CARDS IN SAFE HANDS WITH SPOT KING ROSS
PENALTY hero Craig Ross is reaping the rewards from doing his homework – and says he will have every base covered again in trying to push Woking to Wembley. The Cards have reached the FA Trophy semi-finals for the first time in 15 years since they lost in the 2006 final against Grays Athletic at Upton Park. A one-legged tie at National League North side Hereford awaits following an immensely difficult run so far. Alan Dowson’s side have beaten Dover Athletic, Bromley and Sutton United both away before seeing off Torquay United last weekend in a thriller. Top goalkeeper Ross saved an Asa Hall penalty in the first-half against the Gulls before Jamar Loza’s strike sent them through not before the visitors had a 94th minute equaliser wrongly disallowed. Ross, 31, also saved two penalties in their shootout victory at Bromley and has once again been Woking’s most consistent performer having swept up all of the club’s endof-season awards last term. “I’ve been really happy with my performances and I’m glad I can produce big moments in games to win the team points,” Ross told following his fifth penalty save in open play of the season. “I think we deserved it on the day, Torquay had chances but we had plenty too. “Penalties are becoming more and more part of the game whereas a few years ago you might only get a couple. It’s something I do a lot of research on whoever we’re playing against and Matt Winter, the goalkeeping coach, gets all the clips of the opposition. With Asa Hall, he mixes them up, the two previously he went to the keeper’s right and I just had a feeling he favoured my left. It was one of those gut instinct decisions. “There’s no extra time so it increases that chance of it going to penalties. I’ll be doing my homework again and hoping to keep my penalty record going.” Ross played regularly in the Football League for Barnet during the 2017-18 season, but moves that summer to other EFL sides fell through and he found himself without a club for the start of the next campaign until Nikki Bull picked him up at Leatherhead. Dowson then quickly swooped to sign him at Woking and Ross has played nearly every minute as they won the National League play-offs, reached the FA Cup third round and finished in the top half last season. “It’s been a very successful period for the club,” said Ross, who reached the 2017 Trophy final with Macclesfield Town. “The gaffer has been great with me, he’s been successful wherever he’s been and successful people find a way whatever level they’re at. “If we can get to Wembley and win the FA Trophy that’s another big tick in his box as well and we’re all desperate to do that. “Hereford are going to be a tough test, them being in the league below doesn’t come into it in my eyes. They deserve to be here.”