DECLAN APPAU has targeted a regular place in the Woking starting line-up after scoring on his full debut in the Cards’ 3-2 home defeat to Guiseley on Saturday afternoon.
Appau, 18, who made his debut off the bench in August, put Woking ahead with a wonder strike in the 14th minute before Rowan Liburd scored either side of half-time to complete the turnaround.
Regan Charles-Cook equalised for the Cards before Mike Fondop scored the winner 16 minutes from time to inflict Woking’s third defeat in as many games as they slipped to eighth in the table.
Appau told Radio Woking Sport: “The plan is to cement my place in the side. I’m really grateful for the opportunity and that is the next step. It’s all about progression and just to keep learning and I’m happy that the coaching staff have put me in the team.”
Appau had previously made four appearances off the bench this season, and was lively in the opening exchanges, at the heart of possession in the Woking midfield, and was happy that the hard-work paid off.
“I’ve been working with the assistant manager Jason Goodcliffe on my shooting and my shots in and around the box. I thought as soon as I got on the edge of the box, I’ll let one go and luckily it went in.
“I found out just before the team-talk that I was starting, the manager pulled to one side, went through a few things and told me I was going to start.”
The Academy graduate started off his career at Arsenal before signing for Woking in 2014, and was bittersweet about his afternoon’s performance.
He added: “The loss was frustrating, on the other hand it was good to score but I would have loved the win instead. We were unlucky to concede one of the goals but we are frustrated in a game we were looking to win.”
Woking have now suffered back-to-back defeats at Bromley, Dover and now Guiseley, and face League One strugglers Bury in the FA Cup First Round next Sunday and Appau is confident his side can get back to winning ways.
“We are good at bouncing back and we have a good team morale so any game that comes up we will be ready. I’m looking forward to playing Bury in front of a big crowd so whatever the manager decides to do I’ll be ready.”