displaced_seagull

With a quiet few days ahead of the weekend - and another game - Fairway took time out to do some scouting of his own. Acting on a tipoff from Kevin Walker - set to sign in the summer - Fairway travelled to Scotland, to watch Walker's current Kilmarnock teammate Chris Robertson - as well as Walker - in action for the Killie Reserve side. In front of his future manager Walker shone - scoring his second goal at that level - while Robertson, a left-sided midfield player - capped at Schoolboy level by Scotland - also impressed in an easy 4-1 win. As Fairway left to return Southwards, he put in an enquiry over the youngster - with Jim Jeffries promising to get back to him.

Scarborough v Woking - League

Unavailable

Stuart Sangster - Injured - (Groin, 3 Weeks)
Scott Canham - Injured - (Hamstring, 4 Months)

No changes to Fairway's team - young Lynch again amongst the substitutes, with new free kick specialist Wallis continuing his starting role in the centre of midfield. Though very chilly in the costal winds, threatening rainclouds seemed to part ahead of kickoff, for a watery, wintery sun to shine through over the McCain Stadium. Woking began very brightly, and after just four minutes, took the lead - a superb through ball from Rob O'Brien brilliantly finished off by Amos Foyewa , who is really impressing this season with his power in attack. Woking's lead wouldn't last too long though - and on 12, Scarborough's Richard Davenport raced onto a Mitchell pass to thread his way through the defence - beating Bayes with a powerful, right-footed shot into the net from close range. Scarborough probably had the better of the first half, with Bayes often forced into action. He could do nothing about Nabi Abidallah's shot on the stroke of half time though - the Dutchman sending a powerful, curling effort skidding into the side-netting just as the half time whistle blew. After the break Woking stepped up a gear, with O'Brien in particular busy down the right. On 61 Woking would take the lead - a Collymore cross drifting dangerously towards Foyewa, who was promptly pushed to the floor - Jonathan Wallis making no mistake from the penalty spot. Scarborough were not to be beaten - Mitchell fired a shot wide on 70 before Bayes had to make a very smart stop from sub Tungatt's vicious drive. Three minutes later though it would be Woking who wrapped things up - a Boardman inspired breakaway clearance and some inspired running from Lee Collymore gave the striker the time and space to skew the ball beyond 'keeper Coupe from inside the area. The visitors shone - but were put under a lot of pressure at times - and Scarborough never gave up, indeed Mathie should have scored in injury time - but the win is a crucial one for the Cards.

Scarborough 1 - Woking 3 (Foyewa, Wallis, Collymore)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Boardman, MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baguley (Replaced 75 Lynch), Wallis, Frecklington, Collymore, Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 4th

cantonaisgod

One to keep an eye on, good job d_s

KUTGW :thup:

displaced_seagull

Cheers


As well as an LDV exit, Fairway would be disapointed by the results of Ian Pulman's scan on Thursday morning. Though he completed the game, the young striker took a very heavy knock towards the end - and with a trip to hospital confirming cracked ribs, the hitman would be out for around 4 weeks. Joining him on the sidelines - albeit for just one game - would be Jonathan Boardman , suspended after his cup dismissal.

While Stuart McCall left his assistants post at St Johnstone on Thursday to become Grimsby manager, Fairway was more interested in something very English - that rather perverse habit of rewarding faliure. How, or why, he didn't know - but a £2000 cheque for losing in the LDV Vans Trophy would help on the financial front.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

The Sun - Football - Friday 26/10/07

'Soccer Shorts'

" Bury midfielder Kevin Hill could be set to move to Conference rivals Woking . Reports suggest Cards boss Stuart Fairway has put an offer of £5000 in for the ex-Torquay man.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

'Reports' were indeed true - Bury accepting the offer early on Saturday. Though Hill, a tough tackling midfielder, seemed keen, initial discussions on personal terms saw the two parties poles apart. Fairway handed Hill an offer, and asked him to think about the proposal over the weekend - keen to strengthen his squad, but not at the expense of Woking's already stretched finances.

Meanwhile, Word had also come back from Scotland on young Craig Robertson . £250,000 wanted by Kilmarnock for the 16-year old, with Fairway very quickly withdrawing his interest.

