HERO OSEW PUTS CARDS BACK ON THE RIGHT PATH
WOKING won for the first time in seven matches in all competitions after defeating Dorking Wanderers in the Surrey derby at Meadowbank.
Tunji Akinloa headed the managerless Cards in front towards the end of a cagey first-half, James McShane providing a quick leveller with a close-range finish from the debuting Charlie Carter’s cut-back.
The contest looked to be fading out to a draw after a disjointed second half but Paul Osew’s clinical low finish late on secured victory.
Interim Cards boss Ian Dyer told The NLP: “It might be a line in the sand for us today with not only the result but the performance as well.
“The lads battled well and showed bags of character. We’ve had a really tough time of it lately, but with players returning from injury I was hopeful the win was around the corner. I’m really pleased for the lads today.”
Chances were at a premium in a rather scrappy first half, although Akinola missed the target when well positioned from a corner, while Bobby Joe-Taylor spurned a good opportunity for Wanderers at the other end with a strike over the bar.
The Cards threatened with a couple of dangerous crosses before breaking the deadlock on 35 minutes; Akinola guiding the ball home with a diving header after getting on the end of Josh Casey’s free-kick.
Just six minutes later though, Marc White’s men wehen back on terms. New signing Carter provided the assist on his Dorking debut by keeping the ball in play at the byline and cutting back for McShane to steer home from close range.
The equaliser didn’t stop boss White playing his hand early by bringing on Jimmy Muitt and Alfie Rutherford at half-time and Dorking responded.
The two subs both went close before Dan Gallagher forced Alexis Andre Jr into a brilliant tip over save on the hour as Wanderers began the second period the brighter.
But with play being broken up by injuries and stoppages, – even the assistant referee pulled up on the touchline – momentum was hard to find.
But like in the corresponding fixture last season, the Cards finished the stronger side and after Osew had already seen a deflected effort saved by keeper Harrison Male, he made no mistake on 85 minutes, racing into space on the right and finishing clinically into the bottom corner.
Osew went close again with successive efforts very late on, Male producing a top reaction stop amidst a scramble in front of goal.
White said: “It was a poor game, really broken up and fragmented, but I felt we could have done better with our changes today, even though it’s difficult with the number of injuries.
“Going more direct ultimately went against us today, and I was also disappointed with our reaction to going behind.”