EXETER CITY 1 WOKING 0

3pm on Saturday 10 February 2007
Nationwide Conference

Woking fell to 13th in the league following a 1-0 defeat at St James? Park. Exeter, who have been beaten only twice at home this season, move up into the last play off place, 10 points ahead of ourselves.

James Bittner was protected by a back four of Rob Gier at right back, central defenders Karl Murray and new signing Curtis Osano and Danny Bunce. Goma Lambu and Adam Green supported Neil Smith and Neil Barrett from out wide and Craig McAllister and Jamie Taylor lined up at the front.

Woking were first out of the blocks, with Adam Green winning a free kick which resulted in a couple of corners. However, the Grecians almost had a chance soon after when indecision between Danny and Bittner almost let Wayne Carlisle get a shot in.

The Cards first shot came in the 6th minute. Green?s pass was collected by Neil Barrett who hit a dipping shot just beyond Paul Jones? left hand post. Exeter then put Woking under some pressure, winning a couple of free kicks in and around the away sides? area. One of these free kicks resulted in former Aldershot player Jon Challinor heading towards goal, but Bittner tipped the ball over from close range. The following corner was headed out of the Woking area, Wayne Carlisle tried his luck from distance, but James claimed well under pressure.

Jon Challinor had a half chance to give Exeter the lead in the 24th minute. A deep cross evaded Danny at the far post, Challinor stretched, but failed to make contact. He did make contact 2 minutes later, but saw his deflected shot easily saved.

Woking hit the bar on the half hour. Craig McAllister kept the ball well on the edge of the box, and his deflected shot was met on the far side by Adam Green. Adam headed back across goal for Jamie Taylor in space. Jamie?s shot beat Paul Jones but hit the bar and went out for a goal kick.

Lee Phillips hit a wild shot over for the home side in the 35th minute as Exeter pressed looking for the lead before half time. Chris Todd almost got his head on to a corner and Steve Tully followed up Jon Challinor?s free kick but shot over.

Half Time: Exeter City 0-0 Woking

There was a clash early on in the second half inside the Woking area. Lee Phillips collided with James Bittner, with the former coming off worse and having to be stretchered off.

Wayne Carlisle?s fierce effort seared past Bittner?s left hand post in the 50th minute, but Exeter had the ball in the back of the net shortly afterwards. A long ball over the top of the Woking defence was met by substitute Jamie Mackie. Bittner made the decision to come out and clear it, but his clearance fell to Jon Challinor lurking in the middle. Challinor kept his nerve and smashed the ball into an empty net.

Challinor almost make it 2-0 a couple of minutes later. Another long ball fell to Elam on the wing. He passed inside to Challinor, but James Bittner did enough to distract him and he lifted his shot over the bar.

Jamie Taylor had a shot blocked from a cleared free kick, which he had won himself as Woking looked to pressure the Exeter defence for an equaliser. It was another shot from the striker which gave Barrett the opportunity to equalise in the 76th minute. Jamie?s instinctive shot from 20 yards surprised keeper Jones who could only parry. The loose ball fell to Neil Barrett, but he shot straight at the Exeter keeper who gratefully claimed the rebound.

Bittner saved a one on one from Jamie Mackie and Matthew Gill saw his effort sail over as the match drew to a close. There was still time for Woking to worry the home defence, with a succession of set plays in added on time. A Smudger long throw fell to substitute Ollie Berquez, but the latter shot wide from just inside the area.

Exeter held on for the victory, but Woking, with 8 first team players out through injury or suspension; drop a place in the table.

Woking: Bittner, Gier, Murray, Osano, Bunce (Marum), Lambu (Berquez), Barrett, Smith, Green, McAllister, Taylor

Subs not used: Gindre, Jackson, S. Cockerill

Att: 3363

Booked: Osano

My MOTM: Karl Murray