing bout of illness in the squad which sidelined Jack Roles and up to two others on Saturday, will be a worry with such a short turnaround time before the next game.

Opposition Watch

Southend are in their second season in the National League following successive relegations in 2020 and 2021. The Shrimpers recovered from a hugely difficult start to finish 13th last season, with manager Kevin Maher steering the club well clear of relegation, having replaced Phil Brown in October last year.

The club had a productive summer, bringing in 12 new players, predominately exciting young talents from lower down the pyramid, with former Woking striker Jake Hyde, who arrived on loan from Wrexham, the only new signing over the age of 27. Notable new additions included Barnet defender Harry Taylor, Altrincham winger Dan Mooney, and Barnet midfielder Wesley Fonguck. An incredible 18 players left the club, including striker Sam Dalby who joined Wrexham, as well as veterans such as Josh Coulson, John White, Will Atkinson, James Dunne, and Simeon Akinola.

Despite being tipped by many for a play-off place this season, it’s been a mixed start to the campaign for Maher’s side, who sit 11th after as many games, with 15 points thus far. They are, however, unbeaten in their last three games without conceding, having claimed a credible goalless draw with Wrexham, before 1-0 wins over Wealdstone and Yeovil Town. But that only came after back-to-back defeats at home to struggling Torquay and away to Chesterfield. Of their 11 games thus far, 10 have seen the two teams separated by one goal or less.

As well as Hyde and Taylor, there are two other former Woking players in the Southend squad: defender Nathan Ralph is the club captain, whilst former loanee Harry Cardwell is amongst their striking options. Their top scorer is midfielder Callum Powell with three.

Recent Meetings

• Woking 2-3 Southend United – 12th February 2022, National League (Effiong 2)
• Southend United 0-2 Woking – 13th November 2021, National League (Campbell, Kretzschmar)

Tickets

Ticket prices are £20 for Adults, Concessions £15 (60+, 17-22, student with ID, emergency services), Juniors (9-16) £10, and Under 5s £5. For more information and to book your ticket please click here.

Match Report | Cards earn point at Roots Hall

Daniel O'Sullivan
2:03pm, Wed 5th Oct 2022

Southend United 1 Woking 1
Vanarama National League
4th October 2022

Woking earned a point at Roots Hall in a 1-1 draw with Southend United on Tuesday evening in the Vanarama National League.

Reece Grego-Cox’s first-half strike was cancelled out by Marcus Dackers’ equaliser in the second half.

The Cards remain in the play-off places while Southend drop to 13th.

Darren Sarll’s starting XI had two changes from Saturday’s comprehensive victory at Halifax Town, with Scott Cuthbert and Jim Kellermann dropping out for Joe McNerney and Jermaine Anderson.

As has been a common theme in games so far this season, Woking started strong. Grego-Cox and Lofthouse both went close with efforts ten minutes in, following tidy moves on the wings.

The fast start was rewarded as Grego-Cox scored his third goal in the last two games, turning well on the edge of the box following a throw-in, before arrowing an effort past a helpless Andeng Ndi in the hosts’ net. 0-1.

James Daly was also looking to continue his fine form and had an effort go wide for a corner twenty minutes in following a strong run from his own half, shrugging off two challenges.

Southend had their first good chance of the game through ex-Card Jake Hyde, but his effort after a long throw into the box caused Craig Ross no problems.

Bookings were picked up by Dan Moss and Kyran Lofthouse on 30 and 40 minutes.

As the ball was hung back in the box following a corner, the lead was almost doubled just before the break as Lofthouse managed to guide a header towards the top right corner, but he was denied expertly by Andeng Ndi.

Half-time: Southend United 0 Woking 1

Woking were the first to create in the second half with Lofthouse at the heart of the action again, driving towards the edge of the box before crossing low across the face of goal. Attackers were incoming, but it was just out of reach at the far post.

Jermaine Anderson picked up a booking on 49 minutes for a lunge 20 yards from goal. The resulting free-kick, whilst in a dangerous area, was put high and wide of Ross’ goal.

The pressure was mounting on the Cards defence, and after 20 minutes of standing firm and limiting Southend to possession and numerous half-chances, Marcus Dackers latched onto a loose ball and volleyed past Craig Ross from 12 yards on 66 minutes. 1-1.

The Cards regained control of the game for the final 15 minutes following a booking to Hobson for the hosts. Yellows were also distributed to Southend’s Husin and Lopata, and Casey, Daly and Wilkinson for Woking following a clash in added time.

134 supporters made the journey to Essex and their applause to the Woking players was reciprocated come full-time. Next up for the Cards is Notts County at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday 8th, before facing Southend United again in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 15th.

Full-time: Southend United 1 Woking 1

Southend United: 30 Andeng-Ndi, 2 Scott Morriss, 5 Hobson, 22 Mooney (18 Fonguck 83'), 7 Bridge, 6 Kensdale, 8 Husin, 15 Dackers, 17 Miley, 22 Lopata, 39 Hyde (11 Powell 87')

Bookings: Hobson 74’, Husin 90’, Lopata 90’

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 2 Kyran Lofthouse (29 Vokins 61’), 3 Josh Casey ©, 5 Joe McNerney, 6 Luke Wilkinson, 8 James Daly, 9 Reece Grego-Cox (7 Korboa 71’), 10 Padraig Amond (25 Nelson 90+5’), 12 Dan Moss, 23 Jermaine Anderson, 24 Rohan Ince

Bookings: Moss 30’, Lofthouse 40’, Anderson 49’, Casey 90’, Wilkinson 90’, Daly 90’

Referee: Jason Richardson

Attendance: 5.024 (134 Woking supporters)

Man of the Match: Reece Grego-Cox

Southend United LINEUP
30	Collin Andeng-Ndi
2	Gus Scott-Morriss
22	Kacper Łopata
5	Shaun Hobson
6	Ollie Kensdale
7	Jack Bridge
8	Noor Husin
17	Cavaghn Miley
10	Dan Mooney ('83)
15	Marcus Dackers
39	Jake Hyde ('87)
BENCH
4	Louis Lomas
12	Tom Clifford
11	Callum Powell ('87)
18	Wesley Fonguck ('83)
19	Chris Wreh

WOKING LINEUP
13	Craig Ross
12	Dan Moss
3	Josh Casey
6	Luke Wilkinson
5	Joe McNerney
24	Rohan Ince
23	Jermaine Anderson
2	Kyran Lofthouse ('61)
8	James Daly
9	Reece Grego-Cox ('71)
10	Padraig Amond ('90)
BENCH
25	Sid Nelson ('90)
29	Jake Vokins ('61)
18	Jack Roles
11	Tyreke Johnson
7	Ricky Korboa ('71)