Woking 1-1 Southend United – Woking clinch Vanarama National League Playoff spot

Woking sealed a spot in this season’s Vanarama National League playoffs for the first time in their history as they drew 1-1 with Southend United. An early second-half goal from ex-Shrimpers striker Marcus Dackers was cancelled out by Jack Bridge’s equaliser.

It was the visitors who had the first chance when a loose ball found Noor Husin but his shot from outside the box just flew over the crossbar.

There wasn’t much action to follow after that, with the main focus turning towards Southend captain and former Cards player Nathan Ralph and Woking full-back Dan Moss both being substituted due to a clash of heads.

HT: 0-0

In the second half the home side came out with a statement of intent and took the lead. A long ball from Will Jaaskelainen found Padraig Amond who flicked on a header to Dackers and saw him lob Collin Andeng-Ndi to score against his former side. He has now scored in both fixtures this season, one for each side.

The Shrimpers were back on level terms though just over five minutes later when Husin picked the ball up on the halfway line and his perfectly timed pass found Bridge whose left-footed shot found the bottom right-hand corner.

Husin was the man who created everything and nearly put his side in front when he found space out wide before delivering a teasing ball that franticly went past everyone.

Joe McNerney made his way onto the field before the hour mark, replacing Billy Sass-Davies, who picked up a yellow card within the first 60 seconds of the match. He nearly regained his side’s previous advantage when Charlie O’Connell’s corner found him, but his header went wide.

Solomon Nwabuokei was another substitute who nearly scored straight from his introduction after taking aim from outside the box, however, his shot was easily saved into the midriff of the ‘keeper.

In the dying moments, Rohan Ince nearly recreated his magic from last time out against Dorking with a thunderous strike outside the box, but this time his effort flew just over the bar to round up a quiet day at the office.

FT: 1-1

In the midst of what was a very tired display and effectively two points dropped, results elsewhere meant that Woking will be playing Vanarama National League Playoffs for the first time ever. It’s a huge month ahead and also a huge ask with the fact one of Wrexham or Notts County, both on 100+ points, will not go up automatically. The fact remains though that this is a step in the right direction and history is being written for all of us to see. #COYCards

Woking Starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Casey, Cuthbert, Amond, Moss (21), Browne (66), O’Connell, Kellermann, Dackers, Ince, Sass-Davies (55)

Subs: Ross, Lofthouse (21), McNerney (55), Nwabuokei (66), Lopata

Southend Starting XI: Andeng-Ndi, Scott-Morriss, Ralph (7), Lomas, Hobson, Kensdale, Husin (76), Taylor, Miley, Cardwell, Sandat (84)

Subs: Bridge (7), Mooney (84), Powell, Fonguck (76), Demetriou

Attendance: 3,798

Man of the Match: Jim Kellermann