Blues Pick Up 'Woking &' Derby Bragging Rights

This morning was a local derby against Woking & Maybury. They may not have the squad that they had in their title winning season of 15/16, but they always seem to give us a stern test and have individuals who can hurt any team on their day.

Our double over them last season were both narrow wins and today was no different, but we got the job done.

After a quiet start to the game, during which the main interest was skipper Oli Cochrane's hairband breaking, W&M created the first opening after around 15 minutes, but Ryan Pardo-Roques was on hand to block the one on one chance.

Joey Stevens was denied by a strange, but nonethless effective save by their keeper, who turned a shot heading for the corner around the post with his foot.

Just after the half hour mark we opened the scoring. Danny Cox's sliderule pass got Joey in behind on the left hand side and his low cross found Zammo. His lay off was slightly behind Sam Lant, but he beat his man to it before smashing a fine low shot past the keeper from 15 yards out.

Had we made the correct decisions in the final 3rd we could have added to our lead, but the final pass was not on point. W&M continued to threaten with their attacking duo keeping our defence interested.

Early in the second half W&M equalised. While we can probably find fault with our role in it, we should also accept it was a slick move that cut us open.

6 minutes later we were back in front. Sam's long throw wasn't cleared properly and the ball fell to Danny Cox who did well to control a low volley into the bottom corner for his first goal since rejoining.

Tom Frost was desperately unlucky not to immediately make it 3-1, but the keeper pulled off a brilliant save to tip his shot bound for the top corner onto the bar.

W&M's last clear cut chance saw their midfielder in on goal, but Ryan did brilliantly to make the crucial save.

Elliott Jones saw a well struck effort from a corner saved as we looked for a 3rd goal.

Half chances at either end followed, but with 12 minutes remaining we killed the game off. Substitute Zak Whitelock's corner found fellow sub Jay Mal in acres of space in the area and he beat the keeper with a fine header into the roof of the net for his first WWFC goal.

Another good competitive game and a solid victory. We can play better, but whenever we play W&M it's about getting the 3 points however we can.

MoM: Ryan - in a game where both keepers stood out, Ryan's two 1 on 1 saves and overall display impressed. Coxy was our most influential outfield player.

Huge thanks to Ell & Baulds for running the line and to those who came to support.