LCS Events
3:00pm - FridayFri 29th MarchMar 2024
The Laithwaite Community Stadium | Att: 3285

Woking
Woking
0 - 1

Eastleigh
Eastleigh

Match Preview and Guide | Eastleigh (H)

William Bewsey
12:56pm, Wed 27th Mar 2024
Woking vs Eastleigh
Vanarama National League
Friday 29th March 2024
15:00 Kick-Off



Woking will look to kick off the Easter weekend in style when they host Eastleigh at the Laithwaite on Good Friday.

The Cards never really looked troubled during their 0-0 draw at Southend at Roots Hall last Saturday, which gave them back-to-back clean sheets; Michael Doyle’s side have conceded just seven in their last eight games.

With that in mind, Doyle moved to bring in two attacking players, with Alan Judge and Lee Angol both getting minutes against the Shrimpers, however, Angol was forced off after taking a knock.

Opposition Watch
Three managers, one of the best attacks in the division, but one of the worst attacks too, look away from Eastleigh at your peril this season, because there’s always something happening. Seemingly coasting to safety after an impressive 2-0 win against Bromley in front of the TNT cameras in late February, just two points from five games has seen them looking over their shoulders once again.

Former Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis was given the reins after Richard Hill was dismissed following a 3-0 defeat at Ebbsfleet last month that saw the Spitfires go eleven without a win in all competitions. 2024 has been disastrous so far for the club, as they’ve gone from a whisker away from the playoffs to joining the relegation battle.

However, in serial goalscorer Paul McCallum, they have the league’s top scorer. 30 goals from 33 games after joining from Dagenham in the summer would normally be enough to have your side competing at the top end. But only Oxford City have conceded more than Eastleigh’s 81 goals, including ten in their last four games, which has been the Spitfires’ Achilles heel, and they will have to fix up at the back or risk the very real threat of relegation.

Last Time Out
A breakaway goal from Dennon Lewis gave the Cards all the points at the Silverlake in a 1-0 win in October, which was also the scoreline in both fixtures last season, as both sides won their home games 1-0; Eastleigh in February 2023 thanks to Vincent Harper, and Woking in October 2022 thanks to Jahmari Clarke.

Of the 26 meetings between the sides, Woking have won nine, Eastleigh seven, and there have been ten draws.

Around the Ground
Ticket information is available here.

Under 14s can attend with a paying adult or concession for just £1, more information is available here.

Match Report | Cards defeated by resilient Spitfires

William Bewsey
4:58pm, Fri 29th Mar 2024
Woking 0-1 Eastleigh
Vanarama National League
29th March 2024

Michael Doyle made one change from the side who secured a point at Southend. Jermaine Anderson missed out, with Alan Judge in for his full debut. There were also welcome returns to the bench for Reece Grego-Cox and Ricky Korboa.

Elsewhere, the visitors had two former Cards in their lineup. Jake Vokins, signed on loan from Southampton this morning and Solomon Nwabuokei both starting for the Spitfires.

Woking kicked off towards the KRE, but it was Eastleigh with the first half chance of the game. Four minutes in, a long throw was punched by Will Jaaskelainen, but Jake Taylor couldn’t keep his volley down.

After a glimpse of Jayden Luker’s footwork with eight minutes gone, firing his shot straight at Joe McDonnell, Curtis Edwards forced a full stretch save from the Eastleigh keeper, tipping the ball over the bar after a sweet strike from the midfielder.

Kevin Berkoe was having a field day against young Oscar Rutherford, and superb play between him and Judge saw the latter force McDonnell into action, before saves from Judge again and Pavey kept the Eastleigh keeper busy.

Berkoe danced past Rutherford again, appearing to be fouled by the defender, but the referee waved the appeals away.

But a sucker punch from Eastleigh came when former Card Solomon Nwabuokei headed in at the near post following a good inswinging corner after 28 minutes.

On the stroke of half time, Dan Moss hit the bar after a superb delivery from Judge but the Cards went into the break a goal behind.


Half-time: Woking 0-1 Eastleigh

After a quiet 15 minutes, Chris Maguire nearly caught out Jaaskelainen from the halfway line, but luckily for the Finn, the ball sailed just over his crossbar.

Berkoe’s run and cross saw Edwards side foot a volley towards goal, unfortunately for Woking, it was straight at McDonnell.

Despite throwing everything at the Spitfires, they held on to claim three vital points in their own survival push. As for the Cards, it’s onto Bromley away on Good Friday.


Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Kevin Berkoe, Timi Odusina (Delap 36’), Alan Judge, Luke Wilkinson, Scott Cuthbert, Alfie Pavey (Korboa 64’), Curtis Edwards, Charley Kendall (Grego-Cox 76’), Jayden Luker

Unused subs: Casey, Ince, RGC

Eastleigh: Joe McDonnell, Ludwig Francilette, Jake Taylor (Atangana 88’), Paul McCallum, George Langston, Lee Hodson, Luke Croll, Solomon Nwabuokei, Chris Maguire (Boldewijn 64’), Oscar Rutherford (Quigley 64’), Jake Vokins

Unused subs: Reeves, Merry

Bookings: Francilette 83’, McDonnell 84’

Goals: Nwabuokei 28’

Attendance: 3285

Man of the Match: Dan Moss
WOKING LINEUP
22Will Jaaskelainen
2Dan Moss
38Kevin Berkoe
21Timi Odusina ('36)
4Scott Cuthbert
6Luke Wilkinson
32Curtis Edwards
20Alan Judge
31Jayden Luker
33Charley Kendall ('76)
29Alfie Pavey ('64)
BENCH
3Josh Casey
25Finn Delap ('36)
24Rohan Ince
7Ricky Korboa ('64)
9Reece Grego-Cox ('76)
Eastleigh LINEUP
1Joe McDonnell
21Oscar Rutherford ('64)
33Jake Vokins
6Ludwig Francillette
14Lee Hodson
15Luke Croll
8Jake Taylor ('88)
16Solomon Nwabuokei
12George Langston
9Paul McCallum
17Chris Maguire ('64)
BENCH
4Nigel Atangana ('88)
7Ben Reeves
11Enzio Boldewijn ('64)
20Scott Quigley ('64)
Will Merry

Woking 0-1 Eastleigh | Extended Match Highlights

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