Match Report | Cards share spoils with Fleet

Woking 1-1 Ebbsfleet United
Vanarama National League
19th September 2023
Woking welcomed Ebbsfleet United to Kingfield under the Tuesday night lights after Saturday’s successful outing at Hartlepool. Darren Sarll made two changes, both in central defence, as Luke Wilkinson dropped to the bench; Scott Cuthbert wasn’t included in the squad. New signing Timi Odusina made his first start alongside the returning Greg Taylor.

Inside the first minute, excellent play from the Cards saw Padraig Amond’s header cleared away, as Woking looked to set the tempo straight away. A couple of excellent crosses from Josh Casey saw more pressure from the Cards, epitomised by Dan Moss’s desire to win a free kick by pressing high up the pitch.

Ebbsfleet came into the game in the next ten minutes, but it was Woking who spurned a good chance in the 17th minute. A well worked corner saw Jermaine Anderson presented with a chance to shoot from inside the box, but he scuffed his effort.

An even better chance for the Cards saw a knock down from Zak Bradshaw giving Amond an opportunity to shoot, but he blazed over. Ebbsfleet then tested Will Jaaskelainen on 26 minutes when a header from was tipped over.

Ten minutes later, a Jim Kellermann cross was met well by Amond, who was denied brilliantly by Cousins, before a pile driver from Kellermann forced him into an even better save.

Woking were given a penalty on 41 minutes after superb work from Ricky Korboa saw him draw a challenge from McQueen. Jim Kellermann stepped up and smashed the ball home past Cousins’ right-hand side to give the Cards the lead.
Half time followed shortly after, with Woking fully deserving of their lead, and playing with the confidence of a side five unbeaten.

Half-time: Woking 1-0 Ebbsfleet United

Seven minutes into the second half, great work from Amond and Korboa saw the latter fire over, and just moments later, Fleet were caught napping, and Amond’s curler was tipped over brilliantly by Cousins. Bradshaw’s effort then looped across goal as Woking continued to press for the second goal.

However, Ebbsfleet threw a spanner in the works on 59 minutes, when Craig Tanner’s in swinging corner was turned in by Ouss Cisse. Yet another golden Woking chance was spurned on 65 minutes, as Bradshaw was found unmarked by Kellermann inside the box, but he fired wide.

After Cousins handled outside his own area, referee Aji Ajibola only gave a yellow card despite claims from Woking players that he should have been sent off, before another big chance saw Korboa fire over from inside the box.

In the 96th minute, Ebbsfleet had a massive chance to steal all three points against the run of play, but a huge double save from Jaaskelainen to deny Coulthirst meant the points were shared.

Disappointing for Woking, who on another day would have scored four or five, but it’s now six unbeaten.


Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Greg Taylor, Timi Odusina (Wilkinson 70’), Padraig Amond, Jermaine Anderson (Willmott 70’), Ricky Korboa, Tunji Akinola, Jim Kellermann (Robinson 81’), Zak Bradshaw.

Unused subs: Andre

Goals: Jim Kellermann 43’

Bookings: Odusina 38’, Wilkinson 83’

Ebbsfleet United: Mark Cousins, Josh Wright, Ouss Cisse, Darren McQueen (Sterling 86’), Dom Poleon (Coulthirst 45’), Franklin Domi, Billy Clifford (Tanner 58’), Chris Solly, Nathan Odokonyero, Ben Chapman, Hayden White

Unused subs: Sterling, Edser, Hollis

Goals: Cisse 59’

Bookings:

Referee: Aji Ajibola

Attendance: 2418

Man of the Match: Dan Moss