Farnborough Town v Woking - FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round

Unavailable

Stuart Sangster - Injured - (Groin, 2 Weeks)
Ian Pulman - Injured - (Chest, 1 Month)
Scott Canham - Injured - (Hamstring, 4 Months)
Jonathan Boardman - Suspended - (1 of 1)

With Bayes, Narada, O'Brien, Baugley, Wallis, Collymore and Foyewa all returning after their midweek absences, Fairway chose to bring Neil Sharp in for a first start of the season for the suspended Boardman. Despite his horror show on Wednesday, young Lynch would still be amongst the substitutes for the Surrey derby - and with both sides flying high in the Conference, one that was too tough to call for the bookmakers - both sides given very similar odds ahead of the match. The game started at a pulsating pace - typical for a derby - with Farnborough's Hurst and Woking's Foyewa coming close early on. On 23 Woking were very fortunate to stay level - MacDonald making up 10 yards of ground to deny 'Boro dangerman Potter. With Woking slow to get into the swing of things immediatley after the break, 'keeper Ashley Bayes needed to be at his best to keep out Hurst's crashing drive on 47. The home side started to dominate proceedings - on 63 seeing a Declan Doyle header graze the bar. By comparison, Woking looked lacklustre, and on 77 Fairway made two changes to try and drag his side into the game. The breakthrough would come on 83 - Baugley and Narada combining, before young sub Lynch put the ball across the box for Rob O'Brien to tap home at the far post. It was a sucker punch for Farnborough, who had dominated - but it proved fatal. Woking could have added a second late on - on two occasions - O'Brien hitting the post on 89 before Jonathan Wallis saw his injury time penalty, for a trip on the livewire O'Brien, well held by Findlay. Farnborough left rueing wasted chances after a local derby of true passion - there were five bookings - but it's Woking who progress to the First Round proper.

Farnborough 0 - Woking 1 (O'Brien)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Sharp (Replaced 77 McNab), MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baguley, Wallis, Frecklington, Collymore (Replaced 77 Lynch), Foyewa

displaced_seagull

While the £10,000 prize for progression was, at least deserved this time - rather than the smaller fee that granted faliure in the LDV Vans Trophy - Fairway would still be disapointed on Sunday, after the news that reserve full back Andrew Wells would be out for 4 weeks with a Groin strain.

By Tuesday, that particular problem was quickly forgotten - with the news that Woking would face Conference rivals Barnet at home in the First Round of the FA Cup - a game that would see the Cards have a good chance of progression to the Second Round, and hopefully beyond.

Meanwhile, a new arrival was appearing on the radar at Kingfield...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

www.bbc.co.uk/football - Conference - Tuesday 30/10/07

'Hill Joins Woking'

"Woking have announced the signing of 31-Year old midfield player Kevin Hill from Bury for a fee of £4000. Hill has also played for Torquay and Carlisle in a 10-year professional career.

"Kevin is very versatile" said Cards boss Stuart Fairway. "He can play in midfield, in the centre of defence or on the left - essentially, he's four positions in one".

Hill took a pay-cut to join Woking, and is thought to be in contention for a place in the team against Telford tomorrow'

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Another goal in the reserves for Micheal Kenny - a late leveller in a 1-1 draw with Farnborough - would also give Fairway a boost ahead of the visit of bottom of the league Bucks on Wednesday evening.

Woking v Telford United - League

Unavailable

Stuart Sangster - Injured - (Groin, 1 Week)
Scott Canham - Injured - (Hamstring, 4 Months)
Ian Pulman - Injured - (Chest, 4 Weeks)

New signing Hill would make his debut - replacing Wallis in one of two changes. The other - certainly more predicatble - Jon Boardman returning after his ban to replace the ineffective Sharp in defence. On a chilly, damp evening Woking started brightly, with both Hill and Jamie Baugley coming close in the opening exchanges. On 15 the new boy came close to opening the scoring - a powerful, low shot which skidded on the wet surface caused trouble for young 'keeper Palmer. Seven minutes later, the Cards took the lead - Lee Collymore stealing in unmarked to meet a Foyewa cross with a firm, side-footed effort and put Woking ahead. Palmer was quickly becoming the busier of the two 'keepers - and indeed impressed a great deal, holding onto a powerful Hill freekick on 29 before denying Amos Foyewa with a brilliant one-handed save on 41. Suprisingly, Palmer didn't emerge for the second half - replaced by veteran McKenzie, presumably after a knock. Woking took advantage of this change in personnell to add a second on 49 - Amos Foyewa this time on target from an acute angle after being put through by Narada. Telford's remote chances disapeered in a 56th minute melee - Two bookings and a dismissal for sub Andy Watkins, who spent 11 minutes on the pitch before kicking out at Narada. Telford's best spell came at the death - Loui Fazackerley coming close with an 83rd minute header - but by then, it was all over.

