March 1, 2025
Today’s match was a quarter final tie in the FA Trophy, as struggling National League North side Oxford City hosted Woking, 16th in the National League. Both sides were just two wins away from a Wembley final and would be fancying their chances if they were to get through this round, as none of the current top 6 in the National League were left in the competition. If the scores were level after 90 minutes, the game would go straight to penalties rather than play 30 minutes extra time.
Oxford City had already won four matches to get this far, beating step 4 Sporting Khalsa and Hadley, 5-0 & 2-1 respectively, step 3 Biggleswade 3-0 away, before causing a huge shock by eliminating, at the time, National League leaders Forest Green Rovers 1-0 at Court Place Farm to equal their best ever run in the competition.
Woking had got through three rounds to get here, first overcoming step 3 Havant and Waterlooville on penalties after a 3-3 home draw, beating step 2 Radcliffe Borough 4-0, and then cruising past step 3 Gainsborough Trinity with a 3-0 away win.
Woking have an impressive FA Trophy history, winning three times in four seasons, in 1993/94, 1994/95 and 1996/97 under the guidance of legendary manager Geoff Chapple.
Oxford City Update
These diaries reported last week on Oxford City’s battling 0-0 home draw with second placed Scunthorpe United which ended a run of 4 consecutive defeats. They since hosted leaders Chester FC last Tuesday night and fought out another 0-0 draw. Consequently, they had taken two points from the top two without conceding a goal but had dropped to 20th in the table, three points above the relegation zone.
Woking FC
Woking is a commuter town in Surrey with an estimated population of just over 100,000. It is perhaps most famous for being the hometown of The Jam, who even sang in Sounds From The Streets “I know I come from Woking, and you say I’m a fraud. But my heart is in the city, where it belongs”. Other celebrities to come from Woking include HG Wells and Delia Smith.
Its football side were formed in 1887, playing mostly in the Isthmian League, and they won the 1958 Amateur Cup, beating Ilford 3-0 in the final.
In 1990/91 Woking famously won 4-2 at West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup with Tim Buzaglo, who played cricket for Gibraltar, hitting a hat-trick, before losing 0-1 at Goodison Park to Everton.
Promotion to the Vauxhall Conference was achieved by winning the 1991/92 Isthmian League title, where they stayed until relegation at the end of the 2008/09 season. The Conference League South title was secured at the end of 2011/12 but the stay back in the National League lasted only 5 seasons, with relegation at the conclusion of 2017/18.
Woking bounced immediately back, winning the National League South play-offs by beating Welling United in the final, and they have remained in the National League since then.
Last season Woking finished 17th in the National League, three points ahead of relegated Boreham Wood, and the season before they came 4th but lost to Bromley in the play-offs.
Home is the Kingfield Stadium, which for sponsorship reasons is currently called The Laithwaite Community Stadium, which has a capacity of 6,036, with 2,500 seats.
The club’s nickname is The Cardinals, which is usually shortened to The Cards, and their traditional colours are red and white halved shirts. The fans’ forum is amusingly called Cardboard.
I had seen Woking play on one previous occasion, going to Kingfield to watch a Vauxhall Conference match against Kettering Town in January 1994, which was a dreadful 0-0 draw. Kettering would go on finish second and Woking third, behind champions Kidderminster Harriers, who were denied promotion to the Football League. The Woking side that day included ex-Chelsea, Fulham, QPR and Brighton winger Clive Walker, who went on to score 16 league goals that season.
Previous Meetings
The two sides met last season in the National League, with Oxford City winning 3-2 at home in November in front of an attendance of 761 thanks for goals from Zac McEachran, Olly Sanderson ( on loan from Fulham ) and Josh Parker. Padraig Amond, who is currently playing back home in Ireland for Waterford, grabbed both goals for Woking. Woking manager Darren Sarll was sacked after losing to the Hoops.
In the return fixture, played in early February 2024, Woking ran out 2-0 victors with goals from Jayden Luker, who is now playing for Grimsby Town, and a penalty by Lewis Walker.
Prior to this, two games in National League South were played in 2018/19 when Woking did the double on their way to promotion, winning 3-2 at home and 2-1 away.
