Woking manager Craig Ross praised his side’s fast start after they won 3-1 at home to Birmingham City’s under-21s in their final National League Cup group stage game.

Goals from Tom Dryer, Liam Dulson and Sean Adarkwa fired the Cards to victory and secured Woking’s place in the quarter-finals of the National League Cup.

The Cards were quick out of the traps at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, racing into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 12 minutes, and Ross was delighted with his side’s fast start.

“We started quickly, and we knew we wanted to do that,” said Ross.

“These games are about creating a tempo and urgency early on and we did that.

“That was one of the messages before the game. We felt in the last game in the competition against Leicester, we started slowly and without the intent we want to play at.

“That was a key message before the game, to start with that high energy and tempo and put Birmingham under pressure. The two early goals put us in a good position.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with a couple of bits in the second half, but our objective and our aim was to win the game and go through in the group, and we've done that.”

Dryer, who recently returned from a loan spell at Leatherhead, opened the scoring after three minutes, and Ross was happy with the youngster’s performance.

“Tom’s an exciting young player,” said Ross.

“He had a good loan spell at Leatherhead, and we recalled him because of our injury situation.

“He showed his quality. He's got great feet and glides across the pitch to get away from people.

“It's great for him, great for his confidence and great for the club to produce another exciting young player.”