Woking B 4-3 Gloucester by Tony Pulis
A narrow pitch with a noticeable slope gave rise to a match that at times resembled an end to end basketball game with long balls aplenty. It was nonetheless an exciting affair with two determined and competitive sides both eager to win this opening Geoff Richards Trophy League match.
Gloucester dominated the early exchanges even though they were playing up the slope and it was no surprise that they were the first to score, Inyinbor winning the ball from a clearance by the keeper, holding off the defender and calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Woking were first to benefit from the long ball when a clearance from the keeper bounced over the visitors’ defence and Day neatly poked the ball past Cornwell to equalise. The home side then completely turned the score around - first when Ogben netted with a fine strike from outside the penalty box and almost immediately afterwards they doubled their advantage direct from a free kick, Day giving Cornwell no chance from 20 yards.
The visitors reduced the arrears early in the second half when Arrowsmith was upended in the area and the impressive Easterbrook grabbed the ball and fired in from the spot. Gloucester were now using the slope to their advantage and feeding Lock with a number of opportunities, but the home keeper was equal to each of them.
Woking restored their two goal advantage when Rajkoomar’s crisp shot nestled in the bottom corner before the city team responded, Taylor somehow managing to head Fieldhouse’s corner out from under the bar.
With Irvine sweeping up well at the back, the Yellows poured forward with captain Arrowsmith and Taylor providing most of the set up play. With just a few minutes left on the clock, Lock finally managed to lift the ball over the excellent keeper with a great strike from out on the right hand side, prompting a frantic and exciting end to the game with Woking eventually running out winners by four goals to three.
Gloucester dominated the early exchanges even though they were playing up the slope and it was no surprise that they were the first to score, Inyinbor winning the ball from a clearance by the keeper, holding off the defender and calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Woking were first to benefit from the long ball when a clearance from the keeper bounced over the visitors’ defence and Day neatly poked the ball past Cornwell to equalise. The home side then completely turned the score around - first when Ogben netted with a fine strike from outside the penalty box and almost immediately afterwards they doubled their advantage direct from a free kick, Day giving Cornwell no chance from 20 yards.
The visitors reduced the arrears early in the second half when Arrowsmith was upended in the area and the impressive Easterbrook grabbed the ball and fired in from the spot. Gloucester were now using the slope to their advantage and feeding Lock with a number of opportunities, but the home keeper was equal to each of them.
Woking restored their two goal advantage when Rajkoomar’s crisp shot nestled in the bottom corner before the city team responded, Taylor somehow managing to head Fieldhouse’s corner out from under the bar.
With Irvine sweeping up well at the back, the Yellows poured forward with captain Arrowsmith and Taylor providing most of the set up play. With just a few minutes left on the clock, Lock finally managed to lift the ball over the excellent keeper with a great strike from out on the right hand side, prompting a frantic and exciting end to the game with Woking eventually running out winners by four goals to three.
