Match Report | Cards blunted by buoyant Bees

Woking 0-1 Barnet
Vanarama National League
15th March 2025

Woking’s first home game in March came with the visit of runaway leaders Barnet to the Laithwaite.

Neal Ardley made one change from last week’s trip to Boston, with Jermaine Anderson making way for Dan Moss. The Bees lined up with one former Card in Rhys Browne, who of course netted last time these sides met at the Hive back in November.

Early pressure for the Cards at a sun-kissed Laithwaite saw a Jamie Andrews long throw only half cleared into the path of Dennon Lewis, but his volley was straight at Owen Evans.

Barnet enjoyed a spell of possession leading to a chance after eight minutes when a cross from the right hand side was flicked by Akinola into the path of Ryan Glover, but the former Aldershot man was unable to divert his header into the corner, Jaaskelainen collecting comfortably.

The visitors opened the scoring after 27 minutes when a long throw was knocked down into the path of Browne, who fired into the bottom corner to make it another goal against his former side.

Another big chance for Barnet came eight minutes after the opener. Browne’s shot was blocked into the path of Callum Stead, but a fine low save from Jaaskelainen down to his right denied the forward.

Half time arrived with Barnet looking comfortable at a goal up, meaning Woking would have to improve significantly in attacking areas to get anything from the game.

Half-time: Woking 0-1 Barnet

Woking’s first effort of the game came nine minutes into the second half, when a Jamie Andrews long throw was headed into the path of Chin Okoli, but unlike his powerful volley at Southend, this strike cleared the stand.

A mazy run from Stead saw him slalom his way into the box, with a crucial interception just denying him a chance to shoot after carrying the ball 30 to 40 yards.

With Woking looking blunt up front, Neal Ardley made three substitutions, with Junior Morias, Jacob Jones and Lewis Walker on for Gorman, Lewis and Chicksen.

A golden chance for Walker saw him evade the offside trap and chest down Beautyman’s dinked ball, but with the goal gaping he fired a tame shot into Owen Evans’ chest.

With the game entering the final ten minutes of normal time, Idris Kanu drove into the box and fired a shot which was well parried by Jaaskelainen. Another fantastic save from the Finn kept Woking in the game when he superbly pushed Ndlovu’s header from a Hartigan corner away from goal.

Barnet held on comfortably to inflict Woking’s first home defeat under Ardley, putting on a performance that showed why they should end up as champions.

Next up for the Cards, Wealdstone away on Saturday.

Woking: Jaaskelainen, Kelly-Evans, Moss, Okoli, Akinola, Chicksen (Jones 71’), Lewis (Morias 63’), Gorman (Walker 71’), Andrews, Beautyman, Effiong

Subs: Webber, Anderson, Ince, Vincent

Bookings: Gorman 20’


Barnet : Evans, Collinge, Browne (Grimwood 76’), Ndlovu (Telford 90+1’), Stead (Brunt 89’), Kanu, Glover, Hartigan, Clifford (Cropper 78’), Tavares, Kenlock

Subs: Bellagambi, Coker, Chapman

Goals: Browne 27’

Bookings: Hartigan 44’, Stead 45+4’, Evans 90+1’

Attendance: 3281

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Will Jaaskelainen kept the Cards in the game with a number of top class saves.