By Jacob Greenwood

Woking have a great history in The FA Cup and took major scalps in the 1990’s including famous victories against West Brom and Millwall.

In more recent history, The Cards have enjoyed playing both the favourite and underdog in FA Cup and in the build up to the start of this year’s competition against Boreham Wood on Saturday, we take a look back at some of the highlights.

2009/10

Second Qualifying Round

Following Woking’s relegation from The Conference, The Cards found themselves starting The FA Cup from the second qualifying round for the first time in a very long time and were handed a trip to Hythe Town. If Woking thought this would be a walk in the park, they were given a rude awakening when Pat Kingwell beat the offside trap to put the side from Kent ahead. Goals from Ricky Anane and a Giuseppe Sole penalty gave Woking the lead but a replay was forced when a free-kick from inside the Hythe half found its way past everyone in a crowded box and ended up in the back of the Woking net.

The replay was a much more straight forward affair for The Cards with a Giuseppe Sole and Ola Sogbanmu both grabbing a brace and Sam Sloma also got on the score sheet to round off a 5-1 victory.

Third Qualifying Round

Maidstone United were drawn to face Woking at Kingfield and an early goal from Wilfried Domoraud, which saw the striker turn, shoot and find the top corner set The Cards on their way to another victory.

This is The FA Cup and there always has to be a bit of magic, something out of the ordinary, and we weren’t left disappointed. Players are often criticised for going down easily, but in this case, it was the referee. The injury to the ref saw the linesman take the whistle and a call was put out over the tannoy for a qualified ref. A fan, out of nowhere, ran the length of the KRE and down to the dugouts upon hearing the request, as if it was his big chance that he had been waiting for. With white trainers and jogging bottoms on, he took the flag and off we went!

Woking had a lot to thank this voulenter for, the game would have been abandoned if nobody stepped forward. They also had him to thank for not giving  Luke Medley offside when he doubled Woking’s lead at the death.

Part two of this FA Cup run to follow.

Pictures by David Holmes. A full set can be viewed at wokingfc.co.uk