Match Report | Cards get big home three points at expense of Hoops
William Bewsey
9:42pm, Tue 6th Feb 2024
Woking 2-0 Oxford City
‘Vanarama National League’
‘6th February 2024’
Woking hosted Oxford City under the lights in a crucial relegation six-pointer. Michael Doyle made two changes to the side beaten by Boreham Wood on Saturday, with Curtis Edwards starting his first game for the club, replacing Jermaine Anderson, who dropped to the bench. Ricky Korboa also started in place of Charley Kendall, also on the bench, alongside Josh Smith; the former Sheffield United man making his first appearance in the squad since joining last week.
The Hoops kicked off towards the KRE, and after good work from Korboa in drawing a foul on the edge of the box just eight minutes in, Jayden Luker’s delivery was met by a man in red and white, who drew a superb low save from Brzozowski down to his left.
Three minutes later, excellent link up from Luker and Dennon Lewis saw the latter’s cross well met inside the box by Lewis Walker, but his looping header was again well clawed away from goal by the Oxford stopper. Another set piece, this time from Edwards on 24 minutes saw Akinola come close, his header just evading the far post.
After a period of nothingness, Woking took the lead in style on 38 minutes. Brilliant play from Luker saw him feed Korboa down the right, before Luker received the ball just inside the box, turning and finishing into the roof of the net.
On the stroke of half time, another outstanding Luker delivery got a faint touch from a Woking head, hitting the base of the post, before another delivery from the Luton loanee was met by the head of Walker, who forced another good save from Brzozowski.
Half time arrived with the Cards completely dominant, and Brzozowski forced into several good saves to keep the score at just 1-0.
Half-time: Woking 1-0 Oxford City
After an even start to the second half, Luker and Korboa once again combined to good effect in the 56th minute, with the latter’s effort drilled just across goal.
It was the winger who drew a big chance for Woking to double their lead, twisting and turning before being tripped by Andre Burley. Walker stepped up to send Brzozowski the wrong way, finding the bottom left corner and register his first goal since rejoining the Cards.
Oxford’s first shot of the game came after 73 minutes, when a good through ball saw Renny Smith test Alexis Andre Jr at his near post, but it was fairly comfortable for the Frenchman. But in truth, there was no threat from the away side, and Woking saw the game out comfortably.
A big three points, especially considering their home form, and a dominant performance ahead of the visit of the TNT cameras when Hartlepool United come to town on Saturday.
Woking: Alexis Andre Jr, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Lewis Walker, Dennon Lewis (Anderson 74’), Tunji Akinola, Curtis Edwards (Oyeleke 83’), Ricky Korboa (Smith 65’), Dion Kelly-Evans, Jayden Luker, Max Dyche
Unused subs: Moss, Kendall
Goals: Luker 38’, Walker 60’#
Bookings: Smith 94'
Oxford City Marcin Brzozowski, Andre Burley, Josh Ashby, Nya Kirby, Jacob Roddy, Reece Fleet, Mitchell Roberts, Josh Parker (Greenslade 72’), Alfie Potter (Smith 53’), Canice Carroll (Phillips 45’), Harry Birtwistle
Unused subs: Coyle, Williams-Bushell
Bookings: Carroll 40’, Ashby 58’, Phillips 58’, Burley 66’
Attendance: 1970
Man of the Match: Curtis Edwards