The sides had met twice in the FA Trophy, in 2015/16 and 2016/17, when on both occasions Woking progressed after home wins, 2-1 and 1-0 respectively, over Oxford City who were a division below. Perhaps it would be third time lucky for The Hoops today………….
Woking This Season
Woking came into today’s game in 16th place in the National League with an overall record of 9-12-12 but were 2-7-8 away from home, with the victories coming at backmarkers Ebbsfleet United ( 3-0 ) and Dagenham and Redbridge ( 2-1 ).
Woking started the season with 4 wins and a draw in their opening 8 league games, before going on a run of just one win in 14 games. However, they had turned that form around and were now on a run of only one defeat in their last 11 league games, with 6 draws and 4 wins in this run. Additionally, there had been two wins in the FA Trophy in the run.
Woking had scored only 34 goals in the league, only three sides had scored fewer.
Last time out, The Cards drew 1-1 at Forest Green Rovers. Before they had beaten Solihull Moors ( H 1-0 ), drawn with Tamworth ( H 1-1 ) and won at Dagenham & Redbridge ( 2-1 ).
In the FA Cup, Woking beat step 2 Slough Town 2-1 at home to reach the First Round Proper, where they succumbed 0-1 at home to League One Cambridge United.
Woking’s average home attendance this season was 2,197, the 9th best in the National League, with the highest being the 2,912 attending the game 0-2 defeat to Yeovil Town in November.
Woking Squad
Woking’s goalkeeper was ex-Crewe Will Jaaskelainen, who is the son of ex-Bolton Wanderers, West Ham United and Wigan Finnish international keeper ( 56 caps ). Expanding the subject of sons of my father, ex-Gillingham, QPR, Aldershot and Como forward Lewis Walker is the son of England and Nottingham Forest International Des Walker ( 59 caps ), and ex-Brighton, Fulham, Swindon and Bury midfielder Rohan Ince is a cousin of Paul Ince ( 53 caps ) and nephew of ex-Brighton, Wimbledon and Crystal Palace defender Eric Young ( 21 caps for Wales ). Ince has won 2 caps for Montserrat. Both ince and Walker were missing today.
Zimbabwe left-back Adma Chicksen ( 2 caps ) was on loan from Notts County and had previously played for MK Dons, Brighton, Charlton Athletic and Bradford City amongst others, whilst defensive midfielder Tunki Akinola was ex-Leyton Orient and Partick Thistle.
Midfielder Harry Beautyman had enjoyed a long career with Sutton United as well as playing in the EFL for Northampton, Stevenage and Peterborough United, whilst defender Dion Kelly-Evans had previously played for Coventry City and Notts County. Winger Dennon Lewis included Crawley Town, Falkirk, Wealdstone and Boreham Wood amongst his former clubs.
Lanky Lithuanian defender Jakubas Mazionis was on loan from Ipswich, and midfielder and captain Dale Gorman was ex-Stevenage, Leyton Orient, Yeovil and Barnet.
Beautyman was the top scorer with 6 goals followed by tall non-league journeyman Inih Effiong, 21 clubs at the last count and in his third spell at Woking, with 4 goals.
Woking’s manager was ex-Wimbledon, Watford, Cardiff City, Millwall midfielder Neal Ardley who had also been manager at AFC Wimbledon, Notts County, Solihull Moors and York City.
Matchday Information
According to AA Route Planner, the journey from Woking to Oxford is a shade under 60 miles and should take 1 hour 10 minutes via the M25 and M40.
The game was segregated with more than 750 Cards fans making the journey.
Tickets for today’s match were reduced to £13 for adults online ( £15 at the gate ), £8 for Over 65s ( £10 ) and under 16s free ( £1 ) . The programme was £3.50
The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was sunny and 9 degrees.
Bet365 made Woking 23/20 favourites, with Oxford City at 21/10 and the draw also at 21/10
Woking made three changes from last week with Jamie Andrews ( ex-Grimsby ), Frank Vincent ( on loan from Dagenham and Redbridge ), and Effiong coming into the side at the expense of Matt Ward, Gorman and Walker.
