NEWS FROM THE ACADEMY

Woking are through to the finals of the Surrey u18?s Floodlit Cup and the U19?s maintain their pursuit of the Football Conference Youth League Southern Division Title.

Woking 3 Chertsey 1

12th March 2007
Surrey FA u18?s Midweek Floodlit Cup Semi Finals

A sparkling and robust performance witnessed the u18?s winning through to the finals of this competition with two magnificent strikes one-a-piece from Luke Baker and Ricardo Williams plus a clinical penalty from Billy Hussey.

Just five minutes gone and the pace of Jamie Montgomery down the right wing saw him surge past his full back and whip a dangerous ball across the box, a sign of things to come; two minutes later and Chris Dean went on a mesmerising solo run down the left and whipped in a delightful cross that the Chertsey keeper did well to palm away;
On nine minutes Jamie Montgomery again makes a terrific run down the right and delivered a great cross but unfortunately Ricardo Williams and Pekan Samsdeen go for the same ball and the danger is averted.

But the bombardment was not to be denied as on thirteen minutes Jamie Montgomery delivers another great cross to the far post, Pekan Samsdeen wins the ball and delivers a cute pass to Luke Baker, Luke takes a touch to his right and fires in a tremendous shot from fully 25 yards out that flies into the top right hand corner of the Chertsey goal.

There have been so many contenders for goal of the season that I am beginning to lose track.

Woking 1 Chertsey 0.

Although Chertsey were constantly a threat the Woking defensive tactical deployment was very much in charge as the team built their attacks from the back.

On twenty three minutes a flicked header by Kevin Maclaren found Ricardo Williams who chested the ball down and his effort on goal went wide right; three minutes later and it is Ricardo Williams who provides the assist to Billy Hussey who flicks the ball past a defender and fires his shot just wide.


On twenty seven minutes the game should have been over as that man Jamie Montgomery again delivered a dangerous cross into the Chertsey box, Kevin Maclaren arrived on the spot and will be disappointed that his first time effort was brilliantly clawed away by the Chertsey keeper from no more than 6 yards out.

The pressure was incessant and a free kick from Billy Hussey on thirty minutes was drilled just wide; then five minutes later Luke Baker had visions of D?j? vu as he picked up the ball in a similar area to the first goal but this time his effort went well wide.

Chertsey were strong, quick and physical and despite the robust defensive partnership of Ben Zatwardnicki in goal with Adam Gatcum, Carlos Talbot, Joe Mcnerny and Chris Dean it was always likely that the Woking goal would come under pressure at some point and on the thirty seven minute cue Chertsey carved out an opportunity that their striker fired narrowly over the crossbar.

This was the warning that Woking needed and with just a couple of minutes remaining of the first period Ricardo Williams was fed the ball in a very similar position to that when Luke Baker scored the first goal; Ricardo is a truly magnificent striker of a ball and when he turned and pushed the ball to his right maybe some 30 yards out there was an air of anticipation on the Woking bench as his thunderous effort found the top right hand corner of the Chertsey goal.

Even the opposition supporters were clapping this one!

Half Time: Woking 2 Chertsey 0.

There was no complacency allowed in the Woking dressing room, as Graham Baker knew that Chertsey would come out for the second period all guns blazing.

Just to prove the point just five minutes into the second period witnessed a Chertsey striker cutting from the left and firing his shot just wide of the Woking post.

The centre midfield battle was ably contested by Billy Hussey, Kevin Maclaren and Luke Baker and all three also were making good offensive runs into the Chertsey box however it was another mazy run from Jamie Montgomery this time down the left flank that invited a rash challenge as he powered unto the Chertsey box, the whistle was blown and a penalty awarded.

There was little doubt who would take it as Billy Hussey stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.

Woking 3 Chertsey 0.

Credit to Chertsey they did not give up at any stage and just a couple of minutes later another Chertsey effort sailed over.

Thirteen minutes into the half and Kevin Maclaren tested the Chertsey keeper again with a left foot effort that was saved; then just one minute later a beautifully delivered free kick from Billy Hussey found Joe Mcnerny stretching but his header drifted just wide of the left hand post.

With twenty eight minutes remaining fresh legs were introduced as Jonny Targett, Matthew Powell and Reis Stanislaus came on for Ricardo Williams, Adam Gatcum and Luke Baker; however an unfortunate injury to Joe Mcnerny a few minutes later was to create new impetus for Chertsey as Woking went down to 10 players.

That impetus was to bear fruit on thirty minutes when controversy erupted as a Chertsey player appeared to kick the ball out of Ben Zatwardnicki?s hands, the ball squirmed away to a Chertsey striker and he fired the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the Woking goal.

Woking 3 Chertsey 1.

Despite being down to 10 players the team were quickly re-shuffled to shore up defensively whilst Reis Stanislaus was called upon to work his socks off up front as a lone striker.

Despite Chertsey battling to the end ?Woking fortress? held out to the end to earn a well deserved victory and a place in the final.

MOTM: Solid performances across the board: you cannot ignore the goals from Ricardo Williams and Luke Baker; Adam Gatcum, Carlos Talbot Joe Mcnerny and Chris Dean were robust in defence; Ben Zatwrdnicki was loud and commanding in goal; Billy Hussey and Kevin Maclaren were influential in midfield whilst Pekan Samsdeen worked hard as did the subs when they came on, but for me it was the surging runs of Jamie Montgomery that caught the eye.

MOTM: Jamie Montgomery.

Squad: Ben Zatwardnicki, Adam Gatcum, Chris Dean, Carlos Talbot, Joe Mcnerny, Jamie Montgomery, Kevin Maclaren, Billy Hussey, Luke Baker, Ricardo Williams, Pekan Samsdeen.

Subs used: Jonny Targett, Matthew Powell, Reis Stanislaus.

Subs not used: Ross Worner.




Wycombe 0 Woking 2

12th March 2007

Football Conference Youth League

The u19?s ground out a sound workmanlike performance to maintain their challenge for the FCYL Southern Division title.

Goals from Sam Robinson and Nuno Gourgel were enough to repel a Wycombe side that were clearly desperate to get something out of this game, however a robust Woking team display was to earn all three points.


MOTM: David Suchy for a very solid and consistent performance in defence.


Squad: Craig Ross, David Suchy, Laith Aldoori, Maxwell Nzeadi, Sam Robinson, Grant Edgecock, Jide Ogunbote, Lewis Benson, Ross White, Nuno Gourgel, Steve Casey.

Subs used: Jordan Pearce, Sam Towe.

The u19?s next game is away to Gravesend & Northfleet in the Semi Finals of the FCYL Cup on Wednesday 14th March.