Woking 1-2 Bromley
Vanarama National League
3rd May 2023

Darren Sarll made four changes to the side victorious over Solihull Moors on the weekend, with Scott Cuthbert, Joe McNerney, Padraig Amond and James Daly in for Kacper Lopata, Luke Wilkinson, Kyran Lofthouse and Rhys Browne, as all but Browne took their places on the bench.

With both ends sold out for Woking’s first ever National League playoff appearance, this was somewhat familiar territory for Bromley; they finished 7th in 2020/21 and bowed out at eventual playoff winners Hartlepool United in the eliminator.

And the noise from the KRE could be heard with half an hour until kick off, as the Cards aimed to extend their season even further.

With the BT Sport cameras in place, Bromley got the game underway, and for the first few minutes, it was constant pressure from the away side, as dangerman Michael Cheek forced a save from Will Jaaskelainen from a long throw, before Deji Elerewe had a big chance from a corner, with his free header straight into Jaaskelainen’s arms.

However, despite their dominance, it would be Woking who drew first blood after 13 minutes, with a memorable finish from Rohan Ince. After Jim Kellermann’s shot was blocked, the ball fell to Ince, and he fired the ball into the roof of the net to liven up the game, and send the crowd wild.

However, Kellermann went off injured after 34 minutes, and was replaced by Kyran Lofthouse, and Bromley began to threaten once again, with a number of free kicks and corners leading to Jaaskelainen having to mop up some loose balls.

With half time on the horizon, Bromley had their best chance yet, when Cheek forced a great save from Jaaskelainen, before Josh Casey blocked Kellen Fisher’s goalbound effort superbly. Half time then followed, with the Cards one up thanks to some excellent blocks and a Rohan Ince stunner.

Half-time: Woking 1-0 Bromley

The Cards started the second half with intent, as Dackers fired wide inside the first minute, before a Lofthouse cutback nearly gave Amond a chance to fire a shot at goal. Woking then had a huge chance, when a Dackers flick saw Amond bearing down on goal, but the Irishman’s shot was blocked, before a curling effort was tipped round the post by Charles-Cook.

However, on 58 minutes, Bromley had a penalty after a foul by Moss, and Cheek slotted the ball into the bottom corner to restore parity. After this, the away side once again had their tails up, and after Cheek combined with Fisher, there was relief when the full back’s shot ended up safely in Jaaskelainen’s arms.

Bromley took the lead with 13 minutes left, a long throw found Deji Elerewe, and he looped his header into the back of the net. And in truth, the away side managed the game out without any problems whatsoever, as Woking were eliminated from the playoffs.

It's important to reflect on what has been an amazing season for the Cards, having finished 15th last season, to get 82 points and 4th place is a great achievement. However, luck with injuries has let them down recently; with just two fit central midfielders left on the pitch at full time, and indeed, in the squad, the task of beating a Bromley side unbeaten in their previous nine was just too big of an ask. For the Ravens, it's a trip to Chesterfield away on Sunday, where they will look to spring another surprise.


Woking: 22 Will Jaaskelainen, 3 Josh Casey, 4 Scott Cuthbert (18 Lopata 75’), 5 Joe McNerney, 8 James Daly, 10 Padraig Amond, 12 Dan Moss (21 Wakefield 80’), 16 Solomon Nwabuokei, 17 Jim Kellermann (2 Lofthouse 34’), 20 Marcus Dackers, 24 Rohan Ince

Unused subs: Luke Wilkinson, Craig Ross

Goals: Ince 13’

Bookings:


Bromley: Reice Charles-Cook, Callum Reynolds, Omar Sowumni, Michael Cheek, Louis Dennis (Marriott 50’), Ryan Stirk, Corey Whiteley, Jude Arthurs, Besart Topalloj, Deji Elerewe, Kellen Fisher.

Unused subs: Bingham, Bergkamp, Webster, Forster

Goals: Cheek 60', Elerewe 77'

Bookings:

Referee: Lewis Smith
Attendance: 5033 (987 Bromley)
Man of the Match: Will Jaaskelainen