With keeper Laurie Walker and centre-back Canice Caroll cup-tied, Oxford City made four changes from the side that started against Chester in midweek with Reece Fleet injured and Jaydon Carbon dropping to the bench. Kai McKenzie-Lyle returned in goal, Jalen Jones came into the defence, Andre Burley was at wing-back and forward Josh Parker was back after injury.
Woking only had 5 players named as substitutes, whilst Oxford City had the maximum permitted number of 7.
Woking were wearing yellow shirts with black shorts and socks whilst Oxford City were in their usual blue and white hoops.
Match Report
The first piece of action saw Woking centre-back Mazionis shielding the ball from Hoops forward Parker inside the Woking area, but with keeper Jaaskelainen remaining on his line, the Lithuanian was perhaps fortunate to be awarded a soft free-kick.
The home side were having the better of the early exchanges and created a good chance in the 7th minute. Parker picked up a sloppy pass from Mazionis and fed Ashby, who released Alfie Potter on the right. The ball into the 6-yard area was met by Tom Scott, but the connection wasn’t the best and Jaaskelainen was able to dive to his right and make a sprawling save. Scott really ought to have scored.
Woking soon made the most of the reprieve. As Oxford City played the ball around at the back, a loose pass from Scott was intercepted by Beautyman who strode forward to the edge of the area and shot. Keeper McKenzie-Lyle made a diving save, but rather than pushing the ball away or off for a corner, the ball went to the centre of the goal for Effiong following up to bundle into the net. 0-1 with 8 minutes played.
Almost immediately McEachran went on a dangerous run, forcing ex-Harlepool defender Timi Odusina to concede a corner. Potter and Burley then combined nicely but when the ball reached Parker 10 yards out, the shot was blocked. There was then nearly a mix-up between Mazionis and his keeper, but Parker was unable to capitalise.
The shaky start from Mazionis continue when he passed straight to Ashby, who fed McEachran, but Mazionis was able to recover and block the attempted shot.
Woking won their first corner in the 15th minute but the delivery from Andrews was too long. Vincent retrieved the ball and whipped in a threatening cross, but Jalen Jones was able to head clear for the home side.
The impressive Odusina went on a good run into the Oxford City half which was ended by a late tackle from Josh Ashby. The free-kick into the danger zone was punched away by McKenzie-Lyle, but offside was given anyway.
The home side were looking lively, and a nice move featuring McEachran and Parker freed Lewis Coyle down the left wing, and his curling cross needed to put off for a corner by Chicksen. Jaaskelainen produced a Superman dive to punch the corner away.
The distribution from Mazionis was looking suspect and The Hoops were getting plenty of joy when they pressed high, and a long pass from the Ipswich loanee sailed into touch, giving Lewis no chance to keep it in play.
When Woking stood appealing for a foul on Chicksen in the middle of their half, Freddy Willcox played forward to McEachran, who fired a snapshot from 25 yards which nestled inside the keeper’s near post. Jaaskelainen had not moved. The goal stood so it 1-1 after 23 minutes.
Passing to the opposition seemed to be becoming infectious, and after several passes at the back by the home side, Jones passed straight to Andrews close to the half-way line, but fortunately for the Hoops defender, Lewis was unable to keep the attempted pass to him from going out of play.
In the 27th minute, Burley delivered a cross to the centre of the Woking penalty area, but Parker, under pressure from Odusina, could only head a couple of yards wide.
The home side did even better a minute later as a flowing move involving Potter, Scott, McEachran, Coyle and Potter ended with Potter being fouled just outside the Woking area on the left. Ashby’s free kick was met by Willcox, whose flicked header found its way into the far corner. 2-1 with 30 minutes on the clock.
At this point the Woking keeper cynically went down with a tactical injury, enabling the rest of his team to have a chat with their bench.
Shortly after the restart, Jaaskelainen could only put a clearance wildly off for a throw-in. Oxford City were reaping the rewards from their press on the Woking keeper and Mazionis, who dare I suggest it, both looked a little scared by the pressure they were being subjected to.
