MKJ Group

Woking move up to third with win at Lewes

11:06pm, Sat 29th Aug 2009
Bob Cumming has kindly filed this report of this afternoon's game at Lewes.

BAKER SENT OFF

Bank Holiday Saturday, 29th August, 2009
Blue Square South
Lewes……………….(0) 0 Woking ………….. (1) 2
Anane 43’, Moone 89’
Att: 675

On a bright and breezy day a good contingent of Woking fans made the trip to Lewes’ naturally verdant bowl at the Dripping Pan. Many of the perpetually noisy and enthusiastic visitors had been soaking up the history and hospitality in the ancient dwellings around this uniquely-styled ground, and were determined to enjoy their day out in the sunshine. Woking’s players did not disappoint them. Let’s hope it is not the last visit and the Cards’ hard-earned points are secure, as Lewes, with debts to the HMRC of £110,000, face a winding-up order on Wednesday. Their chairman is confident that contributions from a local benefactor, and by many of the town’s folk, will convince the hearing that the club can battle on. However, if the club go out of business these points will go with them.

Graham Baker and Jimmy Dack must have been very happy that Woking kept their shape throughout the game, albeit opting for a slightly defensive “away game” option, and playing for the breaks. Ross Worner was again secure in goal although, to be honest, he was rarely troubled, such was the defensive prowess of Anane, Sinclair, Hutchinson and Thomas in front of him. Mark Ricketts swept up all in his covering role before them, linking with Ademola, Arter, Sole and Sloma in midfield with each of these taking a turn in supporting Craig Watkins up front. Their overall play was impressive until the last 20 yards when the final ball, lack of control, and sometimes a lack of central midfield support in the box, meant chances were frittered away. A very young Lewes side worked hard, contained well, but rarely created goalscoring chances.

After several tentative moves by both sides during the first 11 minutes Aswad Thomas broke down the left wing to send in a deep cross that was missed by the leaping Gez Sole, and the poorly-cleared ball was recovered by Craig Watkins on the spot to slip on to Moses Ademola, who engineered space and drove at goal, but the effort was parried by Lewes keeper Rikki Banks.

Five minutes later and Watkins had two good opportunities, the first set up by Sam Sloma, and sent sky high, and the second, a clever chip over the defence by Ademola, tapped wide of the post.

Lewes had a fierce shot by David Wheeler blocked on 20 minutes, and on 33 minutes the same player outpaced Aswad Thomas but fired into the side netting.

On 36 minutes Gez Sole, who had a quiet day, collected a pass on the edge of the box and drove hard and low but his effort was collected by the Lewes keeper.

Despite Woking being clearly and collectively the better side their inability to put pressure on the Lewes defence in sufficient numbers saw the Rooks grow in confidence. On 43 minutes a Lewes corner at the club room end, was brilliantly cleared by Tom Hutchinson with a low diving header that was sent towards the main stand and Harry Arter, on the centre line, swept a defence-splitting pass towards the edge of the box. Rikki Anane (what was he doing at centre forward?) pushed the ball two paces forward and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top of the net.

Half-time 1-0 to Woking.

Straight from the kick-off Woking won a corner and Tom Hutchinson’s far-post header was fielded well by Banks.

Five minutes on, and Moses Ademola, during one of several mazy runs into the box, released Watkins, who was quickly outnumbered. Two minutes later, following a free-kick, he took the wide route to the goal line to chip a teasing cross, which the stretching keeper palmed into Watkins’s path but he was unable to convert.

A minute later a Sole cross was nodded back on to the on-running Sam Sloma, having his best match in a Woking shirt, who headed inches over the bar. Sloma continued to be influential, popping up in attacking positions on the right, left and middle, providing half chances for Sole, Ademola and Watkins.

Lewes made two changes on 53 minutes to alter the pace of their game, and on 70 minutes Lewes’s Dan Royce provided a heart-stopping moment for Ross Worner, as he misjudged a deep cross, and had to hurriedly back peddle to scoop the ball away from the feet of a red-and-black-striped shirt.

On 72 minutes Graham Baker realised Woking needed more penetration and called to make changes. Failing to get the linesman’s attention he kicked a ball gently in his direction, and the referee, after consultation with the linesman, sent Baker to the stand. Delano Sam-Yorke and Charlie Moone came on to replace Sole and Watkins.

Five minutes later Aswad Thomas was lucky not to concede a penalty as he struggled to cope with Royce in the box.

Luke Medley replaced Sloma, who received generous applause as he made his exit, for the last four minutes and his determined play together with the direct running of Sam-Yorke put pressure on the Rooks defence. However, it was from a rare Lewes attack, in the last minutes of the game, and some unsettled defending by Woking, that a hurried clearance was eventually gathered by Moses Ademola, who ran straight at the central defenders, and as he was challenged trying to walk the ball into the net, the ball spun into the path of Charlie Moone, who swept the ball high into the net.

Full-time : 2-0 to Woking

Woking ran out worthy winners – much to the jubilation of the fans who lingered on after the game to cheer their team.

Woking: Ross Worner; Rikki Anane, Tony Sinclair, Tom Hutchinson, Aswad Thomas; Mark Ricketts; Moses Ademola, Harry Arter, Giuseppe Sole (Delano Sam-Yorke 72’), Sam Sloma (Luke Medley 86’); Craig Watkins (Charlie Moone 72’).

Subs not used: Daniel Sintim, Matt Pegler

Lewes: Rikki Banks, Ryan Timms, Anthony Barness, Andy Pearson, Fred Foreman (Pople 53’), Chris Breach, David Wheeler, Joe Keehan (Kirkwood 80’), Jack Walder (Williams 53’), Sam Crabb, Dan Royce

My WFC MOTM : Sam Sloma (pictured)
My LFC MOTM: David Wheeler
Lewes MOTM: Chris Breach




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