Written by Declan McCarthy.
Two first half goals from Joe Quigley and John Goddard before a response from Aldershot substitute Rhys Browne, gave the Cards 3 points and a historical double over local rivals Aldershot.
On a day when many thought the weather would have got the better of the Laithwaite Community’s pitch, the surface did not disappoint and either did Woking.
Woking have been consistent over the last month, collecting 10 points from a possible 12, at the same time booking a tie in the next round of the FA trophy.
Gary Hill spoke to Radio Woking after the Cards drew against Boreham Wood on Monday, hinting the Aldershot manager Barry Smith was deluded to think Aldershot deserved anything from the “1st Leg” of the local tie last weekend, adding the spice to what was already a highly anticipated match.
Aldershot’s problems started in the summer, big name signing’s haven’t kicked off for Barry Smith, Barnes-Homer (Now at Kidderminster) and Richard Brodie, who is struggling with injury suggests why Aldershot have only scored 4 goals in their last nine games ahead of the match.
Gary Hill named an unchanged line-up as did rival manager Barry Smith, the most noticeable absentee from the Aldershot side was undoubtedly the experienced Brodie, yet to start for the Shots since the reverse fixture last week.
It was end to end football, Daniel Carr with an early overpowered shot, Joey Jones had a header cleared off the line before Jim Stevenson lashed over the bar. It took 25 minutes for the deadlock to be broken.
Goddard made the difference last week and certainly did again. Great work down the left hand side from the tricky winger, created space for Joe Quigley in the middle, the striker poised for the low cross and swept the ball pass keeper Smith.
Goddard celebrates his 13th of the season.
A pause in play saw Sam Hatton limp off, as Dan Walker made his way on. More worryingly for Aldershot was Quigley, as the striker found the net again, but this time he was rightfully ruled offside and the goal was disallowed.
After some neat work from Cheye Alexander, Charlie Walker should have drawn the Shots level as Cole made an acrobatic save to deny the 5’10 striker from 5 yards out. From the following corner, again, Walker came close as his looping shot struck the bar.
At the other end, Phil Smith had to pull off a grand save to deny Goddard’s free-kick. But Goddard didn’t have to wait long for that elusive goal. A long ball from Matt Robinson was headed on by Quigley, down to Goddard skipping past the Shots lacklustre defence and he slotted home his 13th goal of the season.
Gary Hill was forced to make one change at the break, Giuseppe Sole came on for the injured Dan Holman, who played his last game for Woking confirmed by Gary Hill after the game.
The spark in Aldershot’s game was on the bench. In the 50th minute, Rhys Browne made his way onto the field for Tom Richards, who struggled with the high flying Bruno Andrade on his heels throughout the match. This was a very positive move from manager Smith.
Luton loanee, Matt Robinson was extravagant throughout the entire 90 minutes, mostly unnoticed he really looked the part and connected well with the experienced, Mark Ricketts. Nonetheless, A cross from Andrade found Robinson who was certain to score but he scuffed his shot into the ground, if goal bound, it would have seen Woking take a slender 3-0 lead after 50 minutes.
It took Aldershot 56 minutes to get a stronghold in the game, Caprice nearly giving them the luck they needed when he nearly directed a clearance into his own net.
A looping ball from the right fell to Jim Stevenson and a powerful shot pushed away by Cole, gave substitute Browne a chance to score, and he did that so well. A fine strike from the rebound put Aldershot back into the match.
Gary Hill tried to fill the midfield by bringing on the experienced Keiran Murtagh, but Aldershot had different plans as Woking found it hard to keep the ball in the later stages of the match.
With minutes remaining, Charlie Walker had a contender for miss of the season, as the former Luton man struck the bar from 10 yards out, which really summed up the forward line for Aldershot this season.
The full-time whistle confirmed Woking had in fact created history over their rivals, Aldershot. It is the first time Woking have ever completed the derby double and this win puts the Cards ever closer to the play-off places.
Woking: Cole, Caprice, Ricketts, Saah, Andrade, Goddard, Robinson, Andrade (60’ Arthur), Quigley (78’ Murtagh), Holman(45’ Sole), Norman
Aldershot: Smith, Oastler, McGinty, Hatton (31’ D.Walker), Stevenson, Richards (50’ Browne), Walker, Alexander, Beckles, Gallagher, Carr.
Attendance: 3708 (808)
Referee: Dean Treleaven
Radio Woking’s MOTM: Matt Robinson – Looked the part in a big occasion for the club, didn’t let the build-up get to him and bossed the midfield alongside Ricketts.