McEachran robbed Akinola just inside the Woking half and after exchanging short passes with Parker, spread play wide to the left for Coyle’s cross to be unconvincingly cleared by Mazionis. Akinola had followed through on Parker and was subsequently shown the first yellow card of the game.
Burley then went on a surging run at the retreating Woking backline only to be brought down 25 yards out. The free kick was headed away for a throw-in, and when Oxford City reworked possession from the throw, Mazionis was all over Jones, clearly pulling his shirt, but the officials saw nothing untoward, and play was allowed to continue.
With 36 minutes gone, Willcox’s ball down the left-hand touchline saw Parker rugby tackled by Vincent for a free kick but no card. The Hoops played the free-kick short, for a great cross-field pass to reach Burley in space, but the low ball into 6-yard area was too close to Jaaskelainen, who dived on it.
Three minutes later play was held up for a couple of minutes after the ball struck Burley in the face. The drop ball was given to the home side, who worked the ball down the right-hand channel. McEachran found Parker, whose chip towards the near post was superbly brought down by the recovered Burley ahead of Mazionis, but with the goal at his mercy, he blazed over the bar from 6 yards. It was a great chance squandered.
As the game approached half-time, Odusina’s pass went straight to Scott and a flowing City moved ended with Ashby shooting over from 25 yards.
In the 4th minute of added time Odisuna went on a good run and after receiving a return pass entered the Hoops area, only to tread on the ball, enabling Oxford City to clear and counter-attack, forcing Mazionis to foul Coyle. The free kick to the near post was put out for a corner, which led to nothing.
At half-time Oxford City deservedly led 2-1. They had won nearly all the 50/50 tackles, and Woking had looked suspect at the back when put under pressure. It was a good half for The Hoops, but surely the Cards couldn’t be as bad in the second half ?
Woking made one change at the interval, bringing on Irish ex-Millwall, Crawley Sunderland and Portsmouth striker Aiden O’Brien ( 5 caps ) at the expense of Vincent to play two up-front and almost right away Woking looked a better side.
Willcox quickly entered the referee’s notebook, pulling down O’Brien after a poor pass from a team-mate gave the Cards a chance to break. The free kick was hit long and sailed off for a goal kick despite a sad dive by Odisuna, and the referee wasn’t conned. A nice flick by Effiong then released O’Brien but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
At the other end, Parker did well close to corner flag to get a cross in, but it went just too high for Scott at the far post. Ashby then saw yellow for kicking the ball away.
Oxford City came close to adding to their lead after Parker and McEachran won possession from Mazionis, again after a high press, but McEachran’s shot with the outside of his foot from the edge of the area slid narrowly wide.
The game was now end to end. Kelly-Evans delivered a good cross to beyond the Hoops far post but Lewis couldn’t do anything with it, whilst McEachran released Potter, but the shot from a tight angle went over the bar. Lewis then produced a good cross from close to the corner flag that Jones cleared away with a towering header.
With 53 minutes on the clock McEachran, who was having a fabulous game for the Hoops, went on a strong run and was fouled. The referee played an advantage but McEachran immediately lost possession and committed a foul to give Woking the free kick.
Ashby and Coyle combined to foul Beautyman wide on the right. Beautyman got up to take the free kick but his delivery was far too long and Akinola was unable to keep the ball in play.
Odisuna’s attempted through ball was just a shade too heavy for Lewis and McKenzie-Lyle gathered.
Parker had his shirt blatantly pulled by Odisuna in front of the referee, who was unable to see any offence. Ashby was then badly fouled mid-way inside the Woking half, and the free kick was played long to Jones to head across the Woking area but the visitors were able to clear and were given a free kick.
In the 60th minute, O’Brien was able to turn just inside the edge of the area, but his shot produced a regulation save by McKenzie Lyle, diving low at his near post.
Back down the other end, McEachran was fouled in the right-hand channel, but Ashby’s free kick was headed away by Effiong and Woking broke quickly. However, good defending from Willcox denied Lewis space on the right.
