Match Report | Cards end winless streak at Pilgrims' expense

Woking Boston United
Vanarama National League
16th November 2024

Woking returned to home league action with the visit of 23rd placed Boston United. The Pilgrims were winless in ten, with the Cards winless in nine, so both sides were desperate to taste victory for the first time since September.

Michael Doyle’s response following defeat at Halifax was to roll the dice and make four changes, with Matt Ward replacing Dion Kelly-Evans after impressing at the Shay. Cian Harries returned in place of Timi Odusina, and Tom Leahy replaced Deon Moore, whilst Tunji Akinola came in for Harry Beautyman.

Interim player-manager Martin Woods named an unchanged team from the side that drew against Dagenham & Redbridge last time out, resisting the urge to include himself.
Boston kicked off this one towards the KRE, with Dale Gorman forcing Aidan Stone out of his goal inside the first 30 seconds, as his pass was successfully cleared by Stone before Leahy picked up a booking for his late attempt to win the ball.

Stone had to get involved again with 18 minutes gone when a poor backpass saw Jack Stretton in on goal, but he was unable to convert under pressure from the Boston ‘keeper. There was then controversy when Boston appeared to be in on goal but referee Alan Young pulled play back for a foul by Dan Moss, who hurt himself in the process and had to be replaced by Timi Odusina.

Woking had the opener after 38 minutes when Ward’s initial shot was deflected, but Jamie Andrews’ ball was met by Dyche and with Stone still recovering, the winger fired a sumptuous half volley into the top corner on his left foot to give the Cards lift off.

Great play from Leahy to keep the ball in after stealing it from a defender saw him drive a low cross into Stretton, but the ball was well cleared as Woking mounted a spell of pressure before the break. Andrews’ corner was somehow not turned in by Odusina or anyone on the line as the Pilgrims cleared away. Stretton was released in behind by a long ball, but the body of Stone denied him as he ran in on goal.

A couple of Woking blocks were needed to deny deliveries from Billy Chadwick and Zak Mills from reaching players inside the box, before an eventful end to the second half was concluded. A nothing half up until Ward’s goal, before Woking began to create some good chances, but were still reminded of the away side’s threat.

Half-time: Woking 1-0 Boston United

A rather barren twenty minutes after the second half saw numerous fouls break up play to the extent that neither side could really get going, with a brief spell of Boston pressure through numerous corners and set pieces proving fruitless. Leahy’s shot after 66 minutes flew wide of the far corner after a rare opening down the left hand side.

Chadwick’s free kick after substitute Sam Osborne was brought down just outside the box flew comfortably over the bar as the game entered its last twenty minutes of normal time.

A Boston free kick was only half cleared with four minutes to go and Zak Mills was able to pull the trigger, but his shot was blocked with a number of bodies in the way.

After navigating six minutes of added time and the referee blowing for full time twice, that was it. Three points for Woking in fairly comfortable fashion, despite the game not being the best for a neutral.

A return to winning ways in the league and a welcome confidence boost ahead of a tricky test at Barnet next weekend.





Woking: Jaaskelainen, Moss (Odusina 25’ (Kelly-Evans 64’)), Harries, Dyche, Chicksen, Ward, Andrews, Gorman, Akinola, Stretton (Walker 64’), Leahy (Beautyman 90’)

Subs: Webber, Judge, Moore

Goals: Ward 38’

Bookings: Leahy 1’, Dyche 14’, Moss 22’, Akinola 40’, Odusina 58’, Gorman 81’

Boston United: Stone, Green, Bostwick, Ward (Osborne 62’), Hazel (Mooney 85’), Rowe (Coates 78’), Richards, Chadwick (Marriott 85’), Maguire, Mills, Hill (Aderoju 78’)

Subs: Leak, Lovelace

Bookings: Hazel 56’, Green 73’, Richards 79’, Mooney 90+7’

Attendance: 2394

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Matt Ward produced a moment of magic and caused the Boston defence problems for much of the game.