Woking 2 - Telford 0 (Collymore, Foyewa)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Boardman, MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baguley, Hill, Frecklington, Collymore, Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 2nd

displaced_seagull

With other results going their way, the Cards would be up to second in the table after 13 games - seven points behind pacesetters Darlington, but just 5 points clear of Barnet, lying just outside the Playoff Zone. After a quiet end to the week, Fairway was pleased to hear from his medical team that Scot Stuart Sangster should be back after his groin injury in just a few days, a week or so earlier than first feared.

Farnborough Town v Woking - League

Unavailable

Stuart Sangster - Injured - (Groin, 5 Days)
Scott Canham - Injured - (Hamstring, 3 Months)
Ian Pulman - Injured - (Chest, 3 Weeks)

Three days into November, and another derby - with another unchanged side travelling to Cherrywood Road, the scene of a true smash and grab Cup win for the Cards earlier in the season. A cold, but dry day awaited the players of both sides, with Cherrywood Road again packed with rival fans. The game started with a flurry of early chances - both Bayes and Findlay busy - before Farnborough started to dominate. On 20, they had the ball in the net - youngster John Blake seeing his powerful effort ruled out after Potter was caught offside. Just five minutes later they would take the lead - Potter racing onto a McKenzie cross, before pulling the ball back across the face for Richard Hodgson to guide home at the far post. Woking's desperation to get back into the game boiled over - Frecklington booked - but on 41, they did. A long Bayes goal kick, half-cleared, was met by O'Brien, who lifted it forward at the first opportunity. Amos Foyewa ran on, and 'keeper Findlay had no chance - a low, powerful shot into the net from the edge of the box bringing the Cards back level. The scoreline would survive for just three minutes - on 44 Turner pushed the quiet Trudgian at a corner - Richard Hodgson beating 'keeper Bayes from the spot. Fairway made a double change at the break, and on 53, it had an impact - fine control on the left from Foyewa picking out sub Chris Giles , who found the perfect time to scramble home his first goal for Woking. Woking were beginning to impress - stringing passes together with Frecklington as usual at the heart of things - but it would be Farnborough who retook their lead on 71. Four minutes after coming on, central defender Nick Burton found himself still forward following the breakdown of a free kick move, and when 'Boro countered, the veteran showed suprising skill, bringing the ball down before beating 'keeper Bayes from Sinclair's flick on. Again Woking found a quick answer - 60 seconds later MacDonald's long, looping headed clearance found Amos Foyewa inside the area for a brilliantly planted shot into the far corner. With the big Burton making attacking forays, a final goal would come on 80 - Farnborough snatching a classic derby in the real sense of the word - his shot blocked for a corner, before Mark Hurst headed the resulting Hodgson corner past Bayes. Woking did have a number of late chances - Foyewa hitting the inside of the post from a Frecklington pass - but it was not to be - and whichever of the two clubs people inside the ground may have supported, chances are they enjoyed this.

Farnborough 4 - Woking 3 (Foyewa 2, Giles)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Boardman, MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baguley, Hill (Replaced 45 Wallis), Frecklington, Collymore (Replaced 45 Giles), Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 3rd

displaced_seagull

After a geniuninley exciting - not to mention exhausting - Surrey derby, Fairway was disapointed to see that two of his fellow managers would be looking at the Sunday papers to read reports of their dismissals - WBA boss Phil Thompson and Paul Hart of Nottingham Forest getting the axe.

More bad news came on Wednesday - young Micheal Kenny , the Scottish teenage defender with a penchant for goalscoring, would be out for a couple of weeks with a gashed leg that would require stitches.

