Woking v Trojans

Gutsy Woking beaten by Five.

After a run of encouraging performances over the last few weeks by Woking, the boys in blue were back at Goldsworth Park ready to face 2nd in the league Trojans.

The long season was beginning to show on Woking; long term absentees Tom Leggett and James Moss were still not quite ready for their first XI returns, whilst captain Tom McLean was still suffering with an ankle injury picked up in last week's defeat to West Hampstead. Vice captain Will Mainwaring was also missing, so the armband was placed on the sleeve of ever-present Andrew Barton to complete his fairytale rise through the club, 6years after joining in the fifth XI.

Kochar's men started well. Forwards Pollock, Pike and Furness were doing a sterling job of leading the press, whilst Cockerham, Van Haenisch and Kochar himself were quick to steal any free balls.

Hutchin was finding success with his penetrating balls down the right flank, with Rohde using his pace and quick hands to distrupt the left flank. Barton and Faulkner kept things tidy at the back with Ankers making some smart 1-on-1 stops.

Momentum was quickly undone however, when Trojans turned the ball over deep in Woking territory and, despite heavy pressure, scores from the edge of the D.

Woking countinued to press on, with van Haenisch stamping his authority on the midfield with his class, and Furness creating mischief with his pace and power.

Despite the good work Trojans found themselves 2 up at half time, but Kochar and his team were buoyant.

They continued to have sustained possession early in the second half, and the dominance began to tell with a couple of short corners; van Haenisch having a drag flick well saved and Hutchin firing just wide.

Trojans, however, were always dangerous when resorting to their well drilled, pacey counterattack and they found themselves a further 3 goals up. Despite this, centre pack partners Barton and Faulkner continued to create turnovers and began controlling the game. Good transferring created overloads, with Furness using his frightening speed and creative Cockerham skillfully moving forward.

In the end, it was another defeat for the Goldsworth Park outfit, but a further promising performance and progress made as they look to the future under Kochar's reign.

Man of the Match, Dick of the Day and stand-in captain Andrew Barton said, "it was a huge privilege to captain my club today, and a real personal dream fulfilled. We've put on another good showing, and I think with a bit more experience we'll begin cutting out the mistakes that are costing us at the moment"