Match Report | Cards edged out by runaway Spireites

Chesterfield 1-0 Woking
‘Vanarama National League’
‘23rd January 2024’

Woking returned to National League action after 17 days off with potentially their toughest game of the season. Chesterfield, runaway leaders at the top of the table and having won their last 15 games at home, would be a challenge for Michael Doyle’s men. Doyle made several changes to the side defeated at Solihull, with three of the four new signings; Dion Kelly-Evans, Lewis Walker and Charley Kendall all starting, with Luton loanee Jayden Luker on a strong bench alongside Dan Moss, Ricky Korboa, Rohan Ince and Rhys Browne.

There was also a first start since September for Jermaine Anderson following his return from injury, whilst this would be Woking’s first game without Padraig Amond, who has left the club to return to Ireland.

Woking kicked the game off towards the South Stand, but it was the hosts who dominated possession early on. Seven minutes in, dazzling footwork from Armando Dobra saw him advance to the edge of the box, and his low drive forced Alexis Andre Jr into action.

After 24 minutes of Spireite pressure, a perfect free kick delivery from Liam Mandeville was met by Will Grigg, who headed into the bottom corner.

The home side continued to dominate in possession, creating a chance from another well worked corner on 36 minutes. Jamie Grimes’ knock down was met by Dobra, who fired just over Andre Jr’s crossbar. Woking’s first attack of the game came on 37 minutes when a dazzling run from Kendall saw him turn Grimes inside out before his low cross was well cleared by Jeff King.

Half time came with Chesterfield commanding the game, playing nice football and creating chances, but at only 1-0 up, there was still hope for the Cards.


Half-time: Chesterfield 1-0 Woking


The Cards put together a good move on 52 minutes, when Kelly-Evans cut the ball back inside the box, and Dennon Lewis was just unable to put the ball either side of Harry Tyrer. Woking were seeing more of the ball, and good play down the left hand side between Josh Casey and Lewis saw the latter’s cross well cleared.

Another Woking chance saw excellent play from Lewis down the left almost rewarded, but Jim Kellermann just headed wide at the back post. Then came a big chance for the hosts to double their lead, but for a brilliant save from Andre Jr to deny Mandeville’s shot heading for the bottom corner on 72 minutes.

On 83 minutes, a cut back from Jeff King was met by Mandeville, who controlled inside the box but couldn’t quite convert into Andre Jr’s near post. Minutes later, another Lewis cross was met by the head of Scott Cuthbert, but was headed off the line by a defender in blue.

With just a minute left of normal time, a ball forwards was brilliantly touched down by substitute Ricky Korboa, who advanced towards goal before lifting his shot just wide of Tyrer’s goal, a big opportunity to steal a point.

It wasn’t to be, as a spirited second half performance went unrewarded. Woking will hope for a better result when they travel to Boundary Park to take on Oldham Athletic.


Woking: Alexis Andre Jr, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Lewis Walker (Korboa 85’), Dennon Lewis, Tunji Akinola, Jim Kellermann, Timi Odusina, Jermaine Anderson (Luker 67’), Dion Kelly-Evans, Charley Kendall (Browne 74’)

Unused subs: Moss, Korboa, Ince, Browne


Bookings: Odusina 23’, Andre Jr 89’

Chesterfield: Harry Tyrer, Jeff King, Tyrone Williams, Jamie Grimes, Branden Horton, Tom Naylor, Darren Oldaker, Liam Mandeville, Ollie Banks (Jacobs 80’), Armando Dobra (Berry 80’), Will Grigg (Quigley 86’)

Unused subs: Clements, Jones

Goals: Grigg 25’


Bookings: Dobra 31’

Referee: Dean Watson

Attendance: 6402

Man of the Match: Dion Kelly-Evans was tenacious from minute one, and a big part of Woking’s attacking play as well.