MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 0-1 Woking FC

SWINDON TOWN departed the FA Cup at the second round as non-league Woking FC won one-nil at The County Ground to cause a dramatic upset. TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker gives his match report in the aftermath of the defeat.

Former Swindon player Jake Hyde headed the only goal of the game in the 53rd minute as Town failed to make it to the competitions third round for the sixth consecutive season. 

It took Swindon just eighteen seconds to get off the mark against Stevenage in the midweek fixture, however, a robust Woking side did well to limit early opportunities.

Ellis Iandolo created the only worthwhile chance in the games opening ten minutes as his shot in the 4th minute deflected out for a corner. 

Controlling the ball saw Swindon dominant in possession but lacking in quality as Woking were happy to sit back and defend. 

Playing on the right wing saw Michael Doughty fail to have the same impact on the games opening half as he did on Tuesday night. 

Whilst wet and windy conditions made it difficult for Sol Pryce isolated up front. 

Four Swindon corners in the games opening twenty-five minutes presented the hosts with opportunities to test Woking goalkeeper Craig Ross, but poor deliveries failed to make any significant impact.

Woking’s pace on the counter-attack was the away sides biggest threat as Max Kretzschmar created one of their few chances in the 25th minute. 

Picking the ball up on the edge of Town’s penalty area, the attacker skipped past two defenders before going down in the box amid penalty claims as a corner was given.

For all of Swindon’s possession, a lapse in concentration almost gifted the visitors a goal in the 37th minute. 

Kyle Knoyle playing a backpass to Luke McCormick put the keeper under pressure as Iandolo forced McCormick’s shanked clearance off the dead ball line.

The sloppy play resulted in a restless home crowd that made their thoughts heard as Swindon’s best chance of the game came just moments later. 

Jak McCourt shooting from long-range had Ross scrambling as the shot-stopper was forced into a brilliant diving save down at his left to keep the game level.

Half-time came just moments later as Swindon left the pitch frustrated and lacking in quality with Woking deservedly level. 

Emerging from the tunnel after the interval, Swindon increased the intensity of their game as the match resumed play. 

James Dunne picking the ball up on the halfway played a one-two with Doughty before passing the ball out to Knoyle who’s cross was put behind for a corner. 

Having been on the back foot all game, Woking took a shock lead in the 53rd minute. 

Left-back John Casey burst down the left-wing unchallenged by Knoyle before crossing into the Swindon box as Jake Hyde rose highest amongst a sea of red shirts to head past McCormick.

Behind and seeking to avoid becoming a victim of an FA Cup upset, Richie Wellens urged his players forward hoping for an instant reaction. 

Twine nearly levelled with a deflected shot in the 54th minute and was given a golden opportunity in the 66th minute to get them back in the game. 

Substitute Elijah Adebayo raced into Woking’s penalty, played a delicate cut-back to Twine who was left with an open goal but couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet as centre-back Jack Cook slid in to clear. 

A goal up in a match they weren’t expected to score in saw Woking sit back and defend getting every payer possible behind the ball. 

Swindon passed the ball from left wing t to right attempting to break down their robust opposition but a lack of quality in the final third kept Woking ahead. 

Doughty’s shot from inside the six-yard area in the 83rd minute was saved well by a spread-eagled Ross, as Matty Taylor blasted his free-kick over the bar from 35 yards out. 

Long balls into the box in the games dying moments were dealt with well by the Woking defence as the non-league outfit held on to create club history and progress to the third round of the FA Cup.