MATCH REPORT: Woking 2-1 Macclesfield FC

Woking 2-1 Macclesfield

Isuzu FA Trophy – Fourth Round

Laithwaite Community Stadium

20th January 2026

Tough weather conditions and late drama at the Laithwaite Community Stadium saw a double from Sanderson place Woking ahead, while a late goal followed by a penalty call almost caused upset.

The early lead fell the way of the hosts, with a quick move down the right-hand side seeing a dangerous delivery whipped into the box. Falling to Sanderson, the forward was able to fire his 7th-minute effort past Dearnley in Macclesfield’s net.

The 13th minute provided a golden opportunity for Macclesfield to draw level, with a free-kick from just outside the box, which was fired over the bar.

Another quick move down the right side looked threatening in the 14th minute for the Cards, this time as the delivery was hit first-time by Turner, but his effort was well-blocked by the visiting defence.

Once again, Macclesfield missed the chance to level with an effort which flew over the bar. In the 23rd minute, the Cards initially defended a corner ball from the visitors, with the follow-up effort too high to trouble Ross.

Excellent involvement from Ross in the 33rd minute kept Woking ahead. Through on goal, Woltman looked up to see only Ross ahead of him, but the keeper was quick off his line to make a critical block.

A second for Sanderson followed. Ward picked up a through ball and placed a dangerous cross into the penalty area, with a touch from the Macclesfield defence leaving the ball motionless in the centre of the box. Arriving, Sanderson was able to fire home in the 34th minute, with an effort which saw the Cards in at the half with a two-goal cushion.

Half-time: Woking 2-0 Macclesfield

Immediately after the restart, Sanderson looked set to get his third, with a poor ball back to Dearnley almost cut out by the forward. The keeper recovered, however, to collect before Sanderson could hit home from the centre of the box.

Moments later, half-time substitute Mellor found himself through on goal for the visitors, but after driving into the box, his 48th-minute effort hit the side netting.

A last-minute recovery followed once again for Dearnley, this time as Hinds went shoulder to shoulder with the keeper, with the number one doing well to tap out for a corner.

Looking to get back into the game, Macclesfield created a couple of chances in quick succession to reduce the deficit. In the 70th minute, a low shot from just inside the box forced Ross into action, who collected down to his right. Moments later, with Ross off his line, a first-time shot was directed towards the empty net but fell wide.

In almost a third for Woking, O’Brien went close in the 78th minute with an effort which curled towards the bottom right corner, but he was denied by the diving save of Dearnley.

Immediately on the attack, Macclesfield then broke forward with Mellor firing past Ross from close range to get one back in the 79th minute.

A crucial moment followed, with Mellor standing over the spot-kick which would put his side level. Calm under pressure, Ross was there to deny, with an excellent reaction, seeing him block to his right in the 80th minute.

As the game drew to a close, a series of corners unfolded for Macclesfield, with the third corner cleared up field, and the follow-up shot from Griffiths dragged narrowly wide.

The game was then almost put to bed by O’Brien in the third minute of injury time, as Osude’s run into the box found O’Brien in front of goal. His shot, however, was met by Dearnley, who did well to stop the shot and collect the following loose ball.

Nevertheless, Woking retained their lead, meaning they progress to the 5th round of the competition, facing Walton and Hersham on January 31st.

Woking: Ross, Drewe, Richards, Okoli ©, Odusina, Andrews, Ward (Osude 64’), Hinds (Tunji Akinola 75’), Turner, Timmy Akinola (O’Brien 64’), Sanderson (Boatswain 64’).

Unused substitutes: Jaaskelainen (GK), Beautyman.

MOTM: Olly Sanderson

Attendance: 1,144

Report by: Holly Porter