Academy Bulletin | Title decider for U18s

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 22nd April 2024

Monday 22nd April

19:45: Camberley Town U18 v Woking U18; Isthmian Football League – Youth West Division

Krooner Park, Camberley

Following Camberley’s 3 – 0 victory against Bedfont Sports last Thursday week this game becomes a league title decider. Woking need a draw to become champions.

Wednesday 24th April

14:00 – Woking U19 v Boreham Wood U19; National League Alliance – Academy South

Westfield FC, Woking Park

14:00 – Boreham Wood U17 v Woking U17; National League Alliance – Division E

Boreham Wood FC, Meadow Park, Broughinge Road

Thursday 25th April

19:30 – Woking U23 v Dunstable U23; Suburban Football League – Premier Division

Knaphill FC, Redding Way

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



Match Reports – Week commencing 15th April

Wednesday 17th April

Woking U17 3 - 1 Maidenhead United U17; National League Alliance – Division E

Woking College, Rydens Way

This was not one of the under 17’s best performances, against the team bottom of the table, but the Cards persevered and sealed the win with a late goal.

In a quiet opening Harvey Brook did force a good save from Joshua Wright, and at the other end Fabio Ibrahim shot narrowly over, but we were half way through the half before the first meaningful action.

Shortly after Bruno Dackombe had nearly set up Byron Mitchell, who couldn’t quite reach his cross, Dackombe was on hand to make the most of Maidenhead failing to clear a goalmouth scramble, and knocked the ball home neatly, giving Woking the lead on 26 minutes.

Woking doubled their lead three minutes later, good work on the left wing from Jayden Smith culminating in a cross to Saadiq Bangura-Kerr who drove the ball home well from 15 yards.

It could have been three five minutes later, a great through ball from JJ Young setting up Brook who saw his shot saved. It looked like Woking were in control, but Maidenhead had one back on 37 minutes. Dom Wall had Ibrahim’s shot covered until it deflected off George Elston’s back and spun in to the net.

Encouraged, Maidenhead created chances to equalise, Ibrahim shooting over, and Archie Etherington bringing the ball forward from the back, and without a stopping challenge was also able to get a shot away, but again the ball went over the bar.

Mitchell had a shot saved for Woking, but the Cards had lost their way a little, Charlie Sweeney having to cover well at the back, and a goalmouth scramble coming to nothing as the half drew to a close.

Half-time: Woking 2 – 1 Maidenhead United

Mindful of the workload on the players at the moment, Jack Bashford replaced Brook for the second half. Bangura-Kerr and Smith swapped flanks to offer some variety to Woking’s play, and a somewhat scrappy affair was not without chances.

On 50 minutes Ibrahim shot over from an under-hit Woking clearance, and on 73 minutes another great Young pass released Mitchell in to the penalty area, but his shot was wide when a cross to on- running teammates may have been the better option.

Woking had further chances, but it was not all one-way traffic, a strong Rylan Withers shot forcing a good save from Wall. The danger of an equaliser evident.

Woking pressed on, Wright tipping a Dackombe free-kick over the bar, and Bashford nearly getting on the end of a Mitchell cross, whilst Mitchell himself was close to getting a flick on a pass as Wright closed him down.

The clincher came on 90 + 1 minutes, Young once again playing a fine through ball, and Bashford finishing well with a low driven shot. Although there was still time for Max Goldsworthy to get a good clearing header on a late Maidenhead corner.

With one game to go Woking under 17s are in a solid mid-table position, the sides above them usually playing older players in a league that is part of the National League Under 19 Alliance.

Woking: Dom Wall, George Elston, Ben Smith, Charlie Sweeney (Max Goldsworthy 55); JayJay Young (c), Saadiq Bangura-Kerr, Bruno Dackombe, Roshaun Cooper (Fynn Lawrence 70), Jayden Smith; Harvey Brook (Jack Bashford 46), Byron Mitchell: Unused subs: Dylan Hawkins, Jiyah Kapotwe.

Goals: Dackombe 26, Bangura-Kerr 29, Bashford 90 + 1.

Maidenhead United: Joshua Wright, Daniel Hockley, Logan Newark, Marley Subhan, James Dunbar Newman; Luke Robinson (Morris Allard 46), Archie Etherington, Nathan Long; Rylan Withers, Fabio Ibrahim (Charlie Doran 63), Joshua Kimpiob (Harry Harper 55): Unused sub: Joel Ellis.

Goal: Ibrahim 37.



Dartford U19 1 - 3 Woking U19

National League Alliance – Academy South; Princes Park Stadium, Dartford FC

An excellent performance and win as the under 19s more than matched this season’s Academy South League Champions. A performance that shows what this group of players is capable of.

Woking took the lead through a Lui Edwards header from an Alex Rihoy corner.

Half-time: Dartford 0 – 1 Woking

Woking’s second came with Lui Edwards finishing a cut back from Ben Mitchell after a quick counter-attack following a Harry White save.

Jamie Hilton put Woking three up firing high into the net at the front post after running on to a through ball from Tom Dryer.

Dartford’s goal came when a late run in to the box created a 1v1 which White couldn’t quite keep out.

