MATCH REPORT: Woking 1-1 Altrincham

Woking 1-1 Altrincham

Enterprise National League

Laithwaite Community Stadium

31st March 2026

After the whirlwind of press coverage caused by the appointment of Jermain Defoe, Woking were back to business at home to an Altrincham side who should have enough in the tank to ensure National League survival after a decent run of form.

In their last game in interim charge, the trio of Jake Hyde, Craig Ross and Dale Gorman made four changes, with Chin Okoli rested for Timi Odusina to come into the lineup whilst Kian Pennant made way for Harry Beautyman, Jamie Andrews for Jake Forster-Caskey and Tariq Hinds for Matt Ward.

Woking came so close to striking early when Ward teed up Sanderson in the third minute, but a good save from Luke Hutchinson saw the ball tipped past the post. Altrincham took their first chance beautifully, with a strong but fair tackle in the middle turning possession over, and they were able to find the dangerous Tylor Golden down the left. He drove into the box and bent the ball beautifully into the bottom right corner.

No sooner than three minutes after the breakthrough came a controversial moment, as Sam Barnes was shown his marching orders for an apparent high foot on Odusina. His bicycle kick connected with the ball, sending it over the bar, yet Callum Walchester brandished the red card.

Despite the man advantage, Woking were unable to break down a stubborn Altrincham side in the first half, and thus went into half time a goal down.

Half-time: Woking 0-1 Altrincham

After a stop start opening ten minutes, Woking tested Hutchinson through Caleb Richards, whose low strike went through a row of bodies and might’ve taken a deflection, but the Altrincham keeper did well to parry the ball away.

Woking were piling on the pressure with various corners requiring interventions from Hutchinson and his defence. Gbode’s turn was smooth but his shot was into the side netting via a deflection, whilst Richards’ strike was flying towards goal but was blocked behind by a brave Alty defender.

A double change saw Forster-Caskey and Timmy replaced by Gorman and Andrews, with the latter’s long throw sure to come into play. His first one created an opportunity for Ward, who could only slice wide on the half volley.

With eight minutes to go, Woking broke through in some style, with Andrews firing into the top corner and past the despairing dive of Hutchinson to set up a grandstand finale.

Altrincham were down to nine men in the 88th minute when substitute Kahrel Reddin fouled Ward and then appeared to elbow him right in front of the referee, a much more straightforward decision for Walchester this time.

With the game there for the taking, Ward drove down the left and forced Hutchinson into a good save to his left.

Nine minutes were added on, and Gbode drove into the area and drove a ball fiercely across goal that was absolutely begging to be tapped in. Despite a number of chances, Woking were held by a determined Altrincham side.

Woking: Jaaskelainen, Drewe, Richards, Odusina (Okoli 71′), Beautyman, Ward, Tunji Akinola (Taylor 93′), Timmy Akinola (Gorman 67′), Forster-Caskey (Andrews 67′), Gbode, Sanderson

Unused substitutes: Ross, S Turner, Pennant, Taylor

Attendance: 2958