Woking 3 Stevenage Borough 2

Last updated : 16 August 2005 By Footymad Previewer
A brilliant late winner from Steve Ferguson gave Woking the points in an incident-filled clash against bitter rivals Stevenage.

A tempestuous opening, in which Chris Sharpling limped off injured to be replaced by Lloyd Blackman, saw the hosts take the initiative.

Stevenage defender Jason Goodliffe's header back to his own keeper Shane Gore was intercepted by Justin Richards. The striker fell under Gore's challenge and when referee Malone pointed to the spot, Ian Selley drove Woking in front from 12 yards. Gore escaped with no more than a talking to.

The game exploded after that with Boro's Dino Maamria sent off for what looked a fairly innocuous tackle that was adjudged to be a stamp. Down to ten men and a goal down, Boro - many people's tip for the Conference title - were up against it and had Ferguson squared to Richards, the Cards would have added a second.

With little football played in the opening half, it remained heated until the visitors struck back.

England semi-pro striker Anthony Elding fed man of the match George Boyd inside the box and the midfielder surged forward before slotting back Shwan Jalal.

Then after Karl Murray got himself stupidly sent off to even up the numbers, Boyd scored a stunning second. He played a one-two with Dannie Bulman before ghosting past Karim El-Salahi with a lovely shimmy before sliding home again.

Gary MacDonald headed Woking level six minutes after the break before Jalal saved well from Elding, then Darryn Stamp, before a stunning stop from Boyd's volley.

It was left to Ferguson to bring the house down with a goal worthy of winning any game, driving home a superb left-footed effort from 20 yards into the top corner.