Woking FC
Woking FC win over Bromley dedicated to injured striker Scott Rendell
"We're all devastated for Scott," says Cards star after Vanarama National victory
Chris Dyke
One up: Giuseppe Sole (right) gives scorer John Goddard a hug
Striker Giuseppe Sole recalled his own bitter knee injury hell as he dedicated Woking's first win of the season to stricken pal Scott Rendell.
The Cards saw off promoted Vanarama National new-boys Bromley 2-0 at the freshly-named Laithwaite Community Stadium on Tuesday (Aug 11), courtesy of a John Goddard double either side of half time - Sole having a hand in both goals.
Asked about team-mate Rendell, last term's 24-goal top-scorer facing an operation and out for the season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Saturday's opener at Tranmere Rovers, Sole said: "We're all devastated for Scott because he is a good bloke, a top boy and coming off the back of such a brilliant couple of seasons for him, it's such a shame.
"Personally, I'm quite close to Scott and I was gutted when I heard the news. "He's been brilliant for Woking, absolutely unbelievable, and playing with him I've learned a lot as a player and a person as well. I'm upset for him but the Scott I know is a strong character and I'm sure he will be back stronger and fitter than ever."
Horsell-born Sole, whose workrate and contribution in a lone striker's role for 80 of the 90 minutes was exceptional, knows all too well the emotions Rendell will be experiencing having suffered similar ACL damage three years ago, which cast him into the football wilderness for 12 months. It set something of an ugly precedent with fellow Cards Kevin Betsy, Mark Ricketts and Mike Cestor also crocked later by knee injuries which required surgery.
"It was all a bit of a blur, it happened so quickly," said Sole, recalling his own torment in August 2012.
"I had a scan on the Friday and was in [for the operation] on the Monday and from then on I was just focused on getting fit again.
"I've told Scott if he wants my advice I'm always on the other end of the phone, but I'm sure he will be looked after. He has a lot of contacts in the game as well as the physio here so he's in good hands.
"He's got to stay strong for himself and his family because he's got two litle kiddies and a fiancee, but this will be a walk in the park for him because he's a tough old cookie."
Sole's sure touch and awareness inside the penalty area, set up Goddard to shoot the Cards' one up in the 36th minute - squeezing the ball under the sprawling Alan Julian from six yards before revealing his own personal get well message to Rendell emblazoned on his T-shirt.
After Sole had made his presence felt in a tangle with Julian, which ended with Goddard stroking in his second six minutes after the break and the keeper claiming Sole was offside as he lay in the goalmouth, it was job done for Garry Hill's well-drilled, hard-workers.
Bromley enjoyed some good possession after that but Woking's back four of Jake Caprice, towering central pillars Ishmail Yakubu and Brian Saah, plus sponsor's man-of-the-match Chris Arthur, gave them little encouragement. Ahead of them, Joey Jones but especially skipper Ricketts were formidable shields, but all over the pitch Hill got every last bead of sweat and energy from his players.
Goddard and Kieran Murtagh were buzzing, while new signing Kadell Daniel - making his home debut and released by Charlton in the summer - looks set to be a real crowd pleaser, dare one say it in the Betsy mould, on the right wing.
Sole said: "After the news yesterday, everyone was on the floor - the fans, the team, the gaffer, the club, everyone, so it was nice to get back to winning ways. It was a win for Scott, to cheer him up and cheer everyone else up too and it was a lovely touch by John [Goddard] with his T-shirt and message to Scott.
"Bromley didn't really look like troubling us and with our centre-halves you don't really get much chance, but I think we nullified their threat all over the pitch."
Having been used, chiefly, as an impact player off the bench, Sole is now keen to make an impact as a starter.
"I've got my chance now, but in the worst possible circumstances," he added. "I didn't want to get it this way but that's how it happened. I've just got to do my bit for the team and myself as well and enjoy my football. Tonight, hopefully, was the first of many games to try and have an impact. No one wants to be on the bench and I'm going to try to take my chance."
Meanwhile, the club have launched a fundraising appeal to help cover Rendell's medical costs, believed to be around £12,000, and wages. The Crowdfunder, set up by Cards Trust director Ian Nicholson, quickly passed the £5,000 mark, which included an individual donation of £1,000.
To donate go to www.gofundme.com/byw7w9mc.
Garry Hill
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