WOKING ACE JOE CLIMBS BACK UP LADDER

WHEN Joe Ward slammed home Woking’s late equaliser against Peterborough United in the FA Cup second round, never did he think he’d be signing for the League One club a month later.

The 22-year-old winger became Posh’s latest Non-League prodigy in midweek for an undisclosed fee, following in the footsteps of Stockport’s Danny Lloyd and 40-goal striker Ricky Miller, from Dover, who both signed last summer.

Ward marked his Cards debut with a goal against Gateshead on the opening day of the season and the former Brighton wide-man hasn’t looked back.

His performances against Peterborough raised the eyebrows of their lower league scouts and the club pounced to sign Ward on a two-and-ahalf-year deal.

“I hoped they might have been interested because I played well, particularly in the first game, but I can’t say I thought they were going to sign me,” he said, recalling his volley that sent the tie to a replay which Woking eventually lost 5-2.

“The move came about quickly. I heard they were interested then they put a bid in and I spoke with my agent and agreed that we wanted to make it happen. We knew it was a great opportunity and we didn’t want to miss it.”

This is Ward’s second move into the Football League after he was snapped up by Brighton in 2015, having impressed for Chelmsford City in National League South.

The tricky winger only featured for Brighton’s U23 side but was a part of Lincoln’s FA Cup run last season when on loan at the Imps and made appearances at Burnley and Arsenal.

Woking manager Anthony Limbrick entrusted his faith in Ward by handing him a two-year deal last summer with a view to him eventually moving back up the football pyramid. Seven goals and six months later, his target was achieved.

“Woking is a great club,” Ward added. “There’s a great squad there, it was a good team to play in and a tightly knit group. I made some great friendships there. We are all young lads so we want to do well and work for each other, and for the manager.”