Academy Bulletin | Week Sixteen

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 2nd December 2024

Wednesday 4th December

Woking U17 v Dorking Wanderers U17; National League Alliance – Division E

Kick-off time and venue to be confirmed

14:00 – Oxford City U19 v Woking U19; National League Academy – South Division

Oxford City FC, Court Place Farm

Thursday 5th December

19:30 – East Grinstead Town U18 v Woking U18; Isthmian Youth Football League – Central Division

East Court College Lane, East Grinstead

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

Information is also available on the fulltime.thefa.com website.



Match Reports and Team Details – Week commencing 25th November 2024

Wednesday 27th November

Woking U18 P - P Rising Ballers Kensington U18; FA Youth Cup - Second Round Proper

Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at The Community Stadium, Kingfield.



Thursday 28th November

Woking U18 3 - 0 Chipstead U18; Isthmian Youth Football League – Central Division

Knaphill FC, Redding Way

The first years are getting stronger as a team in this league, and this solid performance now puts them top of the standings as we head towards the mid-season point, although their rivals in the top half of the table will see their games-in-hand as opportunities to regain the lead.

Woking did have the majority of attacking opportunities throughout, but could have got off to a bad start if Chipstead had not put a half-chance wide in the second minute. Will Ledbury, Hayden Vally, Callum Mathieson and Joe Frawley had all brought saves out of the Chipstead ‘keeper before Woking were given a reminder of the need to concentrate on 26 minutes with Aaron Zziwa called on to make a good save.

Jack Tricker’s shot to the top corner was tipped over and Frankie Bushby was frustrated by a diving save, before a great Woking move earned them the lead on 38 minutes. Joe Frawley played the ball nicely down the line to Vally, and his excellent wing play and cross was met by Mathieson moving smartly away from his marker and tucking the ball neatly in to the bottom corner from 8 yards.

Woking doubled their lead within 5 minutes. Tricker and Amario Malhotra exchanged passes and Tricker drew a double save before Vally was able to bundle in the rebound from a couple of yards, receiving a whack in the face for his troubles.

Woking had got to grips well with a physically strong and apparently older opponent, and established their lead with skilful play, going to the break two goals to the good.

Half-time: Woking 2 – 0 Chipstead

Woking had the better of the second-half, and controlled proceedings well. Although, as in the first-half they did have to survive an early Chipstead chance, Thomas Ward reading the play well and making a telling interception.

Woking did have to make a change to their goalkeeper as a minor injury saw Zziwa replaced by Jools Lacey, but the confident deputy meant the Cards continued with a solid last line of defence.

Much of Woking’s good play involved Mathieson, and it was he who sealed the victory with Woking’s third goal in the 68th minute. Substitute Bruno Dackombe pulled the ball back to Tricker and his ball in was met with a neat finish across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner. From this point the game was played out without any further significant action as Woking consolidated their victory.

With a number of players unavailable as they prepared for the following evening’s FA Youth Cup fixture, this was a very good performance and one which bodes well as the season goes forward.

Woking: Aaron Zziwa (Jools Lacey 64), Thomas Ward (Kai Baverstock 81), Ollie Rigby, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Amario Malhotra, Jack Tricker, Will Ledbury, Frankie Bushby (Bruno Dackombe 62), Joe Frawley (Pranish Gurang 81), Callum Mathieson, Hayden Vally (Jojo Ampah 69).

Goals: Mathieson 38, 68, Vally 42.

Referee: Paz Morreale.



Friday 29th November

Woking U18 3 - 2 Rising Ballers Kensington U18; FA Youth Cup - Second Round Proper

Sandhurst FC, Bottom Meadow

Following the postponement of the game on Wednesday, Sandhurst stepped in to host the rearranged fixture. This was another dramatic night of FA Youth Cup action, which was to be decided with the penultimate kick of the match.

Woking made one change to the team that had won through the previous round at Bromley, with Seyi Akinwalere rewarded for his stunning extra-time winner with a place in the starting line-up, and Roshan Kigozi moving to the substitutes bench. Jack Lewis, who would have an excellent game, continued on the right-side of a back four, allowing Louis Pask to get forward to even greater effect.

RB Kensington started well and established a lead after just 2 minutes. Mekhi Savage clipping a great ball in behind Woking’s back line, and George Brooke running through to drill the ball into the bottom corner. RB were then nearly two to the good, Mikey Verga saving well from Chester Isaacs.

