Woking 1-2 Bromley – Playoff heartbreak for Woking at Kingfield

Woking’s 2022/23 season came to a heartbreaking end as a late header from Charlton Athletic loanee Deji Elerewe, saw Bromley come from behind to set up a semi-final tie against Chesterfield.

The visitors, who finished their league campaign in seventh, had the game’s first chance when a long throw from Omar Sowunmi found Michael Cheek at the near post, but his header was saved by Will Jaaskelainen from a tight angle.

Two minutes later, The Ravens had another chance and this time from a corner, with the ball eventually falling to Louis Dennis who drilled hard and low, but Jaaskelainen made another great save.

Despite Bromley’s pressure, it was Woking who took the lead with their first chance of the game, when a half volley from James Daly was flicked on by Jim Kellermann to Rohan Ince who hammered home from the edge of the box, beating Reice Charles-Cook in goal. A man for the big occasions popped up with a goal when needed.

Bes Topalloj tried to get his side straight back into the game with a brilliant ball into the box, which found Louis Dennis who got a toe on it from close range, but a fantastic save by Jaaskelainen prevented him from scoring.

Woking were already hampered with the ruled-out Rhys Browne not making the squad but there was to be more added misery when midfielder Jim Kellermann had to be substituted due to an injury he picked up.

HT: 1-0

In the second half, Woking started the better with Solomon Nwabuokei taking aim but just missing the target, followed up by Padraig Amond forcing a great save from Charles-Cook.

Just before the hour mark though, Dan Moss brought his man down inside the box with a clumsy challenge and the referee awarded the visitors a penalty. Michael Cheek stepped up a sent Jaaskelainen the wrong way to put his side back on level terms.

Just over ten minutes after that, Bromley were in front for the first time in the game when a throw-in eventually found Elerewe who looped his header into the top left-hand corner, sending the travelling supporters into pandemonium.

The Cards struggled to create any last chances, which sealed their fate and meant that they will be playing Non-League football again next season.

FT: 1-2

It must be said that Woking Football Club have recorded an incredible season, their best in over 25 years, with playoffs at this level for the first time and that will go down in the history books forever. It wasn’t to be in the end but a massive congratulations must still go to the players and staff for what they achieved during the campaign.

The club will be hungrier than ever to get back to this position and fuel this experience to go even further next year. Until then, thank you for keeping the dream alive into the month of May and see you back for pre-season in July. For one last time… #COYCards

Woking Starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Casey, Cuthbert (74), McNerney, Daly, Amond, Moss (80), Nwabuokei, Kellermann (34), Dackers, Ince

Subs: Ross, Lofthouse (34), Wilkinson, Lopata (74), Wakefield (80)

Bromley Starting XI: Charles-Cook, Reynolds, Sowunmi, Cheek, Dennis (49), Stirk, Whitely, Arthurs, Topalloj, Elerewe, Fisher

Subs: Bingham, Marriott (49), Bergkamp, Webster, Forster

Attendance: 5,033

Man of the Match: Will Jaaskelainen