Woking 1-2 Oxford United
Emirates FA Cup First Round
16th November 2022

After being moved and postponed due to the horrific weather on Sunday 6th November, the Cards finally got the chance to welcome League One side Oxford United to the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

In front of over 4,000 on a cold and damp Wednesday night, Darren Sarll decided to make just the solitary change from Saturday’s hard-fought win at Boreham Wood, with Oxford academy graduate Kyran Lofthouse replacing Reece Grego-Cox, who dropped to the bench.

As expected, following heavy rainfall before and during the game, the opening ten minutes were rather scrappy, although the Cards did hit the bar in rather fortuitous circumstances. Jim Kellermann was looking to pass the ball backwards, but his pass took a wicked deflection off an Oxford United player and flew towards goal, but luckily for Oxford keeper Ed McGinty, it cannoned off the bar and behind for a goal kick.

The pitch was starting to absorb more and more water, which meant that the bounce was unpredictable at times. James Daly and Lofthouse were struggling to get down the flanks as a result of this, meaning that the game was mostly contested in the midfield.

Woking continued to look for an opening, and Padraig Amond tested McGinty on the half hour mark. But just under ten minutes later, it would be the U’s who struck first blood.

A teasing cross from Steve Seddon was tapped across the six-yard box by Matty Taylor, and Billy Bodin just managed to beat Craig Ross to the skidding ball and prod home, despite Woking protests for a foul on the Cards’ stopper. This was the first goal conceded by Woking since the 25th October.

This seemed like a perfect time for Oxford to score, but just five minutes later, Woking struck back, and in some style. A deep free-kick was headed out to Rohan Ince, and the big midfielder showed all the composure of a prolific striker, as he curled a beautiful effort into the bottom corner.

The referee blew for half time slightly after, with the Cards good value for the score line at the break.

Half-time: Woking 1-1 Oxford United

The sides battled on through more horrendous weather after the break, and it would be Oxford who would draw the killer blow less than ten minutes into the half.

Some excellent build up play saw the ball reach Cameron Brannagan. The midfielder, who received Championship interest recently, played a through ball into young forward Tyler Goodrham, who showed composure beyond his years, slotting the ball confidently past the dive of Ross.

Oxford began to dominate the game afterwards, with Marcus Browne coming close down the left hand side, this time Ross could watch the ball sail past his post. However, their best chance to surely put the game to bed was brilliantly dealt with by Dan Moss. A superb ball across the face of goal looked destined for an Oxford man, but Moss threw his body at the ball and somehow deflected it over his own bar.

Amond and Lofthouse made way for Grego-Cox and Rhys Browne with just under half an hour left, and it would be the Irishman who had the best chance for the Cards. A brilliant ball from the right-hand side found Grego-Cox in acres of space, but he directed his header straight at McGinty. A good save nonetheless, but Woking’s number nine will definitely be disappointed that he didn’t score.

Woking were inches away from not only their goal of the season, but surely a contender for goal of the tournament when Kellermann flicked the ball up, before unleashing an audacious overhead kick that had McGinty beaten, but not the crossbar.

Despite a late flurry of pressure, it wasn’t to be for the Cards, as Oxford advanced to play Exeter City in the Second Round. However, Darren Sarll will be extremely pleased with his side’s ability to more than match a League One opponent, ahead of three consecutive home games, starting with the visit of Altrincham on Saturday 19th November.

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 2 Kyran Lofthouse (14 Browne 62’) 3 Josh Casey (29 Vokins 75’), 4 Scott Cuthbert, 5 Joe McNerney, 8 James Daly, (18 Roles 75’), 10 Padraig Amond (9 Grego-Cox 62’), 12 Dan Moss, 17 Jim Kellermann , 23 Jermaine Anderson (15 Bilongo 90’), 24 Rohan Ince

Unused subs: Ethan Wady

Goals: Ince 43’

Bookings: Dan Moss 65’


Oxford United Ed McGinty, Steve Seddon, Stuart Findlay, Elliott Moore, Djavan Anderson (John Mousinho 84’), Marcus McGuane (Alex Gorrin 80’), Lewis Bate (James Henry 62’), Billy Bodin (Marcus Browne 62’), Cameron Brannagan, Tyler Goodrham, Matty Taylor (Gatlin O’Donkor 63’)

Unused subs: Simon Eastwood, Ciaron Brown, James Golding

Goals: Billy Bodin 39’, Tyler Goodrham 53’

Bookings: Elliott Moore 76’, Gaitlin O’Donkor 96’

Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 4173 (841 Oxford United)