CARDS LIMB-RIN’ UP FOR ROVERS

ANTHONY Limbrick marked his debut as Woking manager with a deserved win over sluggish Gateshead.

While a potential takeover at the Surrey-based club is still unclear, there was no uncertainty about what they showed on the pitch.

Inih Effiong, one of 12 new signings, put the Cards in front but Danny Johnson soon equalised before Joe Ward’s strike ahead of halftime proved to be match winning.

Thrilled boss Limbrick said: “To get off to a good start with some tough fixtures coming up and in front of the home fans is really pleasing. We’ve worked so hard over pre-season so there’s a little bit of relief, I guess, to have a good performance.

“The three points gives us confidence that we can go to Tranmere on Tuesday and have a real go at them.”

After James Montgomery saved well from Ward’s low effort, Effiong charged through the Heed defence and after his initial effort was saved, he stabbed in the rebound for the opener.

It was a deserved lead for the Cards and then typically, out of nothing, Gateshead levelled as Johnson’s volley deflected off Richard Orlu and wrong footed keeper Nathan Baxter.

But on the stroke of half-time Woking regained their advantage after Bobson Bawling found Ward unmarked at the back post, and he slotted home superbly first time.

Effiong could have wrapped things up late on for Woking and the Heed’s Jordan Preston gave the hosts a scare, first shooting over and then heading wide.

Gateshead boss Neil Aspin said: “We didn’t go down without a fight, we pushed until the end. It always comes down to what you do in both penalty areas and we’ve given away two bad goals and had some chances.

“We can’t concede ones like we did today, so we have to improve on that.”