Woking 1-1 Southend United
Vanarama National League
10th April 2023

Darren Sarll made several changes to the side victorious at Dorking on Good Friday; former Shrimper Kacper Lopata dropped to the bench alongside Kyran Lofthouse, whilst James Daly missed out on the squad. In came Scott Cuthbert, Charlie O’Connell and Marcus Dackers; all three made an impact off the bench last time out.

It was the away side who made the brighter start. Billy Sass-Davies was booked for a foul in midfield, and Noor Husin’s shot flew just over the bar, a warning shot for the Cards from the Afghan international.

After an collision between former Card Nathan Ralph and Dan Moss, both were substituted, and the game lost its rhythm. However, Woking started to threaten around the 20 minute mark, and Jim Kellermann had an empty net, but the referee had blown up for a foul by Dackers on Collin Andeng Ndi in goal. Minutes later, Dackers and Rhys Browne combined, but the latter lost his footing as he looked to pull the trigger.

The Shrimpers have a very solid defensive record, and their back five were keeping the Woking attack at bay, with several last ditch interceptions frustrating the Cards in the first half.

Half-time: Woking 0-0 Southend United

Just minutes into the second half, Woking took the lead. A long ball was sent forwards, met by the head of Amond, and former Shrimper Dackers cooly lobbed the ball over Andeng Ndi and into the net.

However, the Shrimpers responded well. A cross from Jack Bridge almost found Harry Cardwell, but good Woking defending saw the danger cleared. But just five minutes later, neat play from Noor Husin saw him thread the ball through to Bridge, who finished cooly past Jaaskelainen. Then, a superb low ball from Bridge somehow evaded Cardwell at the back post with just a touch needed.

Subsitute Solomon Nwabuokei tested Andeng-Ndi with a sweetly hit shot from distance, before a free kick was almost tapped home at the back post by Rohan Ince, as the Cards looked to put some pressure on the Southend backline.

As the 90 minute mark drew closer, a nice move involving Amond and Ince led to the latter receiving the ball just outside the box, but his curled shot was just over the Southend crossbar. There was still time for a penalty shout, when Gus Scott-Morris looked to have handled just inside the penalty area, but the referee waved away desperate Woking appeals.

Full time arrived, with a draw a fair result; a good Southend backline managed to resist the Cards barring one moment, which they then sucker punched minutes later. Despite the draw, results elsewhere mean Woking have secured a playoff place in the 5th tier for the first time in their history, an outstanding achievement for Sarll and his players, with third place, and a home semi final, still well in their sights.

Next up for the Cards, just the small matter of Notts County away live on BT Sport on Saturday.




Woking: 22 Will Jaaskelainen, 3 Josh Casey, 4 Scott Cuthbert, 10 Padraig Amond, 12 Dan Moss (2 Lofthouse 22’), 14 Rhys Browne (16 Nwabuokei 67’), 15 Charlie O’Connell, 17 Jim Kellermann, 20 Marcus Dackers, 24 Rohan Ince, 29 Billy Sass-Davies (5 McNerney 55’)

Unused subs: Craig Ross, Kacper Lopata

Goals: Marcus Dackers 47’

Bookings: Sass-Davies 1’, Ince 29’


Southend United: Colin Andeng Ndi, Gus Scott-Morris, Nathan Ralph (Bridge 8’), Louis Lomas, Shaun Hobson, Ollie Kensdale, Noor Husin (Fonguck 76’), Harry Taylor, Cav Miley, Harry Cardwell, Henry Sandat (Mooney 84’).

Unused subs: Powell, Demetriou

Goals: Bridge 52’

Bookings:

Referee: Matt Corlett
Attendance: 3798
Man of the Match: Jim Kellermann put in an excellent shift in midfield, in a game largely played in the middle third of the park.