Match Report | Cards make Wrexham drop points at home for the first time

Wrexham 2-2 Woking
Vanarama National League
14th February 2023

Darren Sarll made two changes to the side that came from behind against Boreham Wood, with Kyran Lofthouse and Joe McNerney coming in for Jake Hessenthaler and Scott Cuthbert

The Cards looked to replicate their fast start against Chesterfield, and just six minutes in, they had done just that.

An excellent corner routine saw Casey’s ball flicked into the path of Padraig Amond at the back post, and his header found the net.

As expected from a side as ruthless at home as Wrexham, the Red Dragons aimed to make amends immediately, and when Ollie Palmer raced towards goal, a perfect challenge from Jim Kellermann bailed Woking out.

Dan Moss needed to be at hand to block Andy Cannon’s cross from reaching the path of Elliott Lee moments later, as Sarll’s men were putting bodies on the line early on.

A rare mishap from the home defence saw the ball find James Daly on the edge of the box, but he curled his effort narrowly wide.

Craig Ross was called into action after 36 minutes, when a great Wrexham move found Jacob Mendy. His shot was arrowing into the top corner, but Ross produced an outstanding save to tip the ball onto the post.

However, the hosts had their goal minutes later. The ever dangerous Paul Mullin was fouled on the edge of the box, and Anthony Forde’s free kick was inch perfect into the top corner.

Half time soon followed, and despite Woking taking an early lead, Wrexham had finished the half the stronger side, and it took a moment of magic for them to equalise.

Half-time: Wrexham 2-2 Woking

Wrexham had a penalty ten minutes into the second half, when Ollie Palmer was tripped. Paul Mullin dispatched the spot kick into the bottom left corner.

As the Cards looked to get themselves back into the game, a Casey free kick was controlled and finished by Joe McNerney, but the referee blew for a foul by a Woking player.

Rhys Browne then latched onto a long ball and drove towards goal, but could only find the side netting from a tight angle.

The Cards had a penalty with 72 minutes gone after Daly capitalised on a loose touch and went down. The ever-composed Rhys Browne slotted home into the bottom left corner to restore parity and send the travelling 232 Woking fans wild once again.

Wrexham pushed forward, with Elliot Lee’s deflected shot just creeping wide of the far post. This was as good as a point can come for Woking, as they frustrated their opponents and managed to grab a point. Next up is a long trip to Altrincham on Saturday.

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 2 Kyran Lofthouse, 3 Josh Casey, 5 Joe McNerney, 6 Luke Wilkinson, 8 James Daly, 10 Padraig Amond (19 Hessenthaler 89’), 12 Dan Moss, 14 Rhys Browne (20 Dackers 83’), 17 Jim Kellermann, 24 Rohan Ince (16 Nwabuokei 82’).

Unused subs: Will Jaaskelainen, Charlie O’Connell,

Goals: Padraig Amond 5’, Rhys Browne 72’

Bookings: Ince 61’

Wrexham AFC: Mark Howard, Anthony Forde, Ben Tozer, Eoghan O’Connell, Harry Lennon (Cleworth 72’), Jacob Mendy, Andy Cannon (Jones 72’), Elliot Lee, Luke Young, Ollie Palmer, Paul Mullin

Unused subs: Liam McAlinden, Rob Lainton, Sam Dalby

Goals: Forde 38’, Mullin 56’

Referee: Steven Copeland

Attendance: 10,030 (232 Woking fans)

Man of the Match: Jim Kellermann put in an outstanding shift in midfield, giving the Cards a platform to build on.