Woking 2-0 Maidenhead United
Vanarama National League
11th March 2023

Darren Sarll made three changes to the side defeated at Oldham on Tuesday, with Rhys Browne, back from suspension, starting with Ricky Korboa and Luke Wilkinson, as Marcus Dackers, Solomon Nwabuokei and Joe McNerney dropped to the bench.

With barely 90 seconds on the clock, neat link up between Padraig Amond and Browne saw the latter fire just wide from the angle.

The Cards dominated the early exchanges, but a resolute Maidenhead defence kept chances limited. With 25 minutes gone, pressure from Korboa almost sent a clearance from Magpies ‘keeper Alexis Andre into the back of the net, almost identical to James Daly’s goal against the other Magpies, Notts County, in October.

Korboa was involved moments later, as a superb Amond cross met his head, but was deflected over the bar after superb Maidenhead defending.

From the following corner, the Cards took the lead when Casey’s ball was met by Amond, who headed the ball past the hapless Andre Jr.

Woking went into half time with a deserved 1-0 lead, with the wide players, as well as Amond and Browne causing problems for the Magpies’ defence.

Half-time: Woking 1-0 Maidenhead United

Woking started the second half well, looking to add to their goal advantage, and Amond’s free kick with just a few minutes gone sailed narrowly over the bar.

A superb Woking move involving some excellent one touch football saw the ball finally find Kyran Lofthouse, but he had two shots which were both well blocked by Maidenhead defenders, as the Cards looked to take control of the game.

Korboa then curled wide after more excellent Woking play around the hour mark, but another excellent Cards chance saw Browne well tackled from a few yards out.

Maidenhead had their first notable chance of the game on 68 minutes when Will Jaaskelainen was called into action to prevent Sam Barratt’s free kick from finding the back of the net.

The Cards had their second on 72 minutes when Luke Wilkinson’s long-range free kick took a deflection and nestled in the top corner. A slice of fortune for the Cards, perhaps, but deserved given their overall domination.

Scott Cuthbert’s header was well saved by Andre Jr as Woking looked to put the game beyond doubt, with Browne unable to convert the following effort.

Solomon Nwabuokei almost scored his first Woking goal with a thunderous strike, hitting the crossbar from the edge of the box, as the Cards looked to add a third, but 2-0 was how it would finish.

An excellent performance from Woking and the perfect response to defeat in midweek, with several players back in the starting line up proving Sarll right ahead of next week’s six-pointer against Chesterfield on BT Sport.

Woking: 22 Will Jaaskelainen, 2 Kyran Lofthouse, 3 Josh Casey, 4 Scott Cuthbert, 6 Luke Wilkinson (29 Sass-Davies 93’), 7 Ricky Korboa (16 Nwabuokei 76’), 10 Padraig Amond, 12 Dan Moss, 14 Rhys Browne (20 Dackers 85’), 17 Jim Kellermann, 24 Rohan Ince

Unused subs: Craig Ross, Joe McNerney

Goals: Padraig Amond 31’, Luke Wilkinson 72’

Bookings: Luke Wilkinson 42’

Maidenhead United: Alexis Andre Jr, Zico Asare, Sam Barratt (Panayiotou 73’), Ashley Nathaniel-George (Acquah 70’), Shawn McCoulsky, Kane Ferdinand, Idris Odutayo, Adam Leathers (Smith 65’), Temi Eweka, Alan Massey, Charlee Adams

Unused subs: Sam Beckwith, Joe Walsh

Referee: Lloyd Wood

Attendance: 2671

Man of the Match: Luke Wilkinson fitted seamlessly back into the side and grabbed himself a goal, but special mentions must go to Ricky Korboa and Rhys Browne who were both part of an excellent attacking performance.