Lovetts

WOKING 2 ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDX) 3

Brian Caffarey
12:00am, Tue 5th May 2009

Woking 2 Ashford Town (Middx) 3

Surrey Senior Cup Final

5 May 2009

It was perhaps only fitting that, at the end of a dreadful season, the Cards should round it off with defeat in the Surrey Senior Cup Final to a team from the Ryman Premier League: a warning, if one was needed, that life in the Conference South will not be a bed of roses.

If that sounds disrespectful to Ashford Town, it is not meant to be. After looking as though they would be played off the park in the first twenty minutes, they rallied well and had the better of the second half as they came back from 2-1 down and ran out deserved winners with a lively and committed display.

Woking lined up with Ross Worner in goal, a central defensive pairing of Paul Lorraine and Dan Sintim, with Goma Lambu and Anson Cousins outside them, although Danny Bunce, in midfield, and Anson appeared to swap roles at times. Ahead of them were Charlie Moone, Bradley Quamina, Giuseppe Sole, Wilfried Domoraud and Joel Ledgister in an attacking team selection.

It looked promising for Cards fans in the opening phase as Gez Sole ? perhaps playing his last game in a Woking shirt ? reminded us just how influential and creative a player he can be when on song. Joel Ledgister too sparkled initially on the left flank and the Ashford defence struggled to contain Wilfried Domoraud.

With less than a minute gone, Sole chipped a delightful pass into Domoraud?s path, with the burly striker?s shot being deflected into the side netting by the Ashford keeper.

Sole continued to pull the strings as he flicked a clever ball into the box and then had a fine run and shot. Anson Cousins got in on the act in the 15th minute with an adventurous run, which resulted in a low left-footed shot which rebounded off the inside of the far post.

But it was the familiar story of not making chances count as Ashford scored in the 23rd minute with virtually their first attack of the evening. After Sole had cleverly pulled the ball back from the byeline, the ball was cleared upfield quickly and, with the Woking defence trailing, Byron Harrison slotted the ball past Worner to give the Tangerines a wholly unexpected lead.

The Cards replied almost instantly, though, as Sole?s persistence in the box caused the ball to run loose to Charlie Moone, who finished with a skilful ?dinked? shot over the keeper to level the scores at 1-1.

In the 33rd minute Worner had a nervous moment as a free-kick from out wide found its way into the top corner but, fortunately, the referee blew up for an infringement.

By now the Cards had lost their early momentum and advantage as Ashford began to wrest control of the midfield. Nevertheless Domoraud hit a fierce shot over the bar and, just before half-time, Bunce shot just wide of the far post.

Half-time: Woking 1 Ashford Town (Middx) 1

Woking started the second half in enterprising fashion, with Sole again prominent as he switched the point of attack. With only four minutes more played, the Cards were awarded a free-kick in the perfect place for a ?Gez special? and he duly obliged, as the ball rocketed into the far corner of the net.

Unfortunately, the Cards did not press on and make the game safe. For a while they continued to have plenty of the attacking play but without creating any clear chances, although Domoraud?s lack of control forfeited a good opportunity in the 57th minute after another perceptive chipped pass from Sole. Charlie Moone too went close with a lovely chip, which the keeper managed to tip over the bar.

Ashford, though, were beginning to look increasingly dangerous going forward, with Worner being called into action to palm a free-kick over the bar and save another effort and, very soon, it became apparent that the initiative now lay with them.

The equaliser came in the 72nd minute, with a magnificent strike from Ricky Wellard. As the ball was laid back to him, he struck it superbly, and the ball was still rising as it rifled into the top corner of the Woking net.

With the game now very open, Ashford almost claimed a quick third goal as the Cards defence scrambled the ball away, whilst another effort went narrowly wide. Woking responded with a scramble of their own in the opposition box and then Lorraine?s header back across, from a corner, was nearly put away by Domoraud at the far post. Delano Sam-Yorke, on as a substitute for Ledgister, powered forward and lashed a fierce dipping effort over the bar.

In the 84th minute, though, Ashford grabbed what proved to be the winning goal. A long throw was not cleared properly and Jon Palmer swivelled quickly to lash the ball into the net.

Anson Cousins nearly forced extra time as his quick feet took him inside a defender in the box but the Ashford keeper did well to stick out a leg to block his shot. But that was the final throw of the dice before the referee?s whistle signalled joyful celebrations from the Ashford contingent.

Woking: Ross Worner, Goma Lambu, Paul Lorraine, Dan Sintim, Anson Cousins, Charlie Moone, Bradley Quamina, Giuseppe Sole, Danny Bunce, Joel Ledgister (Delano Sam-Yorke, 67), Wilfried Domoraud

Subs not used: Patrick Kinsella, Justin Clayton, Gavin Miller, Luke Baker

My MOTM: Giuseppe Sole (pictured)

Shop Online

adidas 1/4 Zip Training Top

adidas 1/4 Zip Training Top

BUY NOW »
adidas 2023/24 Away Shirt

adidas 2023/24 Away Shirt

BUY NOW »
adidas 2023/24 Home Shirt

adidas 2023/24 Home Shirt

BUY NOW »
adidas Laithwaite Financial Services Boz's Fruit and Veg Jewson MKJ Peacock Construction Seymours The National League Vanarama

Woking Football Club Limited
A company incorporated in England and Wales (company number: ‍03329172)
Registered office The Laithwaite Community Stadium, Kingfield, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9AA

Click here to read our Data Protection Privacy Policy
Click here to read our Accessibility Statement