Woking leave it late to secure “Pride of Surrey” status for another year
The second round of the so proclaimed “Surry Derby” took place in the National League Premier last weekend as Woking claimed a vital late win over fellow strugglers Dorking Wanderers which lifts them above their cross-county counterparts and two points clear of the drop zone.
Marc White’s side had their game postponed away at Altrincham in midweek however progressed in the FA Trophy the previous Saturday after dispatching Maidenhead United 3–0 here at Meadowbank. The Wanderers return back to the Surrey FA HQ unbeaten in three games and make just the one change from their win on Saturday. Charlie Carter makes his debut in red and white after a season at Eastleigh last year, but also formerly spent time at todays opponents in their academy from 16 years of age. Alfie Rutherford makes a return to the bench after a long term injury as he continues his recovery to full fitness, alongside academy prospect Joel Brown who is included in back to back bench line ups for the first time in his career.
After 8 defeats in 10 Daren Sarll was dismissed in November from the Woking hot seat, and their search for a manager was still ongoing for the Cardinals. Player coach Scott Cuthbert has stepped up in the meanwhile and with a 94th minute winning goal condemning Woking to defeat in midweek against National League South side Weston-super-Mare, arguably a defeat would be screaming at this Woking side right in the eyes. Despite this, four changes came from the team that bowed out of the FA Trophy, including returns for TikTok star Alexis Andre Jr, Tunji Akinola and former Love Island contestant Dennon Lewis.
The early stages were worryingly troublesome for the Wanderers who struggled to bring the ball out of their own half. England C team goalkeeper Harrison Male had limited options to look towards when playing out from the back. Barry Fuller and Josh Taylor both full backs attempted to take these on the turn but the Woking press was high and forcing them into channels.
Woking known for their set piece prowess continued to pile on the pressure, several inswingers troubling the Dorking defence at the back post. The goal was coming for Woking who started easily the brighter of the two sides, and it came just ten minutes before the end of the second half as club captain Josh Casey whipped in a great ball towards the back post which went over everyone’s head which Akinola pounced on and glanced into the far right corner. A first goal for the centre-back since April of 2021 where he netted for a Partick Thistle side against Stranraer in the Scottish Challenge Cup.
Dorking then came immediately looking for a reply and it came just 5 minutes later after a short spell of chances. A ball over the top from Barry Fuller on the right hand side of the half way line who found debutant Charlie Carter who’s touch evaded his man to the by-line. He cut back for James McShane to tap home beyond Andre Jr. A 5th goal for him this campaign sent both sides into the break level with 45 minutes to both sides to bring themselves away from relegation worries.
The second half began once again with Woking dominance and they should’ve had a penalty just 5 minutes after the restart. A Kellerman shot struck the hand of a Dorking defender after it was charged down by the majority of the defensive line. Dorking came again however and a shot from midfielder Dan Gallagher accelerated through several bodies which Alexis Andre Jr. acrobatically got across to and matched, tipping it over the bar with his right hand and stopping it going into the corner.
Not wanting to take a draw back to East Surrey, Woking began to look a lot more direct in their approach and began going long from the back resulting in very high standard chances, Dennon Lewis building from this and looking to drive and cut inside to deliver crosses. Alfie Rutherford however capitalised on one of these long balls and drove into the edge of the box but couldn’t quite convert with a well placed but weak shot into Andre Jr’s hands. Jimmy Muitt also had a shot of his own, cutting inside from the right almost destined for a tap in from a following in Dorking player but it inched away and curled just short of the post.
Following an injury to the linesman Woking continued their direct approach and finally got their reward just seven minutes from time. A long ball from the right reached Padraig Amond who held the ball up and flicked it round the corner to Paul Osew who drove into the box and slid it underneath Male into the far corner and sent the Woking fans on the eastern side into absolute raptures. Flares and wild celebrations equalled the jubilation on the pitch as the players celebrated with the fans. They could’ve had a third and a second from Osew after a cross from Lewis fell to the goal scorers head again but he couldn’t quite get the right connection. A brilliant save from Male also denied Woking of a third after Osew found himself in a similar position on the right and cut it back for Akinola who took a touch and Male launched himself across the goal to just about keep it from going beyond the line.
Limited chances from Dorking towards the end prevented the Wanderers getting a much needed win however gifted Woking an early Christmas present and their first win since October in the National League. A huge result for the Cardinals sees them lifted up to 17th in the table and two points ahead of their opponents. Woking also remain unbeaten in 6 “Surrey Derbies” and look to push on towards the busy festive period, with Dorking having a lot to do by the end of January.
Attendance: 2617
Written by: WFCHenry
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