Another frustrating evening for the Cards
Brian Caffarey
9:39pm, Tue 17th Nov 2009
Weymouth 0 Woking 0
17 November 2009
The following report is based on BBC Surrey’s radio commentary.
Woking travelled to financially-stricken Weymouth knowing that the Terras had been given a boost by their first away win at Bishop’s Stortford and by news during the day that the club had been saved from going into administration, at least temporarily.
It was, by the sound of it, another very frustrating evening for the Cards, with their league superiority not being reflected in their play. Once again, they seemed to have great difficulty in creating openings, apparently passing poorly and failing to register a goal for the fourth game in succession.
With Tom Hutchinson and Aswad Thomas on the injured list, Graham Baker lined up with Gez Sole and Moses Ademola up front. The midfield comprised Delano Sam-Yorke, Mark Ricketts, Harry Arter and Sam Sloma, while the back four were Ricky Anane, Tony Sinclair, Jon Boardman and Nicky Nicolau.
Woking had the best of the early play, winning a couple of corners, but did not manage to fashion any clear openings until Harry Arter’s testing shot on the quarter hour mark but the linesman’s flag had been raised anyway. Gez Sole then had a decent effort saved by keeper Ryan Harrison.
Woking continued to apply the pressure, with Ademola next on target. Play switched to the other end, with Jon Boardman conceding a free-kick (and getting booked). Simon Radcliffe’s resulting free-kick went close.
However, the Cards’ early dominance faded as they became increasingly frustrated at their inability to thread passes together and create openings, while Weymouth’s confidence grew and they began to have the better of the game, with the best effort coming from Groves.
As half-time approached the initiative returned to the Cards, with Moses Ademola spurning a good chance as he failed to find the target after some poor defending had presented him with an opening. Delano Sam-Yorke fashioned some fine approach work but blasted the ball way over the bar. Some great work from Mark Ricketts then drew a fine save from Ryan Harrison.
Half-time: Weymouth 0 Woking 0
Some five minutes into the second half, Gez Sole had a useful run through the middle, drawing another save from Harrison. But his opposite number Ross Worner, who had not had a save to make thus far, was soon called into action, having to head clear. Weymouth kept up the pressure with two free-kicks, but Ross Worner dealt comfortably with both but, later, pulled off a brilliant save from Groves.
Graham Baker changed things round, first bringing on Mitchell Bryant for Moses Ademola, and then Luke Medley and Charlie Moone for Delano Sam-Yorke and Gez Sole.
As the tempo increased, Harry Arter saw another effort go over the bar, and then Charlie Moone’s half chance was snuffed out following a quick break by Mark Ricketts.
With seven or eight minutes to go, Luke Medley hit the woodwork but the linesman’s flag had been raised for offside. Right at the death Josh Llewellyn missed a glorious chance for the Terras as Tony Sinclair made a tremendous save off the line. Sinclair then came to the rescue again with a saving tackle in the penalty area as the Terras put the Cards defence under great pressure.
Woking: 1. Ross Worner, 2. Ricky Anane, 3. Nicky Nicolau, 4. Mark Ricketts, 5. Jon Boardman, 6. Tony Sinclair, 7. Moses Ademola (16. Mitchell Bryant), 8. Harry Arter, 9. Delano Sam-Yorke (17. Luke Medley), 10. Giuseppe Sole (14. Charlie Moone), 11. Sam Sloma
Unused subs: 12. Daniel Sintim, 15. Jamie Hand
Booked: Jon Boardman
Attendance: 544