CHIG’S JIG IS HATTERS’ HELL
CHIGOZIE UGWU’S brace at crucial moments in the match ensured Woking entered the second round hat for the first time since 2005.
Ugwu consigned a battling Stockport County side to defeat as Garry Hill’s men forgot all about their National League troubles for a day.
“On another day we could have been finished in the first ten minutes,” the Woking manager said. “Our goalkeeper Brandon Hall made two or three great saves at an important time, because if that second one goes in we would have really been chasing the game.
“They had over 4,000 fans here today, it is a tough order to come up here and get any kind of a result but we did – we need a good FA Cup run this year.”
The Hatters started like a house on fire, Jimmy Ball forcing a save from keeper Hall after four minutes and Max Cartwright had his low shot tipped round the corner shortly after.
It was no surprise when County took the lead. Danny Lloyd scrapped hard to win the ball in the penalty area and laid off to Ball who expertly curled the ball into the top corner from inside the D.
Their lead was shortlived as from Woking’s first corner of the match Joey Jones rose highest and nodded past Ben Hinchliffe.
Then just after the half hour the Cards took the lead. Dennon Lewis with a barnstorming run down the middle set up Ugwu who slipped the ball under the onrushing Hinchliffe.
It was a pulsating first half and Woking seemed to be going into the break a goal ahead.
Lloyd, though, had other ideas. He looked to have tripped Jones on the left wing, but referee Leigh Doughty waved play on and he provided the perfect cross for Ball who had the easiest of tap-ins.
County started the second half brightly but couldn’t break down a more organised Woking defence. Lloyd had the best chance when he broke the offside trap but pulled his shot wide of the right hand post.
Then Ugwu latched onto a long ball from the back and sidefooted in off the post. If there was a difference in quality between the sides Ugwu provided it, looking dangerous every time the ball was played up to him.
Despite plenty of endeavour, Jim Gannon’s Hatters could not find an equaliser.
The Cards seized their opportunity and with their fourth shot on target they scored their fourth goal. This time substitute Fabio Saraiva drilling the ball into Hinchliffe’s bottom corner.
County manager Gannon rued his side’s defending.
He said: “We played a certain system to give us a little bit of depth and cover at the back and it’s disappointing to see that three man defence exposed on not just one but several occasions that led to goals.”