Academy Bulletin | Draws and Postponements

Academy Bulletin as of 22nd January 2024

U17S HOLD UNBEATEN LEAGUE LEADERS

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 22nd January 2024

Monday 22nd January

19:45 – Badshot Lea Colts U18 v Woking U18, Surrey Youth Midweek County Cup, 2nd Round

Badshot Lea FC

Thursday 25th January

19:30 – Woking U23 v Harrow Borough U23, Suburban Football League – Premier Division

Knaphill FC, Redding Way



Match Reports – Week commencing Monday 15th January

Wednesday 17th January, Woking U17 2 - 2 v Barking U17

National League Alliance – Division E; Woking College, Rydens Way

Woking welcomed a Barking team who were unbeaten, with 8 wins from 9, on a bitterly cold

morning at Woking College. This was indeed a strong Barking side, and Woking deserve much credit for a steadfast performance.

Whilst Barking were taking the game to Woking in the early exchanges, they could not make their pressure count, and Woking weren’t without half-chances of their own, with Harvey Brook and Roshaun Cooper both causing defenders problems with their movement.

On 24 minutes Armani Church missed a very presentable chance to put Barking ahead, heading wide when well placed to meet Henry Hart’s cross. But Woking were getting a foothold in the game, Charlie Sweeney and Tommy Seale blocking the central midfield supply line to Barking playmaker Kien Connolly, and Ben Smith and George Elston backing them up as a strong centre-back partnership.

On 39 minutes Woking had the lead, Tommy Seale’s inswinging corner being met by Jayden Smith about 5-yards out in the centre of the goal, not the cleanest strike ever, but enough to guide the ball home. Woking had stayed in the game well and earnt their half-time lead.



Half-time: Woking U17 1 – 0 Barking U17



Whilst Woking returned to the warmth of the changing rooms, Barking stayed out to discuss what happened to the marking on the goal, and to plan their changes for the second-half. Church moved to left-wing-back as Barking changed to a back three, and came out with greatly renewed purpose.

Woking too had made changes, with positional adjustments for Smith and Harvey Brook, and Byron Mitchell coming on to lead the attack.

Mitchell made an immediate impression and shot narrowly over from the edge of the area within two minutes of the re-start. But two minutes later Barking were level, a combination of good pressing and Woking being a little hesitant in clearing their lines resulted in Hart poking the ball into the net from eleven yards.

Woking responded well, and whilst Louie Sullivan did have to make a very good save from Joseph Babatunde, Sweeney and Seale both had chances before Woking took the lead on 70 minutes. Smith and Mitchell combining very well on the left-side of the attack to set up Seale for a neat finish, tucking the ball across Alfie Fitzearle into the bottom corner.

The lead was to last just one minute. Woking failing to clear and Babatunde, turning on the penalty spot, finished neatly. As the game went end-to-end Barking came closest to finding a winner, but the referee’s assistant was well-positioned to rule that the ball had not crossed the line following a corner. A well-deserved draw for Woking against the league leaders.



Woking: Louie Sullivan; Alvaro Picon, Ben Smith, George Elston, Sean Bull; Jayden Smith, Tommy Seale ©, Charlie Sweeney (Harrison Wood 78), James Orton (Byron Mitchell 46); Roshaun Cooper, Harvey Brook (Jack Bashford 84). Unused Subs: Mikey Verga (GK), Saadiq Kerr.

Goals: Smith 39, Seale 70.

Barking: Alfie Fitzearle; Henry Hart, Micah Manangu, Charlie Thomson, Jimi Feeley (Joseph Babatunde 46); Brian Nelson, Kien Conolly ©, Austin Smart (Reece McGovern 80); Diego Makesa (Kimani Kitoko 53), Armani Church, Taylor Jacobi (Somfechi Ukonu 71).

Goals: Hart 49, Babatunde 71.



Eastleigh U19 1 - 1 Woking U19, National League U19 Alliance – Academy South Division

Ganger Farm Sports Park, Eastleigh

A notable point earnt at second in the league Eastleigh. The U19s fell agonisingly close to their first win of the season, conceding in added time to only take a point. Woking’s first-half goal scored by Ben Mitchell, finishing neatly across the ‘keeper after being played in down the right-hand side by Lui Edwards. Eastleigh were the beneficiaries of a goalmouth scramble that could have gone anywhere before it was tapped in.

Woking: Lewis Mouland, Ryan Scott ©, Tom Gardner, Jack Matton, Sam Wright, Ollie Mason, Alex Rihoy, Jamie Hilton, Ben Mitchell, Lui Edwards, Aiden Payne-James. Subs: Harry White (GK), Charlie Robertson, Keion Vassell, Harry Newbould, Lewis Mytollari.

Goal: Mitchell.



Thursday 18th January, Badshot Lea Colts U18 P v P Woking U18

Surrey Youth Midweek County Cup, 2nd Round, Badshot Lea FC

Postponed and rearranged for Monday 22nd January.



Saturday 20th January, Hartley Wintney U23 P v P Woking U23

Suburban Football League – Premier Division, Hartley Wintney Memorial Ground, Green Lane

Postponed and rearranged for Saturday 24th February.