After a dreadful performance last week the senior players in the squad got together to thrash out our issues and work out what was needed to turn our season around, ultimately the conclusion was that we needed to roll our sleeves up, show some character and fight for every point.

With this in mind an 'experienced' side was named for today's cup tie against a strong side in AFC Woking, we knew it would be a tough 90 minutes but were looking for a performance to build a league run on.

We started brightly, putting pressure on the full backs and creating some half chances whilst winning the battle in midfield. It was clear that Woking's strength lay with their 2 strikers as they looked to get the ball up to them as quickly as possible which put some strain on our new defensive line up. But we were holding strong and on the odd occasion that they created good chances AC was equal to their efforts.

We were all square at half time and a place in the QF's of the cup was in the sights of both sides, we needed to keep battling throughout the second 45 and be more clinical with our chances up top.

The second half was a tricky affair as the wind got stronger against us and Woking peppered us with long ball after long ball and we were spending more and more time in our own half, we went through a quiet period and were looking under pressure so we made a change and welcomed Pete back after almost 4 months out to strengthen the defence.

Then came a real talking point, a quick break out from defence through the midfield and Darren was released past the static Woking backline with a neat through ball and he tucked the finish past the onrushing keeper. However, just before Darren shot the ref blew up for offside and as we argued this with the ref as he was clearly onside by some yards the opposition linesman announced that it wasn't Darren that was offside but Gobbers who was a good 15 yards away from the play. The ref said there was nothing he could do as he already given the decision and he would not entertain any conversation at all nor would he even speak to the linesman about his future decisions.

With 20 minutes to go Woking got their breakthrough as we failed to clear a second phase attack the big number 10 fired past AC from 10 yards out 0-1. All too often we have collapsed from this point and it was now time to show the character and work rate that we had discussed and demanded from the squad at training and before the game. We didn't disappoint and as the game opened up with Woking looking to kill the game off and ourselves pushing forward for the equaliser there were big challenges and lung busting runs all across the pitch.

We had some clear chances to get the equaliser, a couple of shots only inches wide and Darren also hitting the post from 6 yards out but with 2 minutes to go Sam found himself outnumbered 4 to 1 at the back as we had all surged forward and the Woking winger slotted in from inside the box 0-2.

As disappointed as we were to lose and drop out of the league cup we should be proud of the character we showed in by far our best performance in 2 months against one of the best teams in the league who will be in with a very good shout of winning this cup. If we can take this level of performance into our next 2 league games which are huge 6 pointers we will be just fine. Enjoyed the Albion love today boys, plenty of smiles on faces and some good shower action x

Guildford Albion FC

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