Woking 1-1 Wealdstone – Jaaskelainen saves a point for injury struck Woking

Woking will be grateful to Will Jaaskelainen as a Man of the match display from the son of Jussi helped them take a point on the day. A late penalty from former Card Max Kretzschmar saw the game finish all square, ruling out a first-half header from Marcus Dackers.

The first major save from the Woking ‘keeper, on just his second appearance for the club, came when he tipped a powerful shot from close range onto the post and out for a corner.

Next up, he was back in action when Olufela Olomola found himself one-on-one but the man from Finland was equal to him and came out big to claim the ball.

After that, you guessed it, he was involved in the next major chance when he tipped over a free kick for another corner.

Despite all of the opportunities going towards the visitors, The Cards took the lead just before the half-hour mark when a cross from the right-hand side found Dackers who headed across the goal to put his side in front. That’s his second goal in three games and his first at Kingfield.

Just before half-time, James Daly had to be replaced due to an injury he picked up and that changed the whole outcome of the game. From that point onwards, Woking lacked much creativity down both the left and right-hand sides.

HT: 1-0

In the second half, Luke Wilkinson was the next Woking player who had to be replaced due to injury and was replaced by Joe McNerney.

There were shouts for handball from the home faithful when Rohan Ince had an effort blocked but nothing was given. The Stones went up the other end, but Dan Moss halted Olomola's progress and the ball went out for a goal kick.

Kyran Lofthouse, Solomon Nwabuokei and the returning Ricky Korboa had all linked up nicely on the edge of the box in what turned out to be Woking’s final chance of the game, despite there still being 15 minutes to play, but Lofthouse had his effort saved by Sam Howes, another ex-Card.

The inevitable happened ten minutes from time when Scott Cuthbert fouled his man inside the area and gave away a penalty. Kretzschmar stepped up and despite Jaaskelainen getting his hands on the ball, the shot was too powerful and ended up in the back of the net.

FT: 1-1

Games like this last season ended in defeat. All points are valuable and drawing is something Darren Sarll said this team needed more of last season. Of course, the way it came about was disappointing but nevertheless, this is one of the greatest seasons in the club’s history so there’s no point getting bogged down in nitty-gritty details.

Up next is a trip to Yeovil Town, where Sarll will return to Huish Park for the first time since his departure for Surrey. It sure is going to be a feisty one! #COYCards

Woking Starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Moss, Wilkinson, Cuthbert, Casey, Lofthouse, Ince, Kellermann, Daly, Dackers, Amond

Subs: Ross, McNerney, Korboa, Nwabuokei, Simper

Wealdstone Starting XI: Howes, Cook, Charles, Freckleton, Allarakhia, Olomola, Dyer, Ilunga, Kretzschmar, Barker, Habergham

Subs: Barrett, Ferguson, McGregor, Obiero, Hutchinson

Attendance: 2,889

Man of the Match: Will Jaaskelainen