Jonte Smith and his Woking Football Club teammates defeated Sutton United 1 – 0 to advance to the Quarter-Finals of the Buildbase FA Trophy.
Right at the death of the first half, Woking was able to strike a blow that ultimately won them the game. Another long throw from Jack Cook wasn't properly dealt with by the Sutton center half’s, and after three chaotic headers in the box, Malachi Napa produced a frankly ludicrous bicycle kick finish to lance the ball into the top corner of the Sutton net. It was the winger's first goal in Cardinal red since his fortuitous strike against Dagenham and Redbridge, minutes before a fairly serious injury; it would also turn out to be the goal to put Woking two wins from Wembley.
The last fifteen minutes were something of a strategic masterclass from the visitors, keeping the ball in safe areas and using the time up very effectively. The closest the home side would come was a long, low ball in behind the Woking line that Ben Gerring chose to leave for goalkeeper Craig Ross, the keeper had to slide out to clear the ball for a throw ahead of Ajiboye and had some choice words for his teammate. Woking doubled down on their approach five minutes from time with the withdrawal of Wareham - an early finale to a performance characterized with hard running and brave duels - for recent signing Smith.
Smith’s introduction was aimed to help run down the clock and keep the pitch tight, and the Bermudian put in a huge amount of effort on the ball to keep Sutton at bay in the closing stages, putting on his best 'Greg Luer' impression during the added time to wrestle control of the ball in Sutton's corner. Beyond that, it was a frustrating half for Sutton, with center-back Louis John booked late on for an unnecessary barge on Smith. Bugiel avoided similar punishment for catching Moussa Diarra with his studs in the dying moments.
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