Woking 0
United 1
(Little 19′)
Armani Little struck the decisive goal against his former club on Good Friday, as Gary Johnson’s side came out on top against Woking.
In what was a closely-fought encounter against old rivals, it was Little who provided the only breakthrough in first-half, before his strike was backed up by a hearty defensive display to clinch four wins on the bounce for The Gulls.
Ahead of kick-off, the Gaffer made two changes in the starting line-up that ran out 5-1 winners over Notts County last Saturday, as Dan Martin and Asa Hall replaced Tom Lapslie and Stephen Wearne.
United enjoyed much of the possession inside the first ten minutes.
In the 4th minute, some good build-up play by newly recalled duo Martin and Hall saw the ball played out for Duke-McKenna on the right flank, who was able to cut into the edge of the box before firing an effort wide.
The first gilt-edged chance of the game fell for the home side in 11th minute when Soloman Nwabuokei was played through on goal, however Shaun MacDonald was alert to come off his line to claim.
United’s persistence with latching onto a number of inviting balls over the box paid off in the 19th minute, as Johnson’s side caught Woking on the counter.
A perfectly placed ball up the right-hand touchline from Ben Wynter was chased by Little who cut into the right side of the Woking box, and with Ross forced to choose between committing himself to prioritise stopping the former Cards man, or Lemonheigh-Evans alongside him, Little punished any momentary indecision by drilling his shot into the top left corner to give United the lead.
The Gulls continued to press the Woking defence in a bid to back up that lead.
In the 27th minute, they were awarded a free kick on the right-hand side of the Woking box which was curled in by Dean Moxey and found Hall, but his glancing header was wide.
Good build-up play between Little and Lemonheigh-Evans saw the latter get a shot on target, but it was blocked by a retreating Woking defender.
Moments later, the action reverted down the other end, as Wynter had to be alert to head the ball back to MacDonald to deny the advancing Effiong.
The home side did come close to levelling on 40 minutes after a cross found Max Kretzschumar beyond the far-post, but his first-time volley was into the side-netting.
United continued to press the Woking in the closing stages of the first half, and were alert enough to clear two Woking corners in the additional four minutes injury time to ensure the side entered half time with a 1-0 lead.
The second half began in similar style to the first, with both sides trading punches by way of chances.
United’s first after the restart came from a free kick just outside the right edge of the Woking box, as Moxey stepped up and curled the ball towards the right-side of goal, but Ross was alert to claim on 53 minutes.
The hosts came close to an equaliser in the 63rd minute when substitute Nicke Kabamba rattled the bar, before moments later a corner found Kretzschumar beyond the far post who could only direct his effort into the side-netting.
Both sides continued to up the ante in the remainder of the game, but there were no more clear opportunities until the 86th minute when Jamar Loza cut into the left edge of the United box before squaring for Effiong, but his low-driven effort was wide of the left-hand post – it was a real chance to level things up.
With the officials signalling a mammoth seven minutes of additional time, a determined Torquay backline were forced to soak a number of threatening set-piece threats, although they also created a wonderful chance to rubber-stamp all the points two minutes in, as Little’s rampaging run down the right ended with him picking out Lemonheigh-Evans by the penalty-spot, only for Ross’ sprawling smothering save to deny him.
Corners, free-kicks, and long throws into a packed goalmouth all came and went up the other end, until the referee’s long overdue final whistle finally brought the match to a conclusion, and with it seal another massive result for Johnson’s team.
Whether it’s champagne football or hard-fought heroics – this side is rapidly proving it’s one built for all seasons.
Woking: 13. Craig Ross, 3. Josh Casey (c), 4. Tom Champion (18. Nicke Kabamba 63′), 5. Joe McNerney, 8. Soloman Nwabuokei (7. Jamar Loza HT’), 9. Inih Effiong, 10. Max Kretzschumar, 11. Tyreke Johnson, 14. George Oakley, 22. David Longe-King, 23. Jermaine Anderson (20. Jack Roles 82′).
SUBS NOT USED: 6. Moussa Diarra, 16. Louie Annesley.
Yellow Cards: McNerney 77′
United: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 3. Dan Martin, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 9. Danny Wright, 8. Asa Hall (c), 10. Armani Little, 14. Chiori Johnson (16. Keelan O’Connell 90+2′), 15. Stephen Duke-McKenna (27. Opi Edwards 80′), 21. Dean Moxey, 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Ali Omar, 19. Klaidi Lolos, 29. Joe Felix.
Yellow Cards: Lewis 18′, Moxey 56′, Duke-McKenna 78′, Wynter 89′
Attendance: 3344 (646 away)