Woking 1 (Cestor 57′) Barnet 1 (Cestor OG 2′)

22/11/2014

Vanarama Conference

By Jacob Greenwood

Woking manager Garry Hill has paid tribute to his side’s reaction for coming back from a goal down to get a ‘good point’ against league leaders Barnet.

The Bees started the game 8 points ahead of second-placed Grimsby and found themselves ahead in the second minute when Mike Cestor put the ball into his own net following a teasing cross from Elliot Johnson.

The home side struggled in the final third in the first half and could have gone in two goals down when a defensive Scott Rendell header almost found its way into the Woking net from a Barnet corner. Luckily for The Cards they were saved by the woodwork on this occasion.

Woking came out fighting in the second half and found themselves level when Chris Arthur put a looping cross into the box in the second phase of a corner. The ball found Rendell, who laid it off to Cestor and the defender calmly slotted home to make amends for his earlier misdemeanour and put The Cards level just before the hour mark, which pleased The Cards boss. He told reporters:

“(It was a) Great ball in from Chris Arthur and with some players coming out and losing their markers it has fallen to Michael Cestor. I am pleased he put the ball away. He was the culprit at one end by giving the head start but he grabbed the equaliser.”

Both sides had chances to win the games and the visitors felt they should have had a penalty when the on rushing Cards ‘keeper Jake Cole took out Bees captain Charlie McDonald in the area but the referee waved away the appeals.

Woking had chances of their own to snatch all three points at the death and came closest when James Clarke hit the byline, pulled the ball back but Adam Newton fired just wide. Despite not finding the winner, Hill was pleased with his sides’ response to going a goal down against strong opposition.

“I have been encouraged by the character shown by coming from behind in our last two home games against Wrexham and Barnet. It keeps us in an area in the league table where we want to be.”

The draw moved Woking one point behind Grimsby in second place ahead of their clash against The Mariners on Tuesday evening.