Academy Bulletin | Winning week for Cards

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 12th February 2024

Tuesday 13th February

14:00 – Chatham U17 v Woking U17, National League Alliance – Division E

Bauvill Stadium, Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Chatham

Wednesday 14th February

14:00 – Woking U19 v Dorking Wanderers U19, National League Alliance – Academy South

Westfield FC, Woking Park – or, if waterlogged then, Woking College, Rydens Way

Thursday 15th February

19:30 – Woking U18 v Badshot Lea Colts U18, Midweek Floodlit County Cup, Second Round

Knaphill FC, Redding Way

Friday 16th February

11:30 – Woking U19 v Oxford City U19, National League Alliance – Academy South

Woking College, Rydens Way

For up-to-date information on fixtures refer to the Woking Football Club Academy twitter page.



Match Reports – Week commencing 5th February

Tuesday 6th February, Corinthian Casuals First 0 - 2 Woking FC

Surrey Senior Cup, Third Round; King George’s Recreation Ground, Tolworth

As this fixture clashed with the National League game against Oxford City, the Academy represented the club for this fixture, with Sam Habergham from the first team squad joining them.

Although Corinthian Casuals are struggling at the bottom of the Isthmian South Central Division, and made a number of changes from their line-up the previous Saturday, this is still a result which is of great credit to all at the Academy.

On a wet and windy evening Casuals had their chances, and will have felt they were on top at certain times in the game, but the decisive moments came from Woking.

Casuals started well, with Antonio Dembele, Ayo Majekodunmi and Ashley Koroma causing problems, and Harry White called upon to be diligent in his work in the Woking goal. Casuals would have been feeling positive as the half-time break approached, but on 38 minutes Woking had the lead. Casuals were too casual in their play on the edge of the area, and Lui Edwards clinically took the ball and placed it in the bottom corner.

Half-time: Corinthian Casuals 0 – 1 Woking

After 6 minutes in the second-half, a possible game-changing moment, as Ollie Mason’s sliding challenge saw Oscar Walton tumbling to the ground, and what many felt was a harsh sending off for Woking’s holding midfielder. Woking adjusted a few minutes later with Ethan Gold replacing Alex Rihoy.

But when Casuals might have been expected to get back in to the game, it was Woking who scored to extend their lead on 61 minutes. Ben Mitchell broke down the right, and his low cross was controlled by Edwards, and slotted home from close range for both his and Woking’s second of the evening.

Woking did come under some pressure, and Jack Matton was cautioned for a foul on 73 minutes, but numbers were evened up on 75 minutes. Jamie Hilton went down under a challenge, and the referee felt it was strong enough for Shea Cascoe-Rogers to pick up his second caution of the game.

Edwards nearly had his hat-trick on 77 minutes, but his shot only found the side-netting. There were further chances, but both goalkeepers were equal to all that came their way.

So, a successful evening for the Cards, who look forward to the quarter final.

Woking: Harry White; Ryan Scott ©, Tom Gardner, Jack Matton, Sam Habergham; Jamie Hilton, Ollie Mason, Alex Rihoy (Ethan Gold 55); Ben Mitchell, Lui Edwards (Tom Dryer 80), Aiden Payne-James (Harry Newbould 86). Unused subs: Bob Honey (GK), Lewis Myrtollari.

Goals: Edwards 38, 61.

Corinthian Casuals: David Wloch, Aaron Clarke, Ayo Majekodumni ©, Ashley Koroma (Thibault Abie 64), Declan Kama, Oscar Walton, Jaedon Reynolds, Adam Pollock, Charles Hagan (Melford Simpson 64), Shea Cascoe-Rogers, Antonio Dembele. Unused subs: Daniel O’Donovan (GK), Kraig McLeod.

Referee: Patrick Nixon.

Man of the Match: The difference between the sides, with two well-taken goals, Lui Edwards.



Wednesday 7th February, Welling United U19 P - P Woking U19

National League Alliance – Academy South; Goals, Eltham

Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.



Friday 9th February, Woking U19 2 - 1 Welling United U19

National League Alliance – Academy South; Woking College, Rydens Way

Following their Surrey Senior Cup success, the focus returned to the league. Woking have struggled to find their feet this season and came in to this game bottom of the table with 4 draws and 4 defeats from 8 games. Third place Welling’s reaction towards the end of the game certainly suggested that they were not expecting Woking to find their feet so well.

The changes from the Carshalton game saw Lewis Mouland take his place in goal, Jayden Wynter come in for Sam Habergham at left-back, and Tom Dryer and Sam Brittain start in the stead of Ben Mitchell and Aiden Payne-James in the attack.

Welling were certainly strong opposition, and Morgan Antonio and Oehosa Williams led the testing of Woking’s resilience well. But it was certainly not one-way traffic - Tom Dryer in particular a thorn in Welling’s side.

Woking were forced in to a change after 19 minutes, Jamie Hilton struggling with a knock he had picked up in a challenge, and being replaced by Harry Newbould.

The half-hour mark seemed to signal an increase in Welling’s pressing game, and even a Woking free-kick resulted in Ryan Scott having to cover 50 yards to get in a telling block on Williams’ breakaway run.

