Worner finally beaten as poor Cards lose their way

Nov 11 2009 Surrey Herald

AFTER the Lord Mayor's show came St Albans.

From the high of giving League One Swindon more than a match in the FA Cup on Saturday came a game devoid of skill and enlivened by just two decent Woking shots - and even those were strikes against the woodwork.

Just how much Harry Arter meant his late looping effort to thump the top of the crossbar, only the midfielder will know, but at least Mitchell Bryant's drive from 20 yards that brushed the same bar brought a sliver of warmth to the frozen fans.

Ross Worner's man of the match award tells its own tale.

The Woking keeper's double save on 50 minutes, first from Gary Cohen and then the onrushing Drew Roberts, was equaled when he got down low to an audacious 40-yard free-kick that fizzed off the slick turf from Godfrey Poku.

He was finally beaten six minutes from full time when Lamine Sagna's first shot in Blue Square South football trickled into the Woking net, via Worner's desperate outstretched hand.

The first-half was truly awful. Had it been a degree or two mistier, it would have better protected the 1,000-odd fans from suffering the dire football on show.

There was not one shot near the goal from either side - never mind on it.

The best chance fell to Alex Bailey who found himself through on goal but smashed a shot so wide, those following the trajectory could also see the assistant referee's flag up for offside against the St Albans winger at the same time.

Bryant rounded the keeper after he was put through by Tom Hutchinson, but the on-loan striker was driven wide and found the way barred after that.

With some understatement, boss Graham Baker reckoned it had been the proverbial bad day at the office.

He added: "There wasn't one player on their 'A' game. As bad as they were, we thought let's just get a point and get out of there. But that kind of thing is proving elusive at Kingfield."