Woking 0-1 U's: Murder in the Dark
Monday 30th March 2009 - Woking 0-1 U's: Murder in the Dark
"Exit light! Enter night! Take my hand! We're off to Never Never Land!"
It is a fair bet that James Hetfield did not have a power cut-stricken Kingfield in mind when he penned the iconic lyrics to "Enter Sandman" back in early Nineties. But Metallica's doomy, gloomy anthem to the Land of Nod would have made for a perfect soundtrack to a crepuscular Woking ground at 7.45pm on Monday night as the players warmed up halfheartedly in the gathering darkness and dozens of United supporters remained locked outside, while officials and TV operatives waited for news about the power outage which had paralysed a live television offering for the second Monday in a row.
Setanta filled desperately as even Paul Parker ran out of cliches to spout and they collared the stadium manager, a homely-looking chap in a baggily comfortable tracksuit and sweatshirt that, like the ground, had seen better days. Out of my hands, mate, was his message, entirely at the tender mercy of the local electric company. Then - live on TV! - his mobile phone rang. Could this be the news, gasped the interviewer breathlessly? Er, no, personal text. Probably a member of his family getting in touch to say 'I can see you on the telly!'
The ref confided that if they weren't ready by half eight, the whole thing was off. Then hope, as the floodlights sputtered into life. Relief flooded around the ground and TV studio, only to be partially doused when we were advised that these were only the safety lights, of nowhere near the illuminatory power of full floodlights. They still looked brighter than Histon's. But as panic continued to rise and full power remained absent, the man in black finally agreed (doubtless under no pressure at all) that the game should go ahead with conditions as they were, however murky. With no power for the PA, the decision was announced by a chap with a megaphone. Respect to the old school.
The cameras switched to the Woking dressing room, still clearly in darkness apart from the illumination of the TV lights, where boss Phil Gilchrist talked into the gloom and hoped that the players were there to hear him. Then they were out into the relative brightness and at last, shortly after 8.15, everyone was ready to go. The football match ahead would be hard placed to match the drama and tension of the previous forty-five minutes.
Woking are one of the Conference's stalwarts, ever-present since promotion from the Isthmian League in 1992. Their golden age was the mid-1990s when under club legend Geoff Chapple they managed two second places and two thirds, but it has been quite some time now since they were title contenders and this season has been little short of a disaster, their decision to appoint ex-Charlton striker Kim Grant swiftly corrected when they failed to win any of their first seven games. It would probably be fair to say they have been trying to recover ever since under Grant's former assistant Phil Gilchrist but, with turmoil off the pitch, it has been a long, hard slog and they currently sit third bottom.
The Cards' present squad includes many players with Abbey connections, but of those, Micah Hyde, Danny Bunce and Abdou El Kholti had joined former United target and Newmarket Town winger Alex Rhodes on the injury list, so only front man Liam Marum of their ex-U contingent made the starting line-up.
United were just happy to be playing again after a two-week break following the win at Barrow (and its nice comfy park bench) had extended their unbeaten run to eleven matches. In the intervening period, many clubs behind the U's had blown their games in hand to leave Histon as the only side able to catch them, although Burton had pulled away again to eleven points ahead thanks to easy wins over two of the BSP's most feeble sides, Weymouth and Grays. A win was now vital to keep the pressure on. The side remained unchanged save for the absence through injury of Dan Gleeson, Jon Challinor depping, while Bradford loanee Simon Ainge made a first appearance on the bench which again eschewed the option of a reserve goalkeeper.
It is perhaps hard to believe that a team can be 'rusty' in March after thirteen days without a game, but that was the distinct impression that United gave early on as they started slowly and allowed a spirited Woking side to dictate the early pace and pattern of the game. They were more than a little reminiscent of Barrow in their unsophisticated hoof-the-ball-down-the-pitch-and-charge-after-it way, and Challinor came under some early pressure from the tricky Matty Pattison.
