Woking hold high-flying Kidderminster in goalless National League stalemate
Saturday 19 September 2026
By James Hartley
Woking claimed a valuable point at the Laithwaite Community Stadium this afternoon as they held third-placed Kidderminster Harriers to a 0-0 draw in the Enterprise National League. The result ended the visitors’ three-game winning run and lifted the Cards to nine points from nine matches.
Neither side found a way through on a tight afternoon in Surrey. Kidderminster’s best first-half opening fell to John Marquis, who was sent clear only for Jack Wint to deny him in a one-on-one. Woking then grew into the contest. Chinwike Okoli met a cross but headed wide, and late on Jaiden Putman tried his luck from 30 yards, the effort sailing over the bar.
The goalless scoreline reflected a game of few clear chances rather than a lack of commitment. Several yellow cards were shown, including bookings for Luey Giles, Tim Odusina and Oluwarotimi Akinola among others, as both teams competed for territory in midfield. Substitutions late in the second half, including the introduction of Josh Kelly for Woking, failed to force a winner.
The point keeps Woking 18th in the 24-team table, with a record of two wins, three draws and four defeats and a goal difference of minus two. Kidderminster sit third on 18 points after nine games. Southend United remain among the early pace-setters, while Woking’s next league fixtures take them to Carlisle United on 26 September and then home to Solihull Moors three days later.
Today’s result follows a mixed but improving spell. Last Saturday the Cards produced their most convincing display of the campaign, beating Altrincham 5-1 at home. Three days later Josh Kelly scored a 73rd-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Boston United, connecting with a volley from Putman’s cross after Terrell Agyemang had given the hosts an early lead.
Kelly’s contribution is no coincidence. The 27-year-old rejoined Woking in the summer on a two-year deal after being released by League One side AFC Wimbledon. He had already spent the first half of last season on loan at Kingfield, scoring five times in 24 appearances before an injury against Eastleigh on Boxing Day ended his campaign. Director of football Jody Brown said at the time that the club had not seen the best of him on that loan and believed he could return to his best over the next two years.
Brown and manager Jermain Defoe have spent the close season adding experience and depth. Midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey signed a new contract after 34 appearances last term. Defender Tunji Akinola extended his stay. Forward Ashley Clarke arrived from AFC Bournemouth on a two-year deal, and experienced striker John Marquis has also joined. In August the club brought in Anthony Georgiou on a short-term deal and added Jaiden Putman and Steven Turner on loan.
Brown has publicly argued that results have lagged behind performances. In an interview earlier this month he said the squad was the strongest since he arrived, that several key players started the season short of match fitness, and that missed chances had cost points. He maintained the aim remains a top-ten finish, even while the table has shown Woking in the lower half.
For supporters, a clean sheet against a side sitting third will feel like progress after a difficult opening month that included a 3-0 home defeat to Sutton United and losses at Gateshead, Hornchurch and Hartlepool. The 5-1 win over Altrincham and the Boston equaliser suggested attacking fluency is returning. Holding Kidderminster without conceding adds a defensive note to that picture.
Attention now turns to the trip to Brunton Park. Carlisle will present another test of whether Woking can turn tighter performances into a climb away from the lower reaches of the National League.