Boz's Fruit & Veg

Cardinals see off the Bishops!

Alan Worth
6:56pm, Sat 16th Apr 2011
Woking 2 Bishops Stortford 0
Blue Square Bet South
16 April 2011



Woking completed a comfortable victory in this “must win game� over struggling Bishops Stortford to secure three points and a return to a play off place. Goals from Ademola and a first for James Walker were enough to see off the Bishops in a contest that the Cards generally dominated, particularly in the second half.

Garry Hill used Michael Doughty in midfield alongside Mark Ricketts and, as the game progressed, the young loan signing from QPR became ever more influential with Ademola and Dobson playing on the flanks. James Walker was paired up front with Elvis Hammond. Sam Bewick, the Cards’ second QPR loanee, made his first appearance on the bench.

In a first fifteen minutes that was characterised by long hopeful balls launched forward neither side appeared to settle quickly. Woking’s first chance came from a mazy run from Craig Dobson who cut in from the right across the box but eventually ran out of room and control as the visitors finally got the ball away.

Woking’s next opportunity came from the first of a number of well-taken free kicks from Doughty. His cross from the left was played back to McNerney whose flashing volley was just wide of the left hand post. Minutes later a second free kick, this time taken close to the bye line by Dobson, glance off the top of McNerney’s head and wide. And again, man of the match, McNerney (pictured) saw his goal-bound header from another Doughty free kick pushed away brilliantly by the visitor’s keeper Nicky Eyre.

Craig Dobson almost opened the scoring with yet another free kick. This time his curling effort from the left flank hit the top of Eyre’s cross bar and away for a goal kick.

On twenty-six minutes Woking finally took the lead after some excellent play by Dobson. Again he cut in from the right and saw his reverse pass put Moses Ademola through the Bishops Stortford defence. Ademola’s first touch was excellent as was his finish sliding the ball past Eyre and into the bottom corner of the net.

Woking had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down as Ademola chased down Ricketts dangerous through ball. The bouncing ball appeared to be handled by Habu but referee Mr
Knapp thought otherwise. Two minutes later the visitors had their own loud appeal for a penalty after a free kick from Bakare. Ming’s over enthusiastic demands for a spot kick only saw him become the first name in the book.

The Cards continued to create chances as they gradually took control. A quick break from Dobson saw him fail to pick out one of four Woking players free in the visitors’ box. Walker then played in Hammond but he was judged to be offside. Again some great interchanging play between Woking’s two forwards saw Hammond’s cross volleyed wildly wide by Ademola at the far post.

With five minutes remaining in the half Woking had a scare as a long ball deflected off the top of Doyle’s head but Gaisie was unable to make anything of the chance. At the other end Walker had a great chance to double the lead but he was leaning back as he fired Hammond’s excellent lay off over the bar, the KRE and out of the ground!

Half-time: Woking 1 Bishops Stortford 0

The Cards were in need of a second goal to capitalise on their dominance and to settle the nerves and it didn’t take long in coming once the second half was underway. After three minutes Dobson’s corner from the left was bundled away by the Bishops Stortford defence but only as far as Walker who smashed home his first goal for Woking from twelve yards.

Almost immediately after Thomas, who had dallied up field, found himself in possession outside the box. His powerful shot was scrambled round the post by a diving Eyre. There followed three Woking corners in quick succession but the Cards were unable to find the net for the third time and surely make the game safe.

And so it continued with Woking dominating, Craig Dobson leading the way with the step overs and the Bishops trying to benefit from the occasional break. On the hour the dangerous Ming almost made the Cards pay with a fierce shot from outside the box that fizzed just wide. Ten minutes later and after Hammond had worked a good chance but fired straight at Eyre, substitute Morris should have reduced the arrears as he headed over a Palmer cross with the goal gaping.

Ollie Palmer, now on for Walker, won an excellent header to put through Ademola but his cross across the box was behind Koranteng, on for Hammond, and unmarked in the six yard box. The visitors again provided Woking with a reminder that they were not yet safe as Morris again came close with a rasping shot just over Little’s crossbar.

Woking remained generally in charge as they comfortably saw out the game to secure the vital three points. With other results going the Cards’ way, next weekend’s game at Farnborough is ever more important and beautifully set up. Make sure you get down to the Rushmoor Stadium to add your support as Woking seek to secure a place in the play offs.

COME ON YOU CARDS!




Woking: Andy Little, Rikky Anane, Aswad Thomas, Mark Ricketts, Joe McNerney, Adam Doyle, Craig Dobson (Sam Bewick 87), Michael Doughty, Moses Ademola, Elvis Hammond (Nathan Koranteng 76), James Walker (Ollie Palmer 76)

Unused subs: Andy Burgess, James Pullen

Bishops Stortford: Eyre, Lette Jallow, Anderson, Bowditch (Prestedge 82), Habu, Dean, Hahn (Morris 53), Rance, Gaisie, Ming, Bakare (Palmer 56)

Unused subs: Mason, Dawson

MOTM: Joe McNerney

Attendance: 1281

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