MATCH REPORT: Southend United 1-1 Woking

Southend United 1-1 Woking

Enterprise National League

Roots Hall

25th March 2026

A midweek clash under the floodlights saw the Cards travel to the coast to take on a Southend side hoping to jump back into the play-off places.

The opening stages of the clash saw Gbode look threatening down the right-hand side, but it was Southend who looked the more dangerous going forward, with deliveries into the goalmouth forcing the Cards to be alert from the get-go.

Most notably, in the 12th minute, an excellent recovery and well-timed tackle from Odusina denied the hosts a one-on-one chance with Jaaskelainen. Moments later, Oli Coker fired his edge-of-the-area effort over the bar for the Shrimpers.

Despite Southend looking the more likely to score, it was Sanderson who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, after a quick move forward saw Gbode find him in the goalmouth. Leaving Collin Andeng Ndi no chance in Southend’s net, he struck into the far inside netting in fine fashion to take the advantage.

Southend went close to the equaliser on 33 minutes, after Tom Hopper’s cross was met by Andy Dallas at the back post. There to deny was Jaaskelainen, who got down to his left to block the bottom-corner finish. Moments later, the hosts struck from the edge of the area, searching for the top corner, an effort which went wide.

As the half drew to a close, Southend continued to push for the leveller, but the Cards were equal to every effort, with their defensive display, as well as some confident claims from Jaaskelainen, seeing Woking in at the half with a goal cushion.

Half-time: Southend 0-1 Woking

The second half started with spells of possession going forward for both sides, but no real threat to either goal. The closest the Cards came in the opening 15 was with Drewe’s corner delivery, which fell in the goalmouth, but no one was able to tap home on 59 minutes.

Moments after, a 61st-minute shot from the Shrimpers, struck from range, was denied only by the fingertips of Jaaskelainen, who did well to tip over the bar.

The following minute, Jamie Andrews was welcomed to the clash, a milestone appearance for him as he made it 100 for the Cards.

Southend continued to push, with their next close call falling on 75 minutes, with Jaaskelainen forced into making a near-post save from a close-range effort. Moments later, another effort came in from the Shrimpers, but their attempt to pick out the top corner saw the effort direct off target.

In the 82nd minute, Sanderson picked up the ball in the middle of his attacking third and found Gbode on his right-hand side, with the latter’s effort deflecting off target. Back down the other end, Charley Kendall was the next to go close, with an effort across goal which dragged wide of the far corner.

After much of the second-half play unfolding in Woking’s half, the 87th minute saw Southend level, with an effort turned in from the goalmouth by Hopper, seeing a late upset for the Cards, much like the reverse fixture.

Southend pushed on for the winner, and Jaaskelainen was tested on two occasions in injury time, firstly as Kendall struck a curling effort, which had to be palmed away by our number 22. Shortly after, Jaaskelainen was forced into action yet again, diving low to deny the Shrimpers, with the full-time whistle shortly after confirming the shared spoils.

Woking: Jaaskelainen, Drewe, Richards, Okoli, Odusina, Beautyman © (Andrews 62’), Ward (Hinds 78’), Timmy Akinola (Gorman 90+2’), Forster-Caskey (Tunji Akinola 62’), Gbode, Sanderson.

Unused substitutes: Ross, Turner, Ashford.

Attendance: 7381 (96 away)

Report by: Holly Porter