YORK CITY 2 WOKING 3

York City 2 Woking 3
12 April 2008

On the 50th anniversary of the Cards? FA Amateur Cup Final victory over Ilford at Wembley the Cards travelled up to York for their first game under the temporary management team of Colin Lippiatt and Justin Edinburgh. And what an extraordinary game it turned out to be, with the Minstermen ending the game with only eight men on the pitch and the Cards benefiting from two penalties after gifting the hosts both of their goals.

Colin selected a back four of Matt Gray, Paul Lorraine, Tom Hutchinson and Damian Batt; a midfield of Goma Lambu, Matt Pattison, Bradley Quamina and Giuseppe Sole; and a front two of Marvin Morgan and Jason Norville.

The first half was a very low-key, pedestrian affair, giving no hint of what was to follow apart from a confrontation at the midway point between Stuart Elliott, who had already perpetrated two unpleasant fouls, and Marvin Morgan, which could have seen both sent off. The only other points of note were the goal apiece for each team. York?s, in the third minute, was courtesy of a horrible misunderstanding between Tom Hutchinson and Ross Worner. Ross came to collect a high ball, apparently calling to Tom to leave it, though whether he would have reached it must be in doubt. Instead, Tom glanced a header back through Ross?s finger tips, allowing Onome Sodje to run on and fire into an empty net. Woking?s goal came right at the end of the half. Marvin Morgan won a corner. Paul Lorraine headed on towards the back post, where Marvin directed it back to the far corner of the goal, with Jason Norville nicely placed to nod home.

Half-time: York City 1 Woking 1

Colin brought on Liam Marum for Jason Norville at the interval and it was Liam?s pace and running off the ball which seemed to turn the game in the Cards? favour, aided by some surges from Matt Pattison and some effective wing play from Goma Lambu. Damian Batt, though, nearly gave another goal away with a dreadful pass across the Cards? area. Fortunately, Brodie hesitated and was dispossessed by Matt Gray.

Liam then sent Matt away down the right. His cross-cum-shot was tipped over the bar. Another good Woking move, which ended in a fine cross from Goma Lambu, drew a quick breakaway from York, resulting in a free-kick on the edge of the Woking area. Fortunately, it was blasted high and wide. A mis-kick by a York defender presented Liam Marum with his first goal attempt, which was beaten out by the keeper. Liam then tried to play in Marvin but the pass was intercepted.

Bradley Quamina, who had something of a nightmare afternoon with his passing, then started the chain of events which led to York?s second goal in the 57th minute. From his misplaced pass at the back, the ball was quickly moved out to the right of the area. Ross did superbly to block the first attempt and seemed to have safely gathered the header back to him when the ball slipped from his grasp, presenting Sodje with his second gift of the afternoon.

The Cards bounced back quickly and were level seven minutes later. Liam?s excellent flick round the full back sent him clear on the Woking right. As he advanced into the area he slipped the ball inside to Marvin Morgan. Morgan seemed to dither but was then tripped by Craddock. Craddock was given his marching orders and Gez converted the penalty via the post. 2-2 and York down to ten men.

Woking attacked again. Marvin flicked the ball on to Liam, who blasted it against the keeper once more. Shortly afterwards, it was Liam flicking the ball on for Marvin to burst through the York back line. Both he and the keeper collided as they went for the high ball. The ball ricocheted off Marvin to Goma, whose shot was blocked on the line. But the referee, to the fury of the York players and fans, then pointed to the spot, having adjudged that the keeper had fouled Marvin. The keeper, somewhat harshly, it seemed, was sent off and Gez thrashed the ball past his deputy. 3-2 to the Cards and York down to nine men, with twenty minutes to go!

But it didn?t end there! York almost converted from a corner before Gez Sole was tripped on the edge of the York box. Matt Gray?s free-kick cannoned off the Minstermen?s wall.

Gez and Martyn Woolford then clashed. Woolford fouled Gez from behind. Gez confronted him but, perhaps crucially, did not raise his hands. Elliott rushed in and grabbed Gez. Gez was perhaps lucky to escape with a yellow but Elliott, who was fortunate to be on the pitch at this stage anyway, had to walk to the dug-out as he picked up his second card of the afternoon. York now down to eight men!

The Cards made heavy weather of the closing stages. Indeed, York came close to pulling back what would have been a very embarrassing equaliser, whilst Liam Marum, Damian Batt and Marvin Morgan all wasted good chances to put the game beyond the Minstermen?s reach.

When the whistle finally went after four minutes of injury time the brave referee was left in no doubt about the feelings of the home fans!

It?s hard to draw much in the way of conclusions from such a bizarre game. The Cards, though, certainly contested the second half strongly, but, although there was evidence of more attempts to pass the ball around, some of the execution was poor. Marvin Morgan, barracked by a small section of Woking fans for his reported outburst, played a decisive part in all three Woking goals and could not be faulted for his effort.

Woking: Ross Worner; Matt Gray, Paul Lorraine, Tom Hutchinson, Damian Batt; Goma Lambu (Jay Gasson, 79), Matt Pattison, Bradley Quamina, Giuseppe Sole; Jason Norville (Liam Marum, 46), Marvin Morgan

Unused subs: Nick Gindre,Matt Ruby, Jerome Maledon

Booked: Paul Lorraine, Marvin Morgan, Giuseppe Sole

Attendance: 2246

My MOTM: Liam Marum (pictured) ? made the difference, I think.