Woking responded well, Brittain and Dryer switched wings and Dryer running in the inside-left channel forced a good save from Archie Aldous. With the game opening up Tom Gardner was called upon to make a very good shot blocking challenge, and Williams missed the target by the narrowest of margins stretching to touch home Morgan’s cross.

Woking took the lead on 42 minutes, great play from Ollie Mason winning the ball and feeding Dryer, and this time his cut in from the left channel gave him the space to hit a fine shot in to the bottom corner.

Woking could have had a second before half-time, Jack Matton and Alex Rihoy both calling Aldous in to action. The goal certainly seemed to upset Welling, and one of their coaching staff received a caution for his protests to the referee about some of his decisions as they walked off for the half-time break.

Half-time: Woking 1 – 0 Welling United

With Jack Matton available to Binfield for their fixture the following day (although it was to be postponed), he was replaced at half-time by Ethan Gold, who took his place alongside Tom Gardner.

As might be expected, Welling pressed hard for their equaliser, and stretched Woking well, and with a better reading of Woking’s defensive line may well have scored before the 70th minute. But this time they stayed onside and Morgan took his chance well, calmly lifting the ball beyond Mouland.

On 75 minutes Tom Gardner was cautioned for a challenge on the edge of the area which Welling thought merited a sending-off, although there was defensive cover. This, and Welling’s protests, was to herald a very dramatic final 20 minutes of play.

Morgan was very much at the centre of things, first hitting the free-kick that resulted from Gardner’s challenge narrowly wide, and then forcing a good save from Mouland. However, his passion to succeed was to get the better of him as the game reached its crucial moment, shortly after Williams had hit the outside of the post.

On 87 minutes Woking counter-attacked decisively. A passing move from back to front released Scott on a run through the opposition half, before playing a one-two with Dryer, now back on the right side of the attack, whose pull back was driven home by Scott from 15 yards. Unfortunately for Morgan he couldn’t contain his disappointment and was cautioned, presumably for complaining about the length of Woking’s goal celebrations.

On 90 minutes Ben Mitchell was booked for a foul on Morgan, but Morgan’s reaction earnt him his second caution in four minutes.

Welling pressed for an equaliser but saw a free kick well cleared by Dryer, aware of his defensive responsibilities.

Ben Mitchell’s willingness to run forwards was taking Woking up the pitch well, and led to matters really reaching boiling point on 90+3 minutes. His fall in the box was no different to Williams earlier in the game, but was the final straw for Micquelle Murray, who should have had no complaints when dismissed for having his hands on Mitchell’s face and neck, but whose language towards the referee as he left the field of play will certainly make interesting reading in the referee’s report. Unusual to hear an official called a female dog.

The referee sought to calm things down by talking to both captains, but there was still time for Charlie Connell (Welling’s captain) to be booked for a foul challenge. And for Williams to be cautioned for a foul on Payne-James as his, and Welling’s, match drew to a frustrating close.

Woking’s team play through the third’s has noticeably improved, and their courage against a very passionate opponent was most merit worthy. They will hope to build on their first league win of the season and will be encouraged that this win takes them off the bottom of the table. Finishing with nine players may cause Welling to reflect on their approach, especially when things are not going their way.

Woking: Lewis Mouland; Ryan Scott ©, Tom Gardner, Jack Matton (Ethan Gold 46), Jayden Wynter; Alex Rihoy, Ollie Mason, Jamie Hilton (Harry Newbould 19); Tom Dryer, Lui Edwards (Ben Mitchell 64), Sam Brittain (Aiden Payne-James 72): Unused sub: Stanley Kyle.

Goals: Dryer 42, Scott 87.

Welling United: Archie Aldous; Habib Bolarinwa, Micquelle Murray, Donald McCauley; Olesegun Akinwunmi (Matthiew Kiro 55), Archie Gumbrell, Charlie Connell ©, Antonio Morgan; Deandre Williams, Kelvin Hernandez (Donna Ogbuagu 79), Oehosa Williams. Unused subs: Jamie Raggett, Freddie Baker.

Goal: Morgan 70.

Man of the Match: Tom Gardner and Jack Matton/Ethan Gold covering each other very well was the foundation to this win. But Tom Dryer, happy on either side of the attack, with his well taken goal, his contribution to Scott’s winner, and his understanding of, and willingness to carry out, defensive duties, make him my man of the match.

Welling United U23 P - P Woking U23, Suburban Football League – Premier Division

Holmesdale Football Club, Bromley

Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.


Loan watch:

Saturday 10th February.

Owen Crawford, Goalkeeper, 3rd year – Camberley Town: Played the full game of the 2-1 defeat at Tooting & Mitcham.

Jack Matton, Centre Back, 2nd year – Binfield: No match (postponed).

Jamie Hilton, Centre Midfield, 3rd year - Guildford City: No match (postponed).

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year - Guildford City: No match (postponed).

Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 2nd year – Ascot United: Made his debut coming on as a substitute in the closing minutes of Ascot’s 1- 0 victory over Chipstead.

Lui Edwards, Forward, 3rd year – Banstead Athletic: No match (postponed).

Aiden Payne-James. Forward, 2nd year – Sevenoaks Town: Was an unused substitute as Sevenoaks defeated Lancing 4 – 2.