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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 04 December 2005 |
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Peter Grimes reports on the nil nil draw at Woking:
Vics are, at least, in the third round draw tomorrow having spent the first 45 mins under siege and matching Woking in the second. It was a pulsating cup tie despite the lack of goals but it's fair to say Vics deserved the replay for sheer guts alone.
The game started as it was to continue with Woking attacking all out and trying to exploit the lack of height on the left of Vics defence. McAllister went close after 2 mins putting a low centre just wide. Soon after Vics only real stroke of luck came to their rescue when a powerful header was tipped away by Rogers and Richards following up was just in front of the ball and tried to flick it in by bringing his heel up, he connected but saw the ball bounce off the post and be cleared to safety. What may have been Rogers only possible mistake saw him rush out to try and beat McAllister to a through ball, the forward won and his shot rolled agonizingly slowly across the goal and just beyond the far post. Chapman was booked for what looked a good tackle, Rogers followed for an illegal tackle outside the box and he made another stunning save as Woking won 6 corners in 8 mins. McCarthy received a yellow for complaining at another of the referees strange decisions! Vics did look dangerous when they managed to break - Allan blocked the goalkeepers clearance but couldn't recover enough to score and in one hectic minute Allan saw his header tipped over and off the corner Carr saw his shot cleared off the line and a second shot rebound back off the keeper's chest. Keeper Jalal also made a good diving save off a Byrne touch but the half ended as it had begun with Woking forcing another 2 corners.
The last 15 mins had seen Vics come more into the game and one felt that if they could withstand the inevitable onslaught at the start of the second half then they could get something from the game. We defended 3 corners on the trot and Woking had a "goal" disallowed for offside but by the hour mark the game was becoming much more even and Vics looked as likely to score as Woking. We had a free kick scrambled away and then Roca replaced Byrne but we never managed to fully exploit his speed. It was end to end stuff but little to trouble the keepers any more until Rogers made a match winning save right on 90 mins from Karl Murray.
In the end we survived and did enough to make us think we can win the replay. The longer the game went the more Woking looked predictable as they continually tried to exploit our weakness on crosses and by the end they had run out of ideas.
Picking a man of the match was virtually impossible. 3 stupendous saves from Rogers would normally earn it but the displays of Handyside, Charnock and Elliott in front were as good. It was a great team effort but I'll give it to Peter Handyside - just!!
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 June 2008 )
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