Far better news arrived on Thursday - another Irish Under 21 call for Conrad Logan - the game against Georgia likely to see him involved - with Stuart Sangster also back after a long injury layoff.

Woking v Barnet - FA Cup First Round

Unavailable

Scott Canham - Injured - (Hamstring, 3 Months)
Ian Pulman - Injured - (Chest, 2 Weeks)

No place for the returning Sangster - not fully fit after his 2 months on the sidelines. As a result, Fairway would leave his side unchanged - Kevin Hill shaking off the knock that saw his replacement in Saturday's belter of a derby. This though, was the Cup - a bit special - and in typical conditions. A howling gale, with the rain turning to sleet on occasions - no doubt winter was on it's way. The game went ahead though, and it was Barnet who adapted the quickest to a sticky pitch - Mark Williams firing a warning shot over as early as the third minute. Barnet would open the scoring too, with Ben Strevens hitting the target on 7 after a powerful run and cross from Liam Brady - born in Colchester, rather than the ex-Ireland international. Woking again took their time to get into the game, but did have the ball in the net on 23 - Foyewa's shot ruled out for a foul in the buildup by Lee Frecklington. On the stroke of half time Woking really should have taken the lead - Rob O'Brien earning a corner with a shot across the face of goal before skipper Gary MacDonald was denied by a superb Williams save. Woking struggled after the interval, and despite late changes, saw themselves outfought and outmuscled by a very determined Barnet side. While the likes of Hill and MacDonald tried to rally the troops, the Cards only managed a single threat in the Second Half, with Foyewa twisting past Plummer before scuffing a weak shot straight at 'keeper Williams. Out of the Cup - and far too easy for the Bees.

Woking 0 - Barnet 1

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Boardman, MacDonald*, O'Brien (Replaced 85 Teague), Baguley, Hill, Frecklington, Collymore, Foyewa (Replaced 85 Giles)

displaced_seagull

Despite the foul weather - and the less than impressive performance - the game would still be a big success for Woking. A huge crowd, with less than 250 vacant spaces inside Kingfield, saw no less than £80,000 raised in Gate Receipts - enough for the club to make a profit so far this month.

While Alex McGliesh took over at the Hawthorns on Monday - replacing the sacked Phil Thompson as WBA manager, Fairway was far more interested in a scout report. On another of his periodic missions to check out future arrival Walker, Steven Hall spotted Liam McGuinness , a 23-year old attacking full back. Like Walker, he too broke through the youth system at Kilmarnock, but after a succession of loan spells, found himself surplus to requirements at Rugby Park. Unfortunatley, he would come with a £30,000 pricetag, and rumours of interest from Peterborough - but Fairway wouldn't be deterred, registering a £10,000 bid for the Glasgow-born Scotsman.

Woking's reserves, meanwhile, had a woeful week - going down 3-0 to Scarborough - while Bobby Williamson became the second Scot to take a job in England, appointed manager of Division One strugglers Nottingham Forest .

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

Surrey Advertiser Online - Football - Wednesday 14/11/07

'Cards trial Striker'

"Woking have taken Reading striker Kyle Moran on trial for two weeks, with a view to a possible loan move. Moran, 20, is an Irish Under 21 international, and joined Reading after leaving Manchester United at the end of the 2005/06 season.

"He's still young, and has a powerful shot" said Cards boss Stuart Fairway. "We spotted him a couple of weeks back, and he'll have a couple of reserve games here to give us a close look at him. There's also the chance for him to play for the Ireland Under 21's, and I've asked our 'keeper, Conrad Logan, to let me know how he does."

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Woking v Canvey Island - League

Unavailable

Scott Canham - Injured - (Groin, 3 Months)
Ian Pulman - Injured - (Chest, 2 Weeks)

