Woking 1 Eastleigh 1

Vanarama Conference

1st January, 2015

By Jacob Greenwood

Jack Marriott ended his loan spell at Woking on Saturday in the best possible way with a stoppage time equaliser against play-off rivals Eastleigh much to the relief of Cards boss Garry Hill.

The home side, who only registered one league win in December, were on the verge of defeat when Kevin Betsy picked up the ball, went on a mazy run and slipped in the Ipswich loanee who smashed the ball across Ross Flitney and into the far corner to snatch a point.

Hill hailed the goal as an important one after a difficult December. He told the official club website:

“It has been a tough month and it was important to see us going into the New Year and getting something out of this match.”

Following a goalless first half, it was the visitors who took the lead a 69th-minute lead at Kingfield as a free-kick from inside the Woking half found ex-Card Craig McAllister at the back post who header the ball across Jake Cole and into the Woking net.

Woking looked the fitter side following the busy Christmas period and finished the game stronger of the two sides. It was this response and character which impressed the Cards’ boss.

“I felt that in the last 25 minutes we created more than what we did in the opening 69 minutes. I think we played better in the last 25 minutes than we have here in a long time.

“When the final whistle goes and you have got something out of it after a dismal period of time. It has given a platform and something to build on.”

Chris Arthur and Jack Marriott both ended their loan spells at Kingfield on Thursday and Hill suggested that the club would be interested in being active in the January transfer window, which opens on Saturday.

“We are going in to a very, very important few months for this football club. We are going into the New Year sitting in the top six, still in The FA Trophy, players like Mark Ricketts and Scott Rendell to come back, one or two new signings have got to come in and push us to the end (of the season).

“We have got to freshen up (the squad). I will speak to the chairman, with Steve Thompson and with Geoff Chapple and asses the situation.”

Woking travel to the North East on Wednesday to face Gateshead before travelling to Oxford City in The FA Trophy on the following Saturday, a competition Hill is keen on winning this season.

“This year I am trying very, very hard to win The FA Trophy. It means a lot to me this year and a lot to this football club.”

Photo by David Holmes. A full set is available at wokingfc.co.uk