On 2 the diminutive Goma Lambu set up Pattison to poke wide, and a couple of minutes later Challinor was caught out of position as a ball over the top sent Marum clear, but Phil Bolland was covering and after he cut inside, his powerful shot was fairly comfortably held by Danny Potter.
United's first significant forward foray on 5 produced a very decent chance, Robbie Willmott's deep cross finding the head of Scott Rendell sneaking ahead of his marker Paul Lorraine, but his nod fell well wide of the far post. Thereafter it was mostly Woking as they pinned passive United deep into their own half. Midfield dynamos Jai Reason and Paul Carden were disappointingly anonymous, ceding control to Bradley Quamina and flame-haired Aussie Reading loanee Oliver Bozanic, and ending up on the edge of their own box where the only supply they could offer to the strikers and wingers was an array of hopeful long punts forward.
The United defence, though, led as ever by Bolland and Wayne Hatswell, is well used to this sort of bombardment, having stood up so well to Barrow last time out, and Woking were betrayed by their lack of fire power where it really matters. On the quarter hour a Bozanic corner was cheekily back-heeled just wide of the near post by Lambu, and three minutes later a dangerous challenge by Wilfried Domoraud which flattened Anthony Tonkin led to an untidy bout of mass push-me-pull-you which culminated in a yellow card apiece for Reason and Lambu.
United got out of their own half to gain a free-kick in a decent position on 21 when Lorraine impeded Chris Holroyd, but Courtney Pitt's effort was lamer than a duck with both legs in splints and flew harmlessly over the top. Two minutes later there was peril at the other end when Bolland's header dropped to Pattison just outside the area, and his fierce half-volley flashed narrowly wide of the post as Potter watched in trepidation.
Best chance so far, however, came on 26 when Willmott's cross from the right found Pitt in acres of space at the far post with right-back Michael Kamara nowhere to be seen in the gloom. Courtney took one touch to control, then shot straight at keeper Danny Knowles when a cooler headed player would surely have fired low for the far post. Wasteful.
Two minutes later Holroyd threatened Knowles' goal when a mazy run and one-two with Scott Rendell culminated in a splendid shot from twenty yards which just curled wide of the far post. Thereafter, though, United conceded control back to the hosts, with Carden and Reason unable to make any impact.
Potter had to make an excellent save on 36 when Domoraud set up Pattison for a strike at goal with his right 'swinger' that was bobbling in at the far post until diverted round by the diving United number one. Six minutes later Bozanic attempted a spectacular volleyed net-burster than he didn't catch quite right but might have been poked home by Domoraud had he been more alert, but really that summed Woking up: energetic, frenetic, but lacking quality where it really counts.
United had not enjoyed a particularly good first half, but had withstood the Cards' assault mostly comfortably and created a few chances of their own to boot. Now if they could just improve their performance by a few notches to somewhere near the standard of the last few months before their enforced layoff (especially the midfield), surely the points were there for the taking. Like Barrow, Woking had given it their best shot and come up short.
And like at Barrow, the U's started the second half in promising style; at last they began to play their own game, passing accurately amongst themselves, instead of being rushed into aping Woking's longer game. The rust was still falling off, however, passes going astray which two weeks ago would have been right on the button. United failed to make significant use of their greater possession, the hosts continued their huffage and puffage and the hour mark came and went with precious little to excite the squinting spectators in the intimately lit ground.
A 63rd minute foul by Pattison on Willmott offered United a chance to show off one of their dazzlingly intricate free-kick routines, but after Reason touched the ball through Pitt's legs, Hatswell's drive for goal was pulled lamely low and wide. Carden, gradually if belatedly getting into the game, almost bulldozed through the middle a minute later but was robbed by Quamina before he could shoot, and on 67 United at last gained their first corner of the night, but it was no more successful than any of Challinor's long throws which had preceded it, the Woking defence dominant in the air all evening.
Potter clutched Lorraine's drive on 70, and two minutes later we finally saw Tonkin's first overlap of the match when Pitt sent him clear down the left channel, but his pull back failed to find a colleague. Back up the other end Marum gave chase to a ball over the top but was baulked by Hatswell as Potter gathered; no foul given, and it was the United defender who went down injured.
