Match Report | Cards round off regular season with textbook away performance

Solihull Moors 0-1 Woking
Vanarama National League
29th April 2023

Darren Sarll made four changes to the side defeated by Halifax in midweek, with Kyran Lofthouse, Luke Wilkinson, Kacper Lopata and Marcus Dackers in for James Daly, Scott Cuthbert, Joe McNerney, and Padraig Amond, with Amond and McNerney on the bench. Neal Ardley’s side included former Woking man Joey Jones, who started for the Moors in central defence.

This was a season finale for hosts Solihull, unable to build on their playoff final appearance from last season and being forced to settle for mid table mediocrity. Meanwhile, Woking looked to build some momentum with the playoffs fast approaching, hoping for an unlikely Maidstone win at Chesterfield to snatch third place.

Woking began the game with intent, as a Josh Casey corner was just headed wide by Dackers inside the first two minutes, and Casey’s delivery was continuing to trouble the hosts; another two corners were shoddily dealt with inside the first five minutes.

With the Cards continuing to dominate, their best chance yet came after nine minutes; Solomon Nwabuokei stole the ball in midfield, Dackers fed through Rhys Browne, and his shot across goal was well saved by the hand of Kieran Boucher.

After a period of pressure from the hosts, Lofthouse picked up the ball about 25 yards out, firing a speculative strike into the side netting, with him, Dackers and Browne looking lively in the opening half an hour. A slick Woking break saw Nwabuokei feed Browne, but his shot on the stretch went wide of Boucher’s goal.

Tom Whelan’s deflected shot crept just past Jaaskelainen’s near post as half time loomed, but after Nwabuokei fed Lofthouse, Boucher had to make a smart save to stop the winger’s dinked effort.

Half time followed shortly after, with a very open game seeing Woking play some nice football, but Solihull looked a threat through Josh Kelly on the counter attack, who had managed to get both Woking centre halves booked.

Half-time: Solihull Moors 0-0 Woking

Eight minutes into the second half, pressure from the Cards eventually saw them create a chance, when Lofthouse pulled the ball back to Dackers, but Junior Tiensia put in an excellent block.

However, with 55 minutes on the clock, Woking had a deserved opener. A piledriver from Jim Kellermann from outside the box crashed off the bar, but there was substitute Ricky Korboa, who took his time before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

With the hosts looking to respond, a scramble in the box saw the ball eventually break to Alex Gudger, but his tame effort was easily gathered by Jaaskelainen. Minutes later, Mark Beck had a chance at the near post, but couldn’t sort his feet out in time.

With stoppages for injuries and substitutions breaking up the flow of the game, Solihull were unable to put consistent pressure on the Cards, as Sarll's side looked to secure a rare clean sheet in the second half of the season, with the Woking manager vocal in midweek about how crucial it is to keep clean sheets at this stage of the season.

Callum Whelan spurned a half chance when he couldn’t keep his volley down, with Woking looking to manage the game as the clock ticked past 70 minutes. After a heart in mouth moment saw Beck's header cleared, the Cards should have wrapped up three points when Korboa was sent through on goal, but he was denied by the inside of the post.

It didn't matter though, as Woking saw out four minutes of injury time to secure a good away win, sending the 395 Cardinals home happy. It's unprecedented territory for the Cards on Wednesday, as they host 7th placed Bromley in the playoff eliminator, full of confidence after their trip to Solihull.



Woking: 22 Will Jaaskelainen, 2 Kyran Lofthouse, 3 Josh Casey, 6 Luke Wilkinson (5 McNerney 45’), 12 Dan Moss, 14 Rhys Browne (7 Korboa 45’), 16 Sol Nwabuokei, 17 Jim Kellermann (15 O’Connell 65’), 18 Kacper Lopata, 20 Marcus Dackers, 24 Rohan Ince

Unused subs: Craig Ross, Padraig Amond

Goals: Ricky Korboa 55’

Bookings: Lopata 18’, Wilkinson 20’, Casey 63’


Solihull Moors: Kieran Boucher, James Clarke, Alex Gudger, Jamey Osborne (Owen 64’), Josh Kelly (Stevens 80’, Justin Donawa, Tom Whelan (Ryley 76’), Callum Whelan, Joey Jones, Mark Beck, Junior Tiensia.

Unused subs: Brogan, Mills

Goals:

Bookings:

Referee: Aaron Bannister

Attendance: 3247 (395 Woking fans)

Man of the Match: Rohan Ince put in an excellent midfield display, winning the second balls and ultimately helping Woking secure an excellent win.