Match Report | Cards pick up big three points at expense of Moors

Woking 1–0 Solihull Moors
Vanarama National League
19th February 2025

Just 5 places and 7 points separated Neal Ardley’s Woking and Matt Taylor’s Solihull Moors ahead of the midweek fixture. The Cardinals came into the midweek fixture on the back of a late 1-1 draw with Tamworth. The Moors travelled to the Laithwaite following a 3-1 defeat to table toppers Barnet in which Fletcher Holman scored his first goal for the club.

Neil Ardley made 4 changes to the side that drew with Tamworth at the weekend with Mazionis, Odusina, Beautyman and Walker making way for Okoli, Akinola, Morias and Effiong. Matt Taylor made 3 changes to the side that fell to defeat at Barnet with Newton, Morrison and Bostock being replaced by Tunnicliffe, Stevenson and Sutherland.

On a chilly night under the Laithwaite lights it was Woking who got the game underway. After a few minutes, Morias picked up the ball midway into the Solihull half, drove past two players and fired a shot from the edge of the box which was well saved by Wright. Shortly after, Stevenson smashed the Woking crossbar with a fierce volley from the edge of the Cards box after pouncing on the bouncing ball.

It was Solihull who settled into possession with Marcel Oakley keeping Okoli and Akinola busy with the flurry of crosses going into the box.

After a short period of sustained Woking possession, Gorman won the ball and played it nicely to Vincent on the far side whose curled cross was met by a leaping Matt Ward who powered the ball back across the goalkeeper into the top left corner, giving the hosts the lead in the 18th minute.

At the midway point of the first half, Ward cleverly intercepted the ball at the halfway line and darted up the near side, delivering a low cross to the feet of Inih Effiong who miskicked the ball after a slight deflection from Whitmore.

Ward once again dazzled across the edge of the Moors box and managed to keep his balance to tee up Frank Vincent who’s low driven shot was straight down the throat of Wright.

With the halftime whistle approaching the Cards almost doubled their advantage when a well worked one-two between Chicksen and Vincent saw the latter whip a low cross into the box which took a nick off a Moors defender and went agonisingly wide.

At the break, it was Matt Ward's deft header that separated the two sides, with the Cards looking to grab a 2nd to take control of the game.

Half-time: Woking 1-0 Solihull Moors

The Moors made their first change of the game with Kian Ryley replacing Ethan Sutherland as the game got back underway. The second half settled down into an even rhythm with both teams probing for a breakthrough.

A misqueued header from Tunnicliffe saw the ball fall to the feet of Inih Effiong who charged into the box and attempted to feed the ball to an arriving Frank Vincent, the cross was blocked back against Effiong and was collected by Wright.

With just under 25 minutes remaining, Bostock whipped a Solihull free kick into the Woking box with the resulting shot being blocked by Akinola, the Cards then broke forward with Inih Effiong being fed up the near side, the striker cut inside and powered a shot towards the near corner but Wright produced a great save to deny the Cards a second.

A brilliant one touch move by Woking up the near side resulted in Inih Effiong attempting to curl an effort into the far corner with his effort flying just wide.

After another wonderful run from Matt Ward through the heart of the Moors midfield, Solihull substitute Whyte-Hall flew into a high challenge on the Woking star. The resulting free kick was crossed well by Gorman and met by Lewis Walker who steered his effort just wide of the near post.

With five minutes remaining, a recycled Woking corner saw Jamie Andrews nutmeg the Moors defender on the near side and float a delightful cross towards the back post which was met by substitute Lewis Walker who thundered a volley into the ground and just wide of the post.

With mere minutes to go, Whyte-Hall held the ball up dangerously in the Woking box and the ball was worked to the edge of the box to Bostock who dragged his shot wide. After a tense seven additional minutes the referee blew her whistle securing three valuable points for the Cards.

Neal Ardley’s Cardinals take some much needed momentum into a clash against title contenders Forest Green Rovers in south Gloucestershire this Saturday.


Woking: Jaaskelainen, Hinds, Okoli, Akinola, Chicksen, Andrews, Gorman, Vincent (Lewis 81’), Ward (Odusina 86’), Morias (Walker 70’), Effiong (Beautyman 70’)

Subs: Webber, Jones, Kelly-Evans

Goals: Ward 18’


Solihull Moors: Wright, Clarke, Whitmore, Bowen (Bostock 61’), Oakley, Stevenson (Whyte-Hall 74’), Tipton, Tunnicliffe, Holman (Bruck 91’), Wells-Morrison, Sutherland (Ryley 45’)

Subs: Flahavan, Newton, Morrison

Bookings: Whyte-Hall 79’

Attendance: 1526 (68 away)

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Matt Ward - brilliant performance from the young star who dictated many of the Cards attacking moves.