Woking Football Club secured their first three points of the 2026/27 National League campaign with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against AFC Fylde at the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday. Two goals in the closing stages turned the match around after the visitors had twice taken the lead, giving the Cards a much-needed boost following a difficult opening to the new season.
Fylde, newly promoted after a strong National League North campaign last term, went ahead in the 37th minute when young striker Danny Ormerod headed home from an Aaron Drewe cross. Woking struggled to create clear chances in the first half but improved after the break. Matt Ward equalised in the 68th minute with the club’s first league goal of the season. The visitors restored their advantage five minutes later through Harvey Broad, who finished a move involving substitute Greg Olley.
As the game entered stoppage time, Roy Syla forced the ball home from close range in the 90th minute for his first goal in Woking colours. Moments later, Taylan Harris, on loan from Luton Town, struck a stylish winner three minutes into added time to spark celebrations among the home supporters. The attendance of just over 2,000 witnessed a performance that showed character after consecutive defeats in the opening fixtures.
The victory lifts Woking to 18th in the early National League table with three points from three matches. The side had opened the campaign with a 3-0 home loss to Sutton United on 8 August, followed by a 2-0 defeat at Gateshead a week later. Interim managers Craig Ross and Jake Hyde, who took charge after the departure of Jermain Defoe in late July, have been tasked with steadying the ship while the club continues its search for a permanent head coach.
Defoe’s brief tenure as manager ended by mutual consent after fewer than four months in the role. The former England and Tottenham Hotspur striker had been appointed in March and oversaw the final stages of last season, guiding the team to a 10th-place finish. His exit came midway through pre-season, with the 43-year-old stating that circumstances had made it impossible for him to continue. Club officials later spoke of growing concerns in the lead-up to the split.
Since then, Woking have added several new faces to the squad. Left-back Anthony Georgiou, who began his career in the Tottenham academy and later played for Wealdstone, joined on a short-term deal earlier this month. Other recent arrivals include midfielder Steven Turner on a season-long loan from Ipswich Town and defender Jaiden Putman from Queens Park Rangers. Forward Taylan Harris has already made an impact with his match-winning contribution against Fylde.
Attention now turns to Friday evening’s away fixture at AFC Hornchurch, another side adjusting to life in the fifth tier. That will be followed by a home meeting with early pacesetters Southend United on Bank Holiday Monday. Hyde and Ross have spoken of positives in recent performances despite the mixed results, emphasising the need for consistency as the season develops.
Woking finished 10th in the National League last season with 63 points. The club continues to develop its facilities and off-field infrastructure as part of a longer-term plan to establish itself more firmly in the division. Supporters will hope the late drama against Fylde marks the beginning of an upward trajectory under the current coaching setup.