Academy Bulletin | U23s Extend League Lead

The new series of weekly academy bulletins will provide updates on all recent result and upcoming fixtures.

Last week saw the Under 19s fall to a narrow defeat against Aldershot Town, and cement their lead of the U23s Isthmian League with a 3-0 victory against Haywards Heath.

Upcoming Fixtures - W/C 30th October

Wednesday 1st November

11:00 - Hertford Town Whites U17 v Woking U17
Hertingfordbury Park

14:00 - Woking U19 v Southend United U19
Westfield FC

Friday 3rd November

19:45 Bracknell Town U18 v Woking U18
Bracknell Town FC (Bottom Meadow)

Match Reports - W/C 23rd October

25th October, National League U19 Alliance - Academy South Division
Aldershot Town 3 Woking 2; River Lane, Leatherhead

Still early in the season, but a match between the bottom two in the league table, both with a single point from their first three games.

Woking’s Academy sides usually line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, and on this occasion Aldershot matched them, with the amount of room that Aldershot’s Mark Holley was able to find in Woking’s midfield a strong early indicator on who might come out on top.

Aldershot took the lead on 14 minutes, when a foul on Toby Nelson conceded a free kick 20 yards from goal. Nelson took the kick himself, and with the aid of a rather fortunate deflection off the wall, saw his shot loop over Harry White in the Woking goal.

Aldershot continued to have the upper hand and on 44 minutes were 2-0 up. Holley, not for the first time, finding himself in lots of space, running on to a Danny-James Carter through ball, and finishing emphatically.

Half-time: Aldershot Town 2 Woking 0

Woking found a way back in to the game on 49 minutes. Ryan Scott scoring a fine individual goal. Having turned his marker his run down the left touchline seemed to be heading away from danger, but a smart turn inside and a curling, dipping shot in to the far top corner beat the, albeit diminutive, ‘keeper all ends up.

Unfortunately, Aldershot re-established their two-goal cushion within five minutes. A fine passing move between Nelson, Mather and Carter, finished from close-range by Maddox McMillan.

Whilst Woking were more competitive in the second-half, it took until 81 minutes for them to draw back to within one of their opponents. Stanley Kyle catching Morgan Elliott in possession in the penalty area and finishing neatly.

And Woking nearly had their equaliser a few minutes later, Jack Matton heading Ellis Byrne’s excellent corner narrowly wide. But Aldershot were able to see out their victory without any further major alarms.

Woking: 3-4-1-2; Harry White; Harrison Stevens, Jack Matton, Liam van der Ross; Charlie Robertson (Louis Pask 55), Ellis Byrne, Alex Rihoy, Ryan Scott (c); Aiden Payne-James (Stanley Kyle 55); Tom Dryer (Jayden Langford 71), Lewis Myrtollari (Ben Mitchell 55).

Goals: Scott 49, Kyle 81.

Aldershot: 3-4-1-2; Alex Walder; Lucas Turner (Wilf Douglas 80), Morgan Elliott, Eddie Cooper; Danny-James Carter (Krystian Komosinski 80), Milo Derham, Reece Mather (Naman Gurung 71), Maddox McMillan; Mark Holley (Kaden Hughes 71); Toby Nelson (Horatio Fowler 71), Marc Nouble.

Goals: Nelson 14, Holley 44, McMillan 53.

26th October, Pitching In Isthmian Football League – Youth West Division
Woking 3 Haywards Heath Town 0; Redding Way, Knaphill FC

With Woking top, and Haywards Heath bottom, of the league table after the early games this looked like it would be a straightforward evening for Woking, and so it was. Woking soon looked comfortable in their usual 3-4-1-2 formation, and had already threatened before they opened the scoring.

On 16 minutes Lucas Boxall took full advantage of a through ball not being dealt with and hit the top corner from the edge of the area. On 25 minutes Woking adjusted as Liam van der Ross – last season’s under 16s captain, and like a number of his colleagues playing on consecutive days – could not continue and was replaced by Charlie Sweeney.

The second goal came 5 minutes later, and this time it was Sam Brittain’s turn to hit the top corner from the edge of the area. With the Haywards Heath coach pointing out to his team that they had allowed him 20 yards of space to run through.

A scramble in Woking’s area had come and gone without really threatening a goal before Woking made it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time. An excellent run and cross from Stanley Kyle being tapped home by Liam Manby, easily evading his marker.

Half-time: Woking 3 Haywards Heath Town 0

The surprise in the second-half was that Woking did not extend their lead. Chances numbering in to double figures came and went. With the crossbar, the goalkeeper, some errant finishing, and even the offside-flag coming between Woking and the elusive fourth goal.

There was still plenty to enjoy though, Woking’s passing and movement too good for their demoralised opponents, and a highlight for me was the play of Aidy Silverstein, who was solid in defence when called upon, and demonstrated some excellent passing in bringing the ball out of defence.

An enjoyable evening with Woking confirming their position at the top of the league table.

Woking: 3-4-1-2; Bob Honey; Liam van der Ross (Charlie Sweeney 25), Harrison Stevens (c), Aidy Silverstein; Liam Manby, Tommy Seale, Lucas Boxall, Louis Pask (Tom Dryer 85); Sam Brittain (Harvey Brook 65); Stanley Kyle, Byron Mitchell.

Goals: Boxall 16, Brittain 30, Manby 45.

Haywards Heath Town: Callum McVicar, Ben Ryder, James Manns, Luke Smart (Elliot Rhys-Williams 64), Sam Quickfall, George Adlington, Frankie Osborne, Teddy Wood, Louis Keane, Liam Deere, Max Ward (Riley Cross 64).