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Woking drew 2-2 against Eastleigh on a cold, wet Boxing day. Dean Morgan converted his own saved shot whist it was then Eastleigh’s Will Evans who scored to draw it level. Woking came back with Theo Lewis converting from 10 yards, but it Craig McAllister who finished the game off after Ross Worner palmed a saved shot right into his path, meaning both teams would go home with a point.
Going into the game Woking fans had only one thought process and that was – not to lose – But this was easier said than done, as it was going to be much more of a test then Eastleigh put up two weeks ago in the Fa Trophy (Where Woking won 2-0).
Giuseppe Sole, Chris Arthur and returning from injury James Clarke featured in the starting 11 after the injury to Mike Cestor last week. Scott Rendell was missing from the team but did warm up at the beginning of the match, suggesting that he might be fit for the big derby on Sunday. (VS Aldershot)
Woking kicked of the half and started brightly with early on target shots and with Sole and Mariott chasing it was inevitable that all off the action was in the Eastleigh half.
Eight minutes had passed on the clock and it was Marriott who charged down the ball, which fell into the path of the on running Dean Morgan, he had his first shot denied by a fine save, but at the second attempt it was a calm drag back with the ball, beating the goalkeeper with his quick thinking and slotted into an empty net.
Early on Morgan really impressed and showed the quality many fans have “doubted” he still had, but on the night, he was unplayable, taking on his man, beating his man and creating chances for Woking and really made the difference going forward.
However, Woking let Eastleigh back into the game after some missed timed challenges, Will Evans had a shot at goal and after a deflection it sailed over the top of Worner and into the back of the net.
Woking defensively were really strong and so too was captain Joe McNerney showing desire in every tackle. At the other end it was Theo Lewis who had all of the bragging rights after Mcnenery closed down the ball well into Sole who flicked through Arthur, he then layed a neatly on the floor cross to Lewis who tucked the ball into the far corner and capitalized on the slow pace from the Eastleigh defence.
Woking were on top at this point but it didn’t stop the Hampshire side from attacking, and that is exactly what they did! As Craig McAllister scored just before the half time break after Will Evans played a great ball through to James Constable who had his initial shot saved by Worner- who after the brilliant save- palmed the ball into the path of McAllister who tapped in from 2 yards out.
In the second half Woking didn’t stop attacking and it was captain Joe McNenery closest with a header just drifting wide of the post and Morgan with his trickery just hitting the ball inches away from the goal, Woking were firmly on top but Eastleigh did have their spells of good play.
With Eastleigh putting Gary Hills men under some real pressure for long periods in the second half, the defence and the midfield really done their duties and showed that they have clearly done some work on the training ground with Payne sitting very nicely in front of the back four, keeping former Aldershot player Craig Stanley at bay for the majority of the game.
Betsy and Goddard entered the field to try and work within the gaps, left wide open by the Eastleigh defence, but it was a mixed affair in the middle of the park for them to really get going and use the ball effectively, and so the referee blew his whistle at the end of a very entertaining game (Especially in the first half) which meant Eastleigh would continue their home record (Undefeated) and Woking would pick up their first point in 4 Vanarama Conference fixtures.
Woking go into Sunday’s big derby against Aldershot on the back of a good performance and will want to put on an even better one on in front of their home crowd against Aldershot. Kick off at 1pm at Kingfield on Sunday, Be there!
My MOTM: Joe McNerney- Showed true quality throughout the match and led the defence well
Woking XI: Worner, Jones, Clarke, McNerney©, Arthur, Payne, Murtagh, Lewis(Goddard), Sole, Marriott(Betsy), Morgan
Subs Not used: Newton, Cole and Nutter.
Goal Scored: Morgan (1), Lewis (1)
Booked: Lewis
Attendance: 1752