Woking’s season ends in Tamworth defeat

Tamworth 2 Woking 1
Blue Square Bet Premier
20th April 2013


Goals from Tom Marshall and Adam Cunnington were enough to make sure that Jayden Stockley’s opener wasn’t enough for Woking to relegate Tamworth to the sixth tier of English football on the final day of the season. Results elsewhere meant that Tamworth would have survived regardless of the result at The Lamb but Tamworth got the goals to put all worries beyond doubt.

Stockley (pictured) headed Woking into the lead mid-way through the first half but Marshall’s long-range curler and Cunnington’s penalty turned the game on its head to give Tamworth the three points.

The opening ten minutes of the game were about as scrappy as they come, as neither team were able to force a shot on goal. Tamworth’s attacking mentality was clear from the outset. They were looking to get the ball into the box at every opportunity, and that’s just what they did.

Woking were dealing with the physical presence of Cunnington and defending well in the opening stages. Kevin Betsy created some space for Billy Knott but his first and second shot were both blocked.

Woking took the lead in the twenty-first minute when Knott’s corner was flicked away from his own keeper by Michael Wylde, and Stockley leapt highest to head it into an empty net.

Tamworth’s game plan didn’t change much after the goal and they continued to pump the ball forward and pile men into the box at every opportunity.

This strategy brought the equaliser when another long ball forward dropped to Marshall on the edge of the box. He was allowed room to turn, picked out a curling right-footed effort into the bottom corner and out of Aaron Howe’s reach.

A long throw from specialist Duane Courtney created a chance for Tamworth to take the lead when it was flicked on towards Wylde. He flicked it again towards the top corner and an outstretched arm from Howe managed to tip it wide with a great save.

Half-time: Tamworth 1 Woking 1

Tamworth completed the turnaround twenty minutes into the second half. It stemmed from another long ball as Cunnington flicked it right towards Lee Hendrie, who knocked it past Mike Cestor and was bundled over for a soft penalty.

Tamworth’s top scorer Cunnington stepped up for the spot kick and made no mistake as be smashed it to the right of Howe, who guessed right but had no chance with the strike.

Tamworth made the final encounters of the game scrappy but Woking had chances to put the ball in the box. Betsy found space on both wings numerous times but was unable to create any clear-cut chances for Woking.

Woking had one last chance to steal a point when Mark Ricketts tried a quick free-kick. He put through substitute George Frith, who had a great chance to score but lacked composure and blasted it over the bar.

That was as good as it got for Woking in the second half and as the final whistle went to end Woking’s first season back in the Conference, the Cards can reflect on an excellent campaign and hope to push on next season.

Woking: Aaron Howe, Adam Newton, Mike Cestor, Mark Ricketts, Lee Sawyer (Brett Williams 45), Jack Parkinson, Billy Knott (George Frith 45), Kevin Betsy, Gavin McCallum, Jayden Stockley

Unused subs: Brett Johnson, Elvijs Putnins, John Nutter

Cautions: Mike Cester 90+3

Tamworth: Tony Breeden, Richard Tait, Marcus Kelly, Michael Wylde, Tom Marshall, Adam Cunnington (Tommy Wright 88), Lee Hendrie, Darren Byfield (Kyle Perry 82), Duane Courtney, Connor Gudger, Peter Till

Unused subs: Lloyd Kerry, Danny Lloyd, Liam Mitchell

Cautions: Adam Cunnington 61, Tony Breeden 80, Duane Courtney 89

Attendance: 1,509


MOTM: Jayden Stockley: Worked hard up front and deserved his goal.