Match Report | Dale's decider secures huge three points for Cards

Woking 1-0 AFC Fylde
Vanarama National League
12th April 2025

Woking hosted AFC Fylde at the Laithwaite with both sides at opposite ends of the relegation picture. The visitors started the day in 23rd position in the table, seven points off 20th placed Boston United, whilst the Cards were looking to reach the 50 point mark and take another step towards safety.

Following Tuesday night’s impressive win at Oldham, Neal Ardley made just two changes, with a straight swap between Inih Effiong, who captained the Cards and Sam Ashford, who made the bench. Tunji Akinola came in for Harry Beautyman, who was not in the squad.

Meanwhile, Fylde started with Nick Haughton supporting the two strikers, hoping to add to his 18 goals for the season as he has once again stood out for the Coasters.

An early chance for the visitors went begging after former Fylde defender Timi Odusina misjudged his header back to Jaaskelainen, but Danny Ormerod failed to dink the ball over the Finn. Good link up play from O’Brien and Effiong saw the latter’s shot saved by Ben Winterbottom as the opening fifteen minutes were productive from both sides.

The following twenty minutes were much less productive; apart from a tame effort from Ashley Boatswain at Jaaskelainen and an off the ball incident involving Jamie Andrews and Ethan Mitchell which saw the latter booked, nothing much happened. On the stroke of half time, a dangerous Haughton delivery was somehow not bundled in by Harry Davis at the far post.

Half-time: Woking 0-0 AFC Fylde

Intricate play from Andrews and Hinds saw the latter’s flick saved by Winterbottom as the Cards aimed to start the second half quickly, before a sweet half volley from Effiong flew narrowly over the crossbar.

Ardley turned to Josh Osude just after the hour mark as he looked for a spark, and nearly found it almost immediately when Andrews’ long throw was diverted into his path, but Winterbottom managed to save.

Woking had the opener after 76 minutes when Dale Gorman’s initial shot was blocked, before the ball came back to him and he fired in an unstoppable strike past Winterbottom.

The electric Osude put a fantastic low delivery into the box in stoppage time which just evaded Ashford as the clock wound down before full time, and a big three points for the Cards.

With Maidenhead now occupying 21st, a win at York Road on Good Friday would effectively secure safety.

Woking: Jaaskelainen, Kelly-Evans, Hinds, Odusina, Okoli, Akinola, Andrews, Gorman, Walker (Ashford 75’), Effiong, O’Brien (Osude 61’),

Subs: Webber, Chicksen, Anderson, Moss, Lawson

Goals: Gorman 76’

Bookings: Odusina 45+1’, Okoli 84

AFC Fylde : Winterbottom, Evans, Davis, Mitchell, Haughton, Bardell, Hugill (Massey 75’), Whelan, Boatswain, Ormerod (Ustabasi 59’), Riley (McFayden 84’)

Subs: Clark, Sassi, Obi, Long, McFayden, Massey

Bookings: Ormerod 26’, Mitchell 34’, Hugill 54’

Attendance: 1976

Sponsors’ Man of the Match: Chin Okoli was immense at the back, winning his headers with ease and providing a calm presence.