Report: Woking 3-1 Magpies

A red card in the 64th minute paved the way for an unsuccessful trip to Woking for the Magpies on New Year’s Day as Alan Devonshire’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat. 

 

Dev made one change from the side which beat Wealdstone on Boxing Day, with Miles Welch-Hayes replacing Manny Onariase in defence. 

 

Torrential rain hampered playing conditions at Kingfield Stadium, but the game got going as scheduled with United kicking off in the first half. 

 

It took just four minutes for the hosts to open the scoring. Harry Beautyman played Inih Effiong through a large gap in the Maidenhead defence, and the striker – who last faced United just five weeks ago as Braintree player – worked his way around Craig Ross and fired home. 

 

A rejuvenated United soon peppered Will Jaaskelainen’s goal, with the Finnish ‘keeper earning Man of the Match for his performance. Will de Havilland would be the first to shoot towards goal, latching on to a clever backheel from Tristan Abrahams, but the defender’s shot ricocheted off the bottom of the crossbar. 

 

Reece Smith would prove to be a thorn in the Cardinals’ side, first setting up Shawn McCoulsky who was unable to connect. Two minutes later, Smith himself would challenge the Woking ‘keeper, forcing him into a sprawling save. 

 

United would be rewarded for their persistence as the game approached half-time. Cian Harries’ hash clearance only went as far as Abrahams, who struck from 20 yards out past Jaaskelainen and into the bottom left corner. 

 

 

The second half was a quieter affair for the first quarter of an hour, but the first controversial decision came when Abrahams was brought down in the penalty area in front of the 211-strong travelling faithful. 

 

Less than ten minutes later, the pivotal moment of the match came as Miles Welch-Hayes brought down Beautyman in the box. Although not the strongest challenge, the tackle was deemed enough for Welch-Hayes to be sent his marching orders. Beautyman would then convert his own penalty, restoring the Cardinals’ lead. 

 

Akin to their performance against Solihull Moors, United refused to give in despite their opponents’ man advantage. De Havilland would strike the woodwork for the second time, large in part thanks to the deflection from a Woking defender. 

 

Another penalty appeal for Maidenhead was dismissed in the 69th minute. Tyrese Dyce was tackled with the ball in a dangerous area, but again this was waved away. 

 

Dyce almost had himself an equaliser with less than ten minutes to go. His header from a set piece beat Jaaskelainen, with agonising groans as the Woking defence scrambled to clear it off the line. 

 

Ultimately, the hosts would put to bed any chance of a Maidenhead comeback when Inih Effiong converted a low cross in stoppage time. 

 

 

The result leaves United in 21st on 23 points, behind Braintree and Wealdstone on goal difference. The latter, due to postponements and cup fixtures, have two games in hand. 

 

Woking: Jaaskelainen, Harries, Beautyman, Gorman ©, Effiong (Walker, 90’), Chicksen, Akinola, Ward, Anderson (Ince, 90’), Kelly-Evans, Vincent (Andrews, 85’) 

 

Magpies: Ross ©, Dyce (Keetch, 87’), de Havilland, Lokko, Ferguson, McCoulsky, Pettit (Barratt, 87’), Smith, Cochrane, Welch-Hayes, Abrahams 

 

Attendance: 1,848 (211)