Woking Wealdstone
Vanarama National League
24th February 2024

Michael Doyle made three changes to the side beaten at Ebbsfleet in midweek, with Will Jaaskelainen making his first start since November in place of Alexis Andre Jr. Also making way were Luke Wikinson and Dennon Lewis, who both missed out on the squad in place of Scott Cuthbert and Rohan Ince.

Their visitors Wealdstone had two ex-Cards in the starting lineup in the form of Jack Cook and Tarryn Allarakhia, whilst Max Kretzschmar was on their bench.

Wealdstone kicked the game off towards the KRE, and they dominated the early proceedings. A free kick from Aaron Henry flew just wide of Jaaskelainen’s far post as the Stones looked to start quickly. A few nice openings from Wealdstone courtesy of intricate play from their midfield meant the Cards had to be alert; on one occasion, good defending from Scott Cuthbert and Josh Casey prevented Corie Andrews from a one-on-one opportunity.

After the ball rebounded favourably for Allarakhia to run in behind on 29 minutes, Jaaskelainen had to be alert to come out and make a good save with his body. After 36 minutes, Woking finally had their first real attack of the game, with Casey picking up the ball down the left, driving towards goal after beating Charlie Seaman, but Marcus Dewhurst was able to collect his attempted cross.

A long ball from Jaaskelainen on the stroke of half time was beautifully taken down by Jayden Luker, and his shot was well saved by Dewhurst to his left. From the following corner, Scott Cuthbert’s free header went wide when he should have done better, a good end to a half in which Woking barely had the ball.

Half-time: Woking 0-0 Wealdstone

After more constant Stones pressure, the first shot of the second half came when Allarakhia cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a curler from the edge of the box, but the ball flew wide of the top right-hand corner.

On 58 minutes, good link up between Cook and Allarakhia saw the latter fire an effort towards goal from his left foot, but Jaaskelainen did push to tip the ball behind for a corner. On 66 minutes, Wealdstone took the lead, when Jaydn Mundle-Smith’s low cross was poked home at the back post by Nathan Ferguson.

Woking aimed to respond immediately, and when Curtis Edwards’ low drive cannonned back off the post, it was almost the perfect response.

The equaliser came on 78 minutes when a peach of a cross from substitute Manny Oyeleke was met by fellow sub Charley Kendall, whose header flew into the top corner and gave the Cards a lift.

As the Cards went for the win, Walker’s free kick had to be parried away by Dewhurst, before a Cuthbert header from another Oyeleke delivery was almost met by a touch at the far post.

In stoppage time, a Casey cross deflected into the path of Oyeleke, whose low volley went just wide of the bottom corner, before a superb Edwards delivery found Moss at the back post, but he couldn't keep his volley down. A point a fair reflection on the game, and Woking will hope to take all three when they host Gateshead on Tuesday night.



Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Lewis Walker, Rohan Ince (Oyeleke 68’), Tunji Akinola (Kendall 77’), Curtis Edwards, Ricky Korboa, Dion Kelly-Evans, Jayden Luker (Moss 64’), Max Dyche

Unused subs: Anderson, Osew

Bookings: Edwards 54’, Kelly-Evans 78’

Goals: Kendall 78’

Wealdstone: Marcus Dewhurst, Jack Cook, Charlie Barker, Tarryn Allarakhia (Bowen 93’), Nathan Ferguson (Dyer 82’), Corie Andrews (Cook-Appiah 74’), Charlie Seaman, Jack Young, Jaydn Mundle-Smith, Aaron Henry, Brandon Mason

Unused subs: Woodman, Kretzschmar

Bookings: Barker 89’, Dewhurst 90’

Goals: Ferguson 66’

Attendance: 2221