On 15 minutes Pask drew a good save from Kyle Defraine, after Lewis had won the ball, and a minute later Pask had the equaliser. Following some excellent wing play from Akinwalere, Lucas Boxall had two shots parried, and Pask’s courage and determination allowed him to get to the rebound first and knock the ball home from close range.

Woking had now settled well, and were to have the upper-hand as the half progressed, although there was still the concern that a defensive error could prove costly. The Cards midfield were working effectively, and their forward line causing problems for the RB defence.

As the half drew to a close a good covering challenge from Tommy Seale ensured that the scores would be level at half-time.

Half-time: Woking 1 – 1 RB Kensington

Within five minutes of the restart Woking had the lead. Boxall’s ball in following a corner was not cleared and Jalil Page, who had been dangerous throughout, was in the right place to get a telling touch towards goal, although he may be hard pushed to claim the goal as his as a final touch off an unfortunate defender redirected the ball over the line.

Woking now looked the more likely to score the next goal, and Page may have done so on 65 minutes if he had run in on goal with conviction, rather than being concerned about an offside flag which was not forthcoming. Dillan Davies and Jacob Farr did have to make good defensive covering challenges, but it looked like Woking would be more dangerous on the counter-attack as RB pressed forward for an equaliser.

Pask was frustrated on 78 minutes, after his fine interception gave him a chance to run through on goal, but a moments’ hesitation saw the chance gone. However, this would not be his lasting, telling memory of the game.

It looked like Woking were seeing out the victory until RB won a corner in the 88th minute. A fine delivery in to the heart of the six-yard box was met with a great flick-header from Abiodun Onasoga which flew in to the net. The RB coaches sought to calm their players by telling them they did not have to win the game in normal time, but the final, decisive blow came at the other end.

With four minutes of added time already played, and things looking very much like Woking would play extra-time once again in this cup run, the Cards won a throw in on the left wing. RB challenged well but the ball fell to Boxall on the corner of the penalty area, and his cross in was met by the ever-determined Pask, who once again got the decisive touch from a few yards out.

There was just time for RB to kick-off again, but the ball went straight out of play, and the final whistle began the Woking celebrations. A time for the Cards to enjoy, before thoughts turn to the Third- Round game, away to Stoke City, to be played at St George’s Park. Woking’s last visit to the Third-Round having been at Brighton four years ago.

Woking: Mikey Verga, Jack Lewis, Harrison Stevens, Dillan Davies, Jacob Farr ©, Louis Pask, Leo Christophers, Tommy Seale, Seyi Akinwalere, Lucas Boxall (Aidy Silverstein 90+5), Jalil Page. Unused subs: James Orton, Harry White (GK), Stanley Kyle, Roshan Kigozi, Louie Boyle, JJ Young.

Goals: Pask 16, 90+4, Page 49.

RB Kensington: Kyle Defraine, Brandon Barrace (c), Mohamed Hechacheno, Ryan Kelly, Blesson Asekoienoa, Bryce Gough, Steven Scott, Luca Hughes, Chester Isaacs, Mekhi Savage, George Brooke. Subs: Andrew Dzonton, Alexander Edwards, Anayo Etumnu, Chuba Nwoka, Abiodun Onasoga, Solomon Tabase, Tobe Udeoeba.

Goals: Brooke 2, Onasoga 88.

Attendance: 83.



Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:

Tuesday 26th November

Harry White, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Sandhurst Town: Played the full game in the 1 – 7 defeat at Cobham in the Combined Counties League - Premier Division South. Despite the scoreline, Harry continued his good form, and was credited as ‘Man of the Match’ for preventing a score that could have run in to double-figures.

Saturday 30th November

Lui Edwards, Forward, 4th year – Westfield: Played the first 66 minutes of the 1 – 2 defeat at Badshot Lea in the Isthmian League - South Central Division.

Henry McDonald, Centre Midfield, 3rd year - Petersfield Town: Was an unused substitute for the 3 – 2 victory over Bexhill United in the Southern Combination - Premier Division.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: No fixture this weekend.

Harry White, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Sandhurst Town: Played the full game in the 0 – 1 defeat at AFC Whyteleafe in the Combined Counties League - Premier Division South.