Something had to change if the U's were to gain the win they wanted, and on 76 Andy Parkinson was introduced in place of the frustrating Pitt, Willmott moving to the left flank. Parky's first contribution was a run and cross to Rendell, but on an off-day for the U's top scorer he was unable to make anything of it. Reason then fired a daisy-cutter wide, while on 79 a foul on Pattison by Bolland presented Marum with a free-kick opportunity, but the wall deflected it up and over. Then the action switched again and Willmott sprinted clear after a Reason ball over the top, but Knowles saw it early and hared from his area just in time to make the clearance.
On 82, however, the deadlock was finally broken. Willmott was the creator, heading for goal down the left then pulling an intelligent ball back across the edge of the box... and unlike in the first half, a United miidfielder, Reason, was arriving in support to guide a little curler unerringly into the bottom corner past Knowles' despairing dive; how well he could see it under those lights, who can say. Breakthrough: 1-0.
The result was no longer in doubt. Domoraud scuffed unconvincingly wide for the toothless hosts, and on 85 Reason was forced to withdraw to be replaced by Ainge for his U's debut, slotting in at right-back while Challinor moved to the centre. Woking introduced an extra striker in Rob Elvins for Lambu, who had disappeared some time during the second half, but next strike at goal came from Ainge, of all people, marauding forward and lashing wide from the angle.
The hosts made another change, Joel Ledgister for full-back Joe Anderson, but they had nothing left to offer as United coolly kept possession for most of the four added minutes, Quamina picking up a yellow for a frustrated barge on Tonkin. Then it was all over, and United had maintained their promotion charge in efficient style.
They had been a long way from their best, and who can say what the reasons were; the fortnight away from action, the peculiar lighting, Woking's gung-ho but ultimately second-rate approach. At this time of the season it is a case of never mind the quality, feel the points. But with Stevenage and then Kettering on the horizon, a return to something approaching top form will be needed without further delay if the pursuit of Burton is to continue. And if it does, this may well turn out to be a significant result.
It would be a surprise if Woking went down - they are certainly at least four worse teams than them in this division - but if they do succumb, no-one will forget their belated contribution to Earth Day and the eerie atmosphere at Kingfield, as if they had fitted their floodlights with those crappy funny-shaped energy-saving bulbs, or had simply fitted football's first dimmer switch.
Ironically, the club had staged a presentation the same evening to commemorate their signing of the Deaf Friendly Football Club pledge, committing themselves to opening up the sport for the hard of hearing. With the blackout having extended the hand of inclusion to those with visual difficulties too, it had truly been an evening for everyone. It will be nice to get back to daylight on Saturday, though. Let's hear it for British Summer Time!
Statto Corner
United have now won their last five matches. The last time achieved this feat was in October/November 2007, with league victories over Torquay, Northwich and Burton (all 2-1) and FA Cup wins over Stafford, Aldershot and Weymouth to take their run to six. The U's last won five consecutive league games by winning the last two matches of the 2006-07 season, against Aldershot and Tamworth, then the first three of the following campaign, against York, Oxford and Farsley Celtic.
You have to go back to September/October 1996 to find the last time United won five or more consecutive league games in one season, when they defeated Northampton and Scarborough 2-1, Exeter 1-0, Darlington 5-2, Hartlepool 1-0 and Brighton 2-1. The top scorer during this purple patch was none other than Tony Richards, with three.
Woking have been one of United's most obliging opponents since our relegation to the Conference. They won our first encounter, 2-0 at the Abbey in September 2005, but since then the U's have won 3-0, 1-0 and 4-1 at home, and enjoyed four shutouts at Kingfield with three 1-0 wins and a goalless draw.
