Scunthorpe United 0-2 Woking
Vanarama National League
14th January 2023

Woking secured a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe United, in a game where they never really relinquished control.

Darren Sarll made just one change to his Cards side from the 2-1 win over Dagenham and Redbridge, with the injured Rohan Ince making way for Dan Moss. However, there was a welcome return to the bench for Ricky Korboa.

At a chilly Glanford Park, the Cards made a very early breakthrough. With around five minutes on the clock, a superb through ball from Solomon Nwabuokei found Rhys Browne one-on-one with the keeper, and he finished clinically past Owen Foster to notch his 14th goal of the season.

Woking had the ball in the net ten minutes afterwards as well, when Joe McNerney headed home a Josh Casey corner. However, the referee had blown for a foul by Dan Moss in the build-up, and the goal didn’t stand.

Jacob Butterfield had the first effort at goal for Scunthorpe, but it travelled harmlessly wide of Craig Ross’ goal. Scunthorpe began to press forwards, but without creating anything of real note, whilst the Cards aimed to hit them on the break. Jim Kellermann hit a bicycle kick straight at the keeper, but Woking went into half time a goal to the good and in control.

Half-time: Scunthorpe United 0-1 Woking

Scunthorpe began the second half well, testing the Woking resolve with a number of crosses and set pieces, but the Cards’ defence were resolute and had a chance of their own ten minutes into the half. Neat build up play saw Browne presented with a shooting opportunity, but Foster made an excellent save to deny him.

A beautiful cross from Charlie O’Connell was met by Padraig Amond, but he headed over. There was then a long stoppage in the game, as Scunthorpe fans stormed the pitch in protest of their current situation.

Prior to this, the game had been scrappy, with neither side able to sustain possession for too long. However, the Cards were happy to soak up the Scunthorpe pressure, as the Iron had little in the way of clear-cut chances.

Woking started well after the stoppage and had their second on 86 minutes. A neat layoff from Browne found Amond, who dispatched the ball into the bottom corner to double the Cards’ lead.

An inflated 12 minutes of stoppage time went by without a further attempt to note, and Woking registered another away win. This was a professional performance in challenging circumstances, and the Cards will be full of confidence ahead of the visit of 5th placed Barnet to the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 2 Dan Moss (20 Dackers 45’), 3 Josh Casey, 4 Scott Cuthbert, 5 Joe McNerney, 8 James Daly, 10 Padraig Amond, 14 Rhys Browne (2 Lofthouse 87’), 15 Charlie O’Connell, 17 Jim Kellermann, 16 Solomon Nwabuokei (18 Roles 94’)

Unused subs: Ricky Korboa, Tyreke Johnson.

Goals: Rhys Browne 5’, Padraig Amond 86’

Bookings: Dan Moss 22’

Scunthorpe United: Owen Foster, Reagan Ogle, Andrew Boyce, Alfie Beestin, Caolan Lavery, George Taft, Jacob Butterfield (Poulter 66’), Cameron Wilson, Fin Shrimpton (Gallimore 45’), Colin Daniel, Tom Pugh.

Unused subs: Ewan Oxborough, Mason O’Malley, Jai Rowe

Referee: Matthew Dicicco

Attendance: 2825

Man of the Match: Solomon Nwabuokei was once again superb, earning him this accolade for the second game running, however a mention must go to Charlie O’Connell who once again was imperious in defence.