Match Report | Korboa inspired Cards put on perfect away performance

Hartlepool United 0-2 Woking
Vanarama National League
16th September 2023

On a blustery and cold autumn day, Darren Sarll took his side up to the north east to face Hartlepool United. New signings Alexis Andre Jr and Timi Odusina took places on the bench, as Woking made one change from the side that drew to Solihull Moors; Jermaine Anderson made his first start of the season in place of Manny Oyeleke.

Woking kicked off towards the Brunel Group Stand, and nearly took the lead on 16 minutes after a dominant opening period, when a long free kick was almost nodded into the bottom corner by a completely unmarked Padraig Amond.

Around the half hour mark, the home side began to show what they were capable of, with a few crossing opportunities for Oliver Finney and David Ferguson down the right-hand side trying to bring Pools’ top scorer Mani Dieseruvwe into the game. Just minutes later, the striker raced in on goal, before hitting the post, but from the rebound, Joe Grey somehow fired over the bar with a practically open goal, to the disbelief of everyone in the Seat Direct Stadium.

With Hartlepool tails up, another dangerous cross was well diverted wide by Scott Cuthbert on 37 minutes, before another dangerous cross from Ferguson’s free kick saw the ball evade everyone and bounce off the outside of the post.

Half time came at a welcome time for the Cards, after surviving somewhat of a bombardment in the last 15 minutes.

Half-time: Hartlepool United 0-0 Woking

Just two minutes into the second half, Woking took the lead. Good play from Jim Kellermann and Amond saw the ball land at Ricky Korboa’s feet, and he somewhat delayed his finish, but a wicked deflection gave Pete Jameson no chance.

And just three minutes later, great work from Amond found Korboa again. This time the finish was beautifully controlled into the corner from his left foot, wrong footing Jameson and sending the 120 travelling Cards barmy.

Pools aimed to respond, throwing on Josh Umerah to replace Grey, and Jaaskelainen was tested on 64 minutes by Charlie Seaman, but ended up holding onto the ball.

On 75 minutes, Dieseruvwe looked to be through on goal, but expert defending from Luke Wilkinson saw him intercept at the perfect time. Then somehow, Dieseruvwe flicked the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box after a great knock down from Tom Crawford, as it looked to not be his or Pools' day.

Six minutes of injury time passed by uneventfully, and Woking had the three points. A perfect away performance from Sarll's men, with Korboa ultimately the difference, but an excellent display all round extends Woking's unbeaten run to five ahead of Ebbsfleet on Tuesday night.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Luke Wilkinson, Padraig Amond, Jermaine Anderson (Willmott 68’), Ricky Korboa (Taylor 80’), Tunji Akinola, Jim Kellermann (Robinson 89’), Zak Bradshaw.

Unused subs: Andre, Odusina

Goals: Korboa 47’, 50’

Bookings: Moss 66’

Hartlepool: Pete Jameson, Luke Hendrie, Manny Onaraise, Alex Lacey (Patterson 20’), David Ferguson, Charlie Seaman, Kieran Wallace, Tom Crawford, Oliver Finney (Aghatise 89’), Joe Grey (Umerah 57’), Mani Dieseruvwe

Unused subs: Dixon, Wreh

Bookings: Crawford 10’

Referee: Michael Barlow

Man of the Match: Ricky Korboa put in a superb display, taking his chances when they came and linking up brilliantly with Amond twice.