Academy Bulletin | Eventful End to the Year

Upcoming Fixtures in January 2024
Monday 8th January
19.45 - Leatherhead U18 v Woking U18, Isthmian Youth League Cup, Quarter-Final
River Lane, Leatherhead

Wednesday 10th January
14.00 - Woking U19 v Oxford City U19, National League U19 Alliance – Academy South Division
Westfield FC, Woking Park

Thursday 11th January
19.30 - Woking U23 v Flackwell Heath U23, Michael Bidmead Challenge (League) Cup, 1st Round
Knaphill FC, Redding Way

Match Report: Week commencing 18th December
21st December, Woking U18 4 - 3 Bedfont Sports U18
Isthmian Football League, Youth West Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way

With Camberley having won at Uxbridge on Monday evening this was a game Woking needed to win to maintain their lead at the top of the league table. As Bedfont themselves were not out of the title picture, and Woking had lost their previous two home games, a difficult game looked likely.

The early exchanges suggested that this game would not match Woking’s 7-4 victory at Bedfont earlier in the season, but there was much drama to follow. Starting with a back four, Woking took the game to Bedfont, and it looked like it may be a more straightforward evening after all.

Woking had the upper hand, with Tom Dryer on the left-wing particularly troubling his opponents. It took until the 26th minute for Woking to establish a lead, an excellent cross in from Liam Manby on the right headed past Leo Davis from six yards by Byron Mitchell.

Bedfont were calling Mikey Verga in the Woking goal (in place of the injured Harry White) in to action, but were not keeping the ball as much as their coach would have liked, and escaped being 2-0 down when Byron Mitchell looked up from tapping home from close range to see the linesman’s flag already up for offside.

However, Bedfont were coming back into the game, on 37 minutes Verga was forced in to a good save, and on 43 minutes Woking escaped a goalmouth scramble with Jake Hewitt not able to get a clear shot and only hitting the side netting.

Woking were further disrupted by centre-back Aidy Silverstein needing to be replaced as his right knee troubled him, and the switch to a back three unfortunately didn’t see Woking through to half-time. Kieran Collins took advantage of Woking’s enforced change, a fine individual goal, dribbling through the defence before his firm low shot from 15 yards gave Verga no chance.

Half-time: Woking 1 - 1 Bedfont Sports

Woking reorganised at half-time, reverting to a back four, but Bedfont had the lead before Woking could settle. A scrappy goal, with Oscar Kruczkiewicz able to tap into an open goal from six yards.

But Woking were soon gaining good momentum, Ellis Byrne shooting over after excellent build-up play from Manby and Mitchell, and Alvaro Picon getting forward well from right full-back.

On 66 minutes the equaliser came, a defence splitting pass from Tommy Seale finding Tom Dryer who finished with aplomb, firing the ball across Davis in to the far corner.

A minute later Seale was booked, although he himself was not sure why, but Woking looked to have the upper-hand as the game progressed, until what looked like it might be the decisive goal on 80 minutes. Woking did not challenge strongly enough to stop a Bedfont move, and Jude Jakes McKay, from an angle that looked to be against him, struck a great shot in to the top corner from the edge of the area.

Woking responded by bringing on Harvey Brook, and there was still time for him to strike what proved to be the decisive blow. Bedfont looked to be seeing the game out until, on 88 minutes, a fine individual goal from Dryer, cutting across the edge of the area and hitting the bottom corner.

Seale now found himself sent-off for what the referee considered to be a second bookable offence, but Woking continued to press for a winner, although it looked like the chance may have gone when Brook shot over on 90 minutes.

In the third minute of added time Woking had the winning goal. Dryer’s shot was blocked and the rebound fell to Brook, who gleefully guided the ball home. There was still time for a nervous scramble in the Woking box but the Cards saw out the victory.

The joy of the victory, under demanding circumstances, was a fitting end to Scott Harrison’s eight years as Academy manager, and we wish him all the best as he takes up his new role at Wimbledon in the new year.

Woking: Mikey Verga; Liam Manby, Harrison Wood, Aidy Silverstein (Alvaro Picon 44), Jacob Farr; Louis Pask, Tommy Seale, Ellis Byrne ©, Tom Dryer; Lucas Boxall (Harvey Brook 81), Byron Mitchell (Jack Bashford 72). Unused sub: Bob Honey (GK).

Goals: Mitchell 26, Dryer 66, 88, Brook 90+3.

Bedfont Sports: Leo Davis, Jake Hewitt, Kieran Collins, Archie Gower, Aryan Soni, Dan Mackinney, Niall O’Shea, Jude Jakes McKay, Jake Beck-Nardoni, Oscar Kruczkiewicz, Rewan Alyasi. Subs: Joe Wells, Callahan Keadell, Emon Masoudy.

Goals: Collins 45+3, Kruczkiewicz 50, Jude Jakes McKay 80.