There is always something special about walking into a football ground shortly before kick-off. At Woking FC Kingfield Stadium this was a mix of the usual anticipation augmented by the wonderful smell of meat pies ready for half time.
Woking play in Blue Square South, that’s five leagues bellow the Premiership and obviously a gulf in football terms. Teams are mostly made up of part time players with one or two full time coaches. Going into the game Woking were top of the Conference South, leading Welling United by 10 points. They are on a nice run with 16 wins, 6 draws and a solitary loss so far this season.
Woking are the closest club to my parents house and it’s been at least 25 years since I was last there for game. But it’s Boxing day, and that means a full slate of games across the country and time to revisit Woking for a game. Traditionally Boxing day (day after Christmas) games are local derbies, and this is no exception as they are playing probably the closest team to them; Farnborough. The away supporters travelled maybe 6 or 7 miles to be there today.
It’s a long way between the top divisions and Woking, and that was clear by the style of football played. Today was mostly route-1 “long ball down the middle” stuff. No one is going to mistake it for the beautiful game played else where, but that lack of subtlety was still entertaining.
While Woking walked away with a 1-0 win, I think even they will admit they were lucky to get away with the points. Farnborough has a majority of the possession, the best of the chances, but were let down by some really poor keeping. Every time Woking went forward there was no telling what would happen.
The only goal came early. On eleven minutes a cross from the left was allowed to somehow race across the penalty area untouched an put away with a diving header for
Farnborough had decent pace up front, Woking countered that by having two big centre backs and a couple of great saves from their kepper. Both sides played a very physical game, but that’s to be expected at this level. It was a good, fun afternoon of football and a very respectable crowd of just over 3000.
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4 Comments
I’m glad you had a good time at Kingfield, was not the beast game, but there is something special about non-league football. It’s people who love the game.
Dave, I think the closest we have here is minor league baseball, but I get that’s not a good parallel. Teams in England have bee playing in the same town, or even the same ground for 100+ years in some cases.
We just don’t have the same depth and connection. The Spokane Indians go back to the early 1950’s, but that is nothing compared to town football clubs in the UK. Nice post, and I’d like to see teams like Woking one day.
Peter
Sorry for my bad english. Thank you so much for your good pos about great game.
Woking have worked wonders this year. They have done this through a mix of picking up youngsters and working with them to fulfil their potential, along with getting a few old pros to make them competitive.
Woking have done well and BS-South is theirs to loose.