Despite two defeats on the bounce, Fairway again left his side unchanged for the visit of strugglers Canvey. With the Essex club firmly in the relegation zone, fighting for their Conference lives under the inexperienced Tony Clegg, Fairway felt quietly confident that his side - even in the again abysmal weather conditions - would be able to return to winning ways. Woking announced their intent early on, with both Foyewa and Hill coming close inside the opening five minutes. In many ways, it was a suprise that it took Woking until the 26th minute to open the scoring, such was their dominance. On 26, Narada took a long throw, launching the ball into the area. Foyewa applied the flick, and though 'keeper Downey blocked his initial effort, Lee Collymore slammed home the second rebound to put the Cards ahead. With passes going astray, and shots frequently ending high in the stands, the weather was certainly having an impact on the game - the rain and sleet continuing to fall over Kingfield. Woking continued to pressure into the second half, with Canvey 'keeper Downey forced into several fine saves - Hill in particular coming close with a shot that took a deflection on 55. A second did come soon after - on 67, Jamie Baugley's wind-affected corner glanced home by skipper Gary MacDonald , due a goal - his average four in a season, but this his first of the 07/08 campaign. Apart from inspirational 'keeper Downey - he tipped Foyewa's shot onto the bar on 77 - Canvey were dire, with Bayes in the Woking goal rarely threatened. With his side comfortable, Fairway took off Hill - again recieving plenty of rough treatment from the opposition midfield. The best, however, was yet to come - Downey would be beaten for a third time The pick of the bunch came on 86, with Lee Collymore beating Pearce and taking the ball forward before hitting a low, curling shot past Downey into the bottom corner. In reality the game was long wrapped up by then - and, unlike the weather, Woking are again red-hot.

Woking 3 - Canvey 0 (Collymore 2, MacDonald)

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Narada, Boardman, MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baguley, Hill (Replaced 82 Wallis), Frecklington, Collymore, Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 2nd

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Darlington | | 15 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 8 | +24 | 40 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | WOKING | | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 34 | 15 | +19 | 30 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Farnborough | | 15 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 21 | +9 | 29 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Halifax | | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 27 | 13 | +14 | 26 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Barnet | | 15 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 14 | +12 | 26 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Scarborough | | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 18 | +11 | 25 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Forest Green | | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 24 | 18 | +6 | 24 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Kidderminster | | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 26 | +2 | 24 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Macclesfield | | 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 21 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Shrewsbury | | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 16 | 21 | -5 | 20 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Kettering | | 15 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 17 | 21 | -4 | 19 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Nuneaton Borough | | 14 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 27 | -8 | 19 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Bury | | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 21 | 23 | -2 | 18 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Southport | | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 28 | 33 | -5 | 17 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Morecambe | | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 29 | -7 | 17 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Aldershot | | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 23 | -7 | 16 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Yeovil | | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 28 | -7 | 15 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Leigh RMI | | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 21 | -6 | 12 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Enfield | | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 25 | -15 | 12 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Telford | | 15 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 20 | -8 | 11 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Canvey Island | | 15 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 23 | -14 | 11 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Burton Albion | | 14 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 26 | -9 | 8 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

displaced_seagull

Thursday - and after success in the league, bad news on the injury front. Though he came through the game fine, on Thursday morning Narada pulled up in training with a Groin Strain, ruling him out for 2 weeks. Backup 'keeper Matthew Gregorie would follow, out for a similar time with a damaged foot.

On Saturday Fairway was part of a small crowd at Kingfield to watch Woking's Under 19's face Fulham . The Cards began very well, with young Paul Lynch scoring a well-taken early goal. It wasn't to be though - Lynch later dismissed as Fulham ran out 3-1 winners. Worse still, fellow teenager Chris Judge limped off with strained ankle ligaments - another fortnight layoff - towards the end of the first half.

Tuesday's Reserve match away at Yeovil gave Fairway a first chance to see Kyle Moran in a match situation. The Irishman didn't disapoint - although Woking went down 2-1, with Thomas Ward scoring the only goal. A further opportunity would come on Monday, with Fairway again set to attend a Reserve friendly against Dorchester Town . Asa Beard was also injured in the match, out for a month with fractured ribs.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

www.bbc.co.uk/football - Internationals - Wednesday 21/11/07

'Sensational Ireland Qualify for Norway 2008'

" Ireland will join England and Scotland at Euro 2008 after beating Georgia 3-1 on aggregate. On Saturday the Georgians pulled off a suprise 1-0 win in Tbilsi, with Georgy Nemsadze scoring the only goal of the game - but tonight, the Irish were unstoppable.

Damien Duff , clearly enjoying his football again after a move to Italian side Chievo, opened the scoring on 20 before goals from David Connelly and Clinton Morrison after the break saw Brian Kerr's side comfortably through.

