Woking 2-0 Weymouth: Terras suffer fifth straight defeat

Johnson 17, Kretzschmar 90 pen

WEYMOUTH 0

WEYMOUTH were punished for late missed chances as Woking claimed a 2-0 victory in their Vanarama National League clash, both sides ending with 10 men.

Tyreke Johnson cashed in on early Woking pressure to put the hosts ahead before Omar Mussa went close with three efforts for Weymouth.

Tom Blair was sent off for the Terras in an off-the-ball flashpoint but it was 10 v 10 soon after when David Longe-King earned a second yellow for a late challenge.

Ben Thomson came on for his 250th Weymouth appearance but missed two presentable opportunities before Ben Morgan’s late foul in the box enabled Max Kretzschmar to put the game to bed.

READ MORE: Woking 2-0 Weymouth - how it happened

Searching for only his second win in 13 games, Weymouth boss David Oldfield made three changes to the side that began the 3-2 loss to Wealdstone last time out.

Haji Mnoga was called up by Tanzania for international duty, while Ahkeem Rose and Ollie Harfield missed out completely.

In their place came Morgan, the centre-back returning after a long spell out with injury and illness, plus Tom Bearwish and Blair.

On the bench, there were two changes with centre-back Taofiq Olomowewe featuring after a loan stint at Dulwich Hamlet and Ben Thomson also grabbing a place in the dugout.

With Weymouth coming into this game following a 10-day break, early rustiness was partially to blame as Woking emerged the quicker of the sides.

A warning of what was to come came from Jamar Loza, whose low ball across the area scuttled beyond George Oakley.

Woking then cracked an effort against the post on 14 minutes, Oakley unleashing Johnson into space to drive forward and thump his shot into the woodwork.

Josh Casey blasted over and Loza was denied by keeper Ross Fitzsimons before Woking eventually took the lead in the 17th minute when Johnson was allowed to stride forward and find the bottom corner.

Woking, who are notoriously difficult to break down, went close to a second via Oakley’s header from a pinpoint Solomon Nwabuokei cross.

Weymouth managed to stem the tide and, after a lull in chances, finally asserted themselves on the contest on the half hour mark.

Mussa was the man to have the Terras’ first serious attempt at goal, unleashing a dipping effort at goal that narrowly cleared the bar after good work from Cameron Murray.

Cameron Murray, right, was again one of Weymouth's brighter sparks Picture: MARK PROBIN

Woking responded when Olly Pendlebury shot straight at Fitzsimons after being gifted possession in a dangerous area.

Weymouth continued to make their presence felt as the half wore on, Mussa’s venomous shot denied by Craig Ross in the Cards’ goal.

The Terras then won a free-kick and corner in quick succession, generating another chance for Mussa whose near-post shot was repelled by Ross.

Woking mustered one final chance before the break when Pendlebury improved on his earlier effort, lashing at Fitzsimons who was able to deal with the power in the strike.

Fitzsimons was worked by Loza early in the second half and the Cards also had a penalty appeal waved away after Bearwish halted an attack.

In reply, Weymouth created a half chance for Morgan from a Sean Shields corner, the centre-half’s effort cleared by the home defence.

Sean Shields caused Woking problems with his deliveries Picture: MARK PROBIN

However, the dynamic of the game was altered with a flurry of cards midway through the half – including a red for both sides.

Blair was first to go, his old disciplinary problems at Dorchester resurfacing in an off-the-ball incident with Casey.

Tom Blair was sent off for the first time in his Weymouth career Picture: MARK PROBIN

Weymouth had a numerical disadvantage for just four minutes as Longe-King picked up a second yellow for a late tackle, Johnson then hauled off for Joe McNerney in response.

Oldfield waited until the final 12 minutes to make a change, subbing Bearwish off as Thomson made his landmark appearance for the club.

Murray was then taken off for striker Goodship in an attacking move but once more it was an error at the back that cost Weymouth.

Morgan was culpable, bringing down sub Effiong in the area and allowing penalty specialist Kretzschmar to convert the spot-kick down the middle.

Nine added minutes were needed due to the red cards but Woking looked likelier to score as Effiong danced around Fitzsimons before his shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Drewe.

And Loza ran almost the entire length of the pitch before firing off target under pressure from Josh McQuoid.

But the Terras were made to wonder what might have been if they had taken their chances, Woking condemning the visitors to a fifth straight league defeat.

Woking: Ross, Casey, Champion, Diarra, Loza, Nwabuokei, Johnson (McNerney 75), Oakley (Effiong 78), Longe-King, Ince, Pendlebury (Kretzschmar 66). Subs not used: Allarakhia, Kabamba.

Terras: Fitzsimons, Morgan, Cordner, Mussa (Olomowewe 90+5), McQuoid, Ash, Bearwish (Thomson 78), Drewe, Blair, Murray (Goodship 80), Shields. Subs not used: Mampala, Scott.

Referee: Ryan Atkin

Attendance: 1,826 (71 Weymouth fans)