A free kick to Woking saw Mazionis mis-head away from the Oxford City goal, and after a period of head-tennis, the Hoops cleared but play was halted due to an injury to Mazionis. Unfortunately for the home side, Woking’s potential weak-link had to leave the field of play and was substituted for ex-Peterborough midfielder Jermaine Anderson, with Akinola dropping back to centre-half.
The game was now scrappy and the free kicks to Woking were starting to mount up. The Hoops were increasingly looking like they were content to still on their lead rather than seek a third goal.
In the 73rd minute, Burley played in Potter and the ex-Oxford United man hit the deck from a challenge, but the referee waved play on. It looked like Potter was looking for the penalty rather than trying to score, the referee looked to have got the decision right.
Two minutes later Coyle was shown a yellow card for pulling back Odusina after the Woking defender ran past him.
Woking looked to play down the right wing, but Ashby made a great tackle and won possession, and played a lovely ball down the touchline for Parker to chase, but the Antiguan’s ball into the 6-yard box was straight at Jaaskelainen
With 13 minutes remaining it was McKenzie-Lyle’s turn to go down with a tactical injury, which was booed by the Card’s supporters behind the goal, who rightly viewed this as time wasting.
O’Brien showed good skill in the centre of the park, but Coyle made a vital interception to a pass intended down the right wing.
With 5 minutes remaining of normal time, Beautyman’s threatening cross saw Scott diving to head off for a corner. The set-piece was flicked on, but Effiong headed wide from 6 yards at the back post. It had been The Cards best chance to equalise after falling behind.
Woking continued to pen Oxford City back, and another free kick from Andrews was put out for a corner, which was played to Moss on the edge of the Oxford City box, but the header sailed harmlessly over the bar.
6 added minutes were displayed as the home side conceded another free kick near their area. This time the ball in from Andrews was superbly headed on by O’Brien, and Effiong was on hand to head home at the far post ahead of Burley and to break the hearts of The Hoops supporters. 2-2 after 91 minutes.
The home side tried to grab a late winner, but Burley’s cross bounced across the goalmouth but too far ahead for Scott. A throw-in was taking short to Coyle rather than launched into the area, and the cross was hit long for Corie Andrews to head across the penalty area for Ashby to volley, but Jaaskelainen made an excellent low save down at his left-hand post. The final whistle blew soon after, so we were heading for penalties
Penalty Shoot Out
The shoot-out was to be taken in front of the noisy Woking fans.
Ashby took the first penalty for Oxford City and sent the keeper the wrong way. 1-0
Beautyman sent his penalty down the middle as Mckenzie-Lyle dived to his right. 1-1
Coyle’s left-footed attempt went to the keeper’s left, who guessed correctly and pushed the ball away. 1-1
Effiong was next for Woking, but his penalty was pushed away one-handed by the Hoops keeper to his left. 1-1
Andrews, who missed his last penalty for Oxford City, was next but put his effort dreadfully high over the bar. 1-1
Woking’s Andrews’ poorly struck penalty was saved by McKenzie-Lyle diving to his right. It remained 1-1
Next up was Scott, but his weak attempt to go high down the middle was pushed away by Jaaskelainen with his right hand. Still 1-1.
Kelly-Evans then incredibly sent his penalty wide of the keeper’s right-hand post as McKenzie-Lyle dived to his left. 1-1
QPR loanee Rohan Vaughan took Oxford City’s 5th penalty, but another weak effort was pushed away by Jaaskelainen diving to his right. 1-1
Remarkably, 7 consecutive penalties had been missed, but Woking keeper Jaaskelainen showed the outfield players how it should be done, slamming his left-footed kick into the roof the net to take Woking through to the semi-finals. 1-2
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3s9K1kXdHk
Oxford City : McKenzie-Lyle - Drewe, Jones, Willcox – Burley, Ashby, Scott, Potter ( Andrews ), Ashby, Coyle – McEachran ( Vaughan ), Parker ( Carbon )
Woking : Jaaskelainen – Kelly-Evans , Odisuna, Mazionis ( Anderson ), Chicksen ( Jones ) – Vincent ( O’Brien ), Beautyman, Akinola, Andrews, Lewis ( Moss ) – Effiong
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