Sam Ainge is the eleventh player to wear the number 17 since the squad numbering system was introduced. So far it seems to have been a number for underachievers, starting with the much-hyped but deeply underwhelming Jamie Cassidy, then moving on to the likes of Steve Slade, Richard Prokas and Ash Fuller, loanees Richard Logan and Stacy Coldicott, Tes Bramble (who at least scored one of the Abbey's greatest ever goals), and the unfortunate Franco Nacca, whose promising playing career was cut so short by injury.
Most recent 17 wearers were Rob Wolleaston, who produced a number of excellent performances for United but all too often seemed to promise more than he achieved, and Gavin Hoyte, who fell out of favour after a good start and some positively bone-crunching tackles. He currently enjoys the thankless task of trying to keep Weymouth's defence together.
Player Ratings
Potter 7. One excellent save, a couple of near misses, otherwise comfortable evening.
Challinor 6. Unconvincing first half, settled pretty well in the second.
Tonkin 7. Steady performance, with few major forward forays.
Bolland 8. Stood up to first-half barrage with his usual unflappability.
Hatswell 8. Woking huffed and puffed but never looked like blowing Hats off course.
Willmott 7. Intermittently lively.
Reason 7. Relatively anonymous until he popped up with that late winner.
Carden 6. One of his least effective U's games ever.
Pitt 6. Played his part, but still frustrates with his final delivery.
Holroyd 7. Never stopped running and probing despite poor service.
Rendell 6. Allowed himself to be muscled out of it far too often, and won almost nothing in the air.
Parkinson 7. Made a decent impact.
Ainge 6. Decent start, solid five-minute cameo.
Match Summary
Ring-rusty United took almost as long to get going as the lights, but just had too much quality for a willing but limited Woking side in what was a similar victory to their last match at Barrow.
Man of the Match
Wayne Hatswell. More comforting than a twenty-foot square blanket.
Ref Watch
Whitton 8. Unobtrusive, unfussy, sparing with the cards…more like this, please.
Becky's World of Wit and Wisdom
"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true." [Barnsley, 26/10/91]
Hello... Goodbye
On this day in 1996 United drew 1-1 at Cardiff in a match refereed by the inimitable Steve Bennett; their side included two players making their debuts and one making his last appearance in black'n'amber. None of them were exactly memorable.
Gary Pick was a ball-playing midfielder signed on a short-term deal after his release from Hereford. After two starts and two more games as sub, he moved on to non-League pastures new at Worcester and never played in the Football League again. He wasn't very good. Neil Illman was a diminutive, hard-working striker who enjoyed one start and four sub appearances for United without scoring; he later moved on to Exeter then, like Pick, drifted out of League football, never to return.
Playing his last game for the U's that day was Bradley Wosahlo, off the bench as he was in his previous three outings. The Ipswich-born winger started at Brighton but soon wound up back near home with Sudbury Town, where United spotted him. He subsequently returned to Sudbury then stayed in the area with Diss and Ipswich Wanderers. He, too, never played League football again.
On this day in 1985 the U's lost 3-1 at home to Hull with a side which included debutant striker Mark Farrington, signed on loan from Norwich. He notched a debut goal, too, but failed to score again in nine subsequent appearances for what was, in fairness, one of the most useless United sides ever, which went bottom of Division Three in September and stayed there for the rest of the season. He went on to play in Belgium, Holland and Germany, for Hertha Berlin, so he can't have been that bad.
Richard Key made his second debut for United in the same match. Having played 56 times for United between 1978 and 1983, the athletic keeper was sold to Orient but returned two years later for thirteen more appearances on loan from Sunderland. He managed two clean sheets in the latter spell.
United's 4-0 defeat at Barnsley on this day in 1976 also saw a first and a last. Tall defender Tony Tuddenham made the first of thirteen appearances before moving on to Bishop's Stortford and Cambridge City; that's right, he never played League football again, either.
On his way out was splendidly tough right-back John O'Donnell. Originally signed from Leeds, he notched a decent tally of eight goals in 79 wholehearted League games, before moving on to Hartlepool.
Soundtrack of the Day
Doves 'Kingdom Of Rust'
Andrew Bennett
Andrew's previous match reports
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