Woking secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Hartlepool United at The Laithwaite Community Stadium, their dominant second-half performance ultimately sealing the win. The home side displayed clinical finishing and resilience throughout the encounter.
The match began at a brisk pace, with both teams probing for an early advantage. Woking drew first blood in the eleventh minute. A well-worked move culminated in Oliver Sanderson finding the back of the net, giving his side a crucial early lead. Caleb Richards was credited with the assist. Hartlepool United attempted to respond, but Woking’s defence held firm.
The home side doubled their advantage in the thirtieth minute when Chinwike Okoli added a second goal, further bolstering Woking’s confidence and putting them in a commanding position as the first half drew to a close.
The complexion of the match shifted dramatically at the start of the second half. In the forty-eighth minute, Hartlepool United were reduced to ten men when Cameron John was shown a second yellow card for violent conduct, resulting in a red card. This presented Woking with a significant numerical advantage.
Despite being a man down, Hartlepool United made tactical adjustments, introducing Jermaine Francis, Danny Johnson, and Pharrell Brown in a triple substitution in the sixty-ninth minute. Woking also made changes, bringing on Jack Turner and Tariq Hinds in the seventy-third minute.
The breakthrough for Woking came in the seventy-sixth minute when Harry Beautyman extended their lead to 3-0. The goal was assisted by substitute Jack Turner. The advantage was further amplified in the eighty-ninth minute as substitute Ashley Boatswain added a fourth goal for Woking. The assist for this strike came from fellow substitute Tariq Hinds. Boatswain’s goal, scored by a substitute with an assist from another substitute, underscored Woking’s effective use of their bench.
The final whistle blew with Woking comfortably leading 4-0. Jack Turner received a yellow card for a foul in the eighty-fourth minute.
This victory sees Woking move up to eleventh place in the English National League standings with 35 points from 26 matches. Hartlepool United remain in tenth place with 37 points from their 26 games. The result marks a significant three points for Woking as they continue their league campaign.
