Jacob Greenwood
August 10th has been a date in the diary for all conference football fans since the league came to a climax in late April. The opening day of the season is one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the season, but how have Woking fared in recent history on the first day of new campaigns.
Wrexham 3 Woking 1 (Bubb)
With Wrexham spending heavily on their squad and one of the favourites for promotion it was always going to be a difficult trip for the Cards. First-half goals from Rob Ogleby and Dean Keates brought Woking down to earth with a bump after a very successful 2011/12 season. Despite a goal from loan signing Bradley Bubb, Mark Creighton headed in late in the game to seal a 3-1 victory.
Sutton United 0 Woking 5 (Binns,Hammond,Sole,Sole,Cowan-Hall)
Many Woking fans thought that this year could be the season they finally saw their side win the Conference South and real belief was installed after a faultless performance at Gander Green Lane. With new signing Dale Binns slotting home in to an empty net after only two minutes the fuse was lit as the Cards fan riot in front of 1,200 fans. This performance set a standard for the reason as Woking went on to win the league title.
Woking 0 Dover Athletic 1
After losing the play-off final the season before to Bath City many Woking fans were positive that this could be the season they win automatic promotion. Dover were also strong favourites for the league and this was seen as a massive opening game. The game was ultimately decided when Woking ‘keeper, Lenny Pidgeley, tried to shield the ball out for a goal kick and failed miserably as Adam Birchall powered past him and set-up Elliot Charles to seal a 1-0 win for Dover.
Welling United 1 Woking 2 (Thomas, Sole)
After our relegation from the Conference National the season before, this was season as a new start for the football club and a chance to be a ‘big fish in a small pond’.
Woking went behind after conceding an early penalty but fought back with goals from Aswad Thomas and a late penalty from Giuseppe Sole stole all three points for the Cards, who after a slow start made the play-off final in their debut season in the Conference South.
All photos by David Holmes and can be found at http://www.wokingfc.co.uk/gallery/
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