Solihull Moors 0-1 Woking – Woking enter playoffs with final three points

(As seen in Woking News & Mail - 04/05/2023)

A first league goal of the season for Ricky Korboa was enough for Woking to take their final three points of the ‘regular’ season, against Solihull Moors in the Vanarama National League.

Korboa, 26, was a late first-half replacement for the limping Rhys Browne but made his impact 15 minutes into the second half when he found himself on the end of Jim Kellermann’s crossbar shot to comfortably tuck home into the bottom left-hand corner.

Despite the weather forecasting sunny skies, the rain came down from the start and lingered for the entire 90 minutes at the ARMCO Arena, on the outskirts of Birmingham. Woking were hoping to put their disappointing defeat to FC Halifax Town behind them and still fight towards finishing in the top three.

On the game as a whole, Dyer said, “We’re really pleased with the win first and foremost. Massive credit to the players today, they had to give everything to get the three points. I can’t fault the lads, in terms of application they were brilliant today and we’re pleased with a clean sheet.”

Woking came out of the traps flying with multiple attacks leading to one set-piece after another. Both Marcus Dackers and Kacper Lopata had the opportunity to put The Cards in front, just five minutes into the game. Moments later, Browne forced a great save from Solihull’s ‘keeper Kieran Boucher, as his shot was pushed away from the goal. Kyran Lofthouse had a chance from far out when he smashed the side netting, as well as Browne again getting a shot off, but this time his effort went just wide after a great counter-attack by Solomon Nwabuokei.

Solihull’s only real threat in the first 45 minutes came when Tom Whelan took aim from outside the box with his shot taking a deflection and going out for a corner.

In the second half, Korboa was alive to Kellermann’s effort and his finish sent the 395 travelling supporters into elation. On his goal, Dyer said, “He was nice and bright on the rebound and tucked it away which is great for him.”

He nearly doubled both his and the side’s goal tally for the evening as the game’s final chance saw him find space out on the right to shoot, but his shot crashed against the post and bounced across the goal line, away from danger.

Mark Beck had an opportunity in between for The Moors but other than that it was a solid display from the Surrey side. Dyer’s overall assessment was fair stating, “The manager mentioned we needed to be better with our movement during the first half because we were quite critical of our final pass but we were excellent at regaining the ball and defending for the most part. We then kept chipping away second half and when the goal came, it was a good time for us.

"We have a group who are willing to put their bodies on the line for each other and get the job done. Today felt a little bit like that and it’s a fantastic feeling.”

On the travelling Cardinals, he went on to say, “Brilliant, fantastic, I think that the gaffer made a real point at the end to the players to get that little bit closer to it all and get in and amongst all the celebrations because it adds to that connection that we’ve felt all season, whether it be at home or certainly away.

"We know what the means financially for people to do that in this climate, especially for people to spend their money for an evening kick-off on a Saturday night, it doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone in the dressing room.”

Solihull Starting XI: Boucher, Clarke, Gudger, Osborne (65), Kelly (81), Donawa, T. Whelan (76), C. Whelan, Jones, Beck, Tiensia

Subs: Mills, Owen (65), Brogan, Ryley (76), Stevens (81)

Woking Starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Lofthouse, Casey, Wilkinson (46), Moss, Browne (45+2), Nwabuokei, Kellermann (65), Lopata, Dackers, Ince

Subs: Ross, McNerney (46), Korboa (45+2), Amond, O’Connell (65)

Attendance: 3,247

MOTM: Solomon Nwabuokei