In the other playoffs, Denmark, Ukraine and Romania progressed to the finals proper.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thursday morning, and no go on Liam McGuiness . After a week of haggling, Fairway put in a final, £16,000 offer for the wingback - but saw it turned down by Kilmarnock, the SPL side still holding out for a fee in the region of £22,000.

Woking v Enfield - League

Unavailable

Scott Canham - Injured - (Groin, 3 Months)
Narada - Injured - (Groin, 6 Days)
Matthew Gregoire - Injured - (Foot, 1 Week)
Ian Pulman - Injured - (Chest, 3 Days)

With the injury list unfortunatley bolstered during the week, Fairway had to make one change to his side - bringing in Cavell Coo for the injured Narada, while Conrad Logan made the step-up to the subs' bench for the first time in a League fixture. In atrocious conditions, the crowd looked suprisingly healthy - As did Woking, having the best of a subdued opening. Hill tested 'keeper Harwood on 10, but it was Enfield's Chris Downey who came closest to opening the scoring - Bayes scrambling across his goalmouth to keep out a powerful free kick on 20. On 36 though it would be Woking who opened the scoring - Baugley switching the ball from the left to Collymore on the right, who thundered over a cross. Rob O'Brien met it with a firm header, and will claim the goal, though young 'keeper Harwood was wrong-footed by a deflection off Crawford before the ball crossed the line. After the break Woking continued to trouble Harwood - Kevin Hill clearly looking for his first Woking goal with a series of powerful shots from all angles. On 72 Amos Foyewa should have added a second - steering wide after Hill's shot was parried straight into his path. Enfield though had not given up hope - Mitchell ruffled a few feathers wtith an 87th minute header, before deep into injury time Paul Tortoishell again made Bayes work with a headed effort. Enfield may be struggling, but they still have the spirit - and but for a slightly fortuitous deflection, would have earned a point.

Woking 1 - Enfield 0

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Coo, Boardman, MacDonald*, O'Brien, Baguley, Hill, Frecklington, Collymore (Replaced 72 Giles), Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 2nd

displaced_seagull

Sunday, and the end of the line at Blackpool for Steve McMahon - sacked with Chairman Karl Oyston hoping for a change to bring a fresh approach to the struggling Seasiders.

For Woking fans though there would only be one item of note - a 4-0 win for the reserves over Dorchester. Young trialist Kyle Moran sat out the game, but manager Fairway has still seen enough to make a loan approach, with Reading asked to loan Moran until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, ahead of Tuesday's long trip to Bury, Fairway also welcomed Ian Pulman back after his chest injury.

Bury v Woking - League

Unavailable

Scott Canham - Injured - (Groin, 3 Months)
Narada - Injured - (Groin, 3 Days)
Matthew Gregoire - (Foot, 5 Days)

A return to Gigg Lane for Kevin Hill - and again, no changes for Woking. Though having Pulman available, Fairway decided the young striker had been out for too long to warrant an immediate return to the bench, with Chris Giles again preferred as backup. Bury began very brightly, with Damian Spencer seeing a goal disallowed for offside as early as the fifth minute. On nine the Shakers would take the lead, with Woking seemingly asleep at the back - Bury countering quickly with Dave Nugent flicking the long ball over defender Boardman before beating 'keeper Bayes from the one-on-one. Bury continued to dominate - McLeish and Spencer both coming close before the break. Woking were woeful - just the one chance before half time with Amos Foyewa dragging his shot wide from inside the box. Though Fairway suprisingly made no changes at the break, Woking did step up a gear in the second half. On 66 Jamie Baugley's cross evaded the defence, but young 'keeper Nurse was able to keep out Collymore's header. By 74, changes had been made - but Woking's best chance would come on 78, when defender Downes hooked Collymore's deflected shot off the line from a Baugley corner. Woking's rally came too late - Frecklington seeing his 86th minute volley held - and the defeat is somewhat disapointing.

Bury 1 - Woking 0

Woking; 4-4-2; Bayes, Turner, Coo (Replaced 74 McNab), Boardman, MacDonald*, O'Brien (Replaced 74 Teague), Baguley, Hill, Frecklington, Collymore, Foyewa

Woking Position After Game; 2nd

cantonaisgod

Great story, KUTGW