Woking 1-1 Southend United: The Shrimpers Left Frustrated After First-Half Chances Go Begging

Harry Cardwell’s 38th-minute penalty had given The Shrimpers a deserved lead after Kieron Dyer’s side created the better opportunities during an impressive first-half performance.

But, just three days after failing to make their first-half superiority count against Kidderminster Harriers, Southend were left with similar frustrations.

Woking made three substitutions at half-time and emerged a different side, with O’Brien eventually converting from close range after Joe Duncan had twice denied the hosts in the same attacking sequence.

Duncan then produced an important late save from Jake Forster-Caskey to ensure Southend left Surrey with a point and maintained their unbeaten away start to the season.

The Shrimpers Start On Top

The response to Friday night’s 3-1 defeat against Kidderminster was encouraging from the outset.

Southend started with purpose and forced Woking backwards during the opening exchanges, winning a succession of corners and creating the first clear opportunity inside seven minutes.

Anthony Hartigan delivered from the left and found Ben Goodliffe at the back post, but the defender was unable to direct his free header on target.

Lewys Twamley, making his first Southend start, quickly began causing further problems.

The Welsh winger cut inside from the right, created space for himself and curled a shot from around 25 yards towards goal, forcing Will Jääskeläinen into a diving save.

Steven Turner produced Woking’s first effort of note with an overhead kick, although Duncan gathered comfortably.

Southend remained the more threatening side.

Twamley Denied After Racing Clear

Twamley was at the heart of another huge Southend opportunity midway through the first half.

Anthony Georgiou was caught in possession and Twamley immediately accelerated towards the Woking goal.

The winger took the ball around the advancing Jääskeläinen and stayed on his feet before attempting to finish.

Georgiou recovered from his original mistake and got back in time to make a vital goal-line block.

Harry Cardwell was next to threaten, meeting a Dan Cox delivery first time but sending his effort wide.

The pressure was beginning to build.

With seven minutes of the half remaining, Southend finally made it count.

Cardwell Converts From The Spot

Leon Chambers-Parillon delivered towards Josh Popoola at the back post and the Southend winger went down under a challenge from Zico Asare.

Referee Lewis Smith pointed to the penalty spot.

Cardwell stepped forward against his former club and made no mistake, sending Jääskeläinen the wrong way to put The Shrimpers ahead in the 38th minute.

Southend then had an excellent opportunity to double their advantage before the interval.

Cox won possession with a strong challenge before Twamley sent the ball forward. Woking failed to deal with the danger and Cardwell was allowed to race through.

Jääskeläinen stood up well and blocked the striker’s attempt.

The rebound dropped invitingly for captain Oli Coker, but his follow-up went over the crossbar.

For the second match running, Southend went into half-time having played the better football without fully reflecting that superiority on the scoreboard.

Woking Change The Game

Woking responded decisively at the interval.

Aiden O’Brien, Jake Forster-Caskey and Tunji Akinola were all introduced as the Cards made three half-time substitutions.

The changes immediately altered the flow of the contest.

Where Southend had controlled much of the first period, the hosts now began playing with greater intensity and forced The Shrimpers deeper.

A goalmouth scramble provided an early warning before Liam Dulson’s low 20-yard effort forced Duncan down to make a good save.

Forster-Caskey also tried his luck on the half-volley as Woking continued to increase the pressure.

Dyer responded with changes of his own.

Charley Kendall replaced Cardwell before Sahid Kamara and Ryan Colclough were introduced for Twamley and Popoola.

But Woking had the momentum.

Just past the hour mark, the pressure finally produced an equaliser.

Duncan Saves Twice Before O’Brien Levels

Duncan initially kept out an effort from Dulson.

Roy Syla reacted to the loose ball, only for the Southend goalkeeper to make another save.

The third opportunity, however, fell to O’Brien.

The substitute followed in and converted from close range to make it 1-1 in the 61st minute.

Having controlled the first half, Southend now had to find a way back into a much more even contest.

Harry Taylor and Darren Oldaker were introduced for Gus Daley-Campbell and Hartigan.

Oldaker soon had an opportunity from a free-kick around 25 yards out, but his effort was gathered by Jääskeläinen.

At the other end, Matthew Ward curled an effort wide as Woking continued to pose a threat.

Duncan Protects The Point

As the match moved towards its conclusion, Woking came closest to finding a winner.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Forster-Caskey took a free-kick from the right and forced Duncan into an excellent save, the Southend goalkeeper tipping the ball over the crossbar.

It was another important intervention from Duncan on an afternoon when he had become increasingly busy following Woking’s half-time changes.

There was also late concern for Southend when substitute Kamara appeared to suffer a hamstring problem.

Neither side could find a decisive second goal and, once again, there was nothing to separate Woking and Southend United.

Six Consecutive Draws

Perhaps recent history should have warned us what was coming.

The previous five meetings between Woking and Southend had all finished level.

Monday made it six draws in succession.

Southend’s 2-0 victory at the Laithwaite Community Stadium in October 2023 remains the last time either club has won this fixture.

The point also preserves The Shrimpers’ unbeaten start away from Roots Hall.

Victories at Altrincham and Solihull Moors followed by this draw mean Southend have collected seven points from their opening three National League away fixtures.

After suffering their first defeat of the season against Kidderminster on Friday, avoiding another setback was important.

There will nevertheless be frustration that a game Southend controlled for much of the opening half did not produce all three points.

Team Line-ups