Woking: Harry White, Charlie Robertson, Tom Gardner (Bradley Murphy 80), Aidy Silverstein, Ethan Gold, Ollie Mason (c), Alex Rihoy, Jamie Hilton (Ellis Byrne 70), Ben Mitchell, Lui Edwards, Tom Dryer. Unused subs: Lewis Mouland (GK), Keion Vassell.

Goals: Edwards (2), Hilton.



Thursday 18th April

Woking U23 2 - 2 St Albans City U23; Suburban Football League – Premier Division

Knaphill FC, Redding Way

This was to be a hard mid-table game, a display of form and character from a young side, with the benefit of keeping the first years ticking over in preparation for their Isthmian Youth West Division title decider against Camberley on Monday. The youngsters joined by Physiotherapist Chris McCormick and coach Owen Sims.

Whilst Woking were passing the ball well, they could not get on top of their opponents and gain control of midfield, and it was to be a strong finish to the first-half from St Albans.

Woking had already survived one scramble in their goalmouth when they fell behind on 43 minutes. A good cross to the far post by Alp Agirbay met by a solid Joe Beardon header in to the top corner beyond the reach of Mikey Verga.

Half-time: Woking 0 – 1 St Albans City

With the introduction of Henry McDonald Woking started the half well, with Harvey Brook to the fore, but Alex Penn found it too easy to dribble through the Woking defence and place his firm shot in the bottom corner, to put Woking 0 – 2 down after 48 minutes.

Woking had one back six minutes later, McDonald won a free-kick 20 yards out and took it himself, placing a fine shot in to the bottom corner, beating Josh Dunton on his side of the wall.

St Albans responded well, putting Woking under further pressure, and Woking survived another goalmouth scramble.

On 69 minutes Woking made a quadruple substitution, and the reinvigorated Cards reaped the rewards immediately. Saadiq Bangura-Kerr found overlapping right full-back Owen Sims and his fine low cross was driven home by Brook, showing excellent movement to get across his defender.

Brook continued to lead the search for a winner, and there was some discussion as to whether he may have won a penalty if he had gone down when one particularly good run in to the box was challenged, although a cross to Matt Farrelly may also have brought a goal.

Woking also had to defend well to see out the draw, a Verga save in the 89th minute good insurance in case the offside flag was not forthcoming.

These young cards now look forward to their game at Camberley on Monday evening.

Woking: Mikey Verga, Chris McCormick, Harrison Stevens (Owen Sims 69), Aidy Silverstein, Alvaro Picon; Tommy Seale, Harvey Brook, Ellis Byrne (c) (Henry McDonald 46), Lucas Boxall (Saadiq Bangura-Kerr 69), Sam Brittain (Keion Vassell 69), Stanley Kyle (Matt Farrelly 69). Unused sub: Harry White (GK).

Goals: McDonald 54, Brook 70.

St Albans City: Josh Dunton, Aidan Walsh (Ben Cook 67), James Beasley, Kye Scott, Ollie Siggers (Dylan Joyce 55); Aaron Austin (c), Alfie Bigg, Joe Beardon, Nick Ralfe, Alex Penn (Charlie Fitzsimons 64), Alp Agirbay. Unused sub: Fatjon Uke.

Goals: Beardon 43, Penn 48.

Referee: Jarnail Singh.



Friday 19th April

Woking U19 3 - 5 Southend United U19; National League Alliance – Academy South

Woking College, Rydens Way

Woking dominated the early stages, Lui Edwards narrowly missing two chances when put in on goal by first, Charlie Robertson, and then Ben Mitchell. Mitchell then set up Sam Brittain for a shot in to the side-netting, before Tom Dryer charged down a Jake Huet clearance and slotted it past Luke Cerullo to give Woking the lead on 23 minutes.

Southend equalised quickly through an Ethan Gold own goal, but Woking were back in the lead on 26 minutes, this time Dryer showing particular individual brilliance, dribbling through the opposition defence before rounding the ‘keeper and slotting home.

Woking were on top and putting balls regularly into Southend’s box, their movement giving the Blues defence all kinds of trouble, and Brittain nearly finished a fine passing move. Although Ronnie Blake did hit the crossbar at the other end.

On 40 minutes Edwards applied the finishing touch to a well-worked move when Mitchell squared the ball to him. Harry White ensured the 3 – 1 lead at half-time, smothering George Pulham’s effort before he could finish.

Half-time: Woking 3 – 1 Southend United

After a good first-half Woking found that their levels dropped, with game management and decision making not as good as they could be in the second-half. Whether the players could have dug deeper, or whether the number of games they have played recently meant those reserves of energy weren’t there, Southend were to win the half and the game.

A great save from White, and then a goal-line block from Ethan Gold kept the lead at 3 – 1, but Southend had their second on 60 minutes, a passing move finished by Mikey Faulkner with a curling shot from 20 yards in to the top corner.



Again, White with the save, and this time Alex Rihoy with the goal-line clearance kept Southend out, but the Blues were now dominant and they had their equaliser on 72 minutes. Tom Gardner bringing down Jack Stone, who converted the penalty himself.



Southend took the lead 3 minutes later, White not holding Tyrese Sibanda’s shot and Obi Okafor turning home from close range. Dryer nearly found an equaliser on 85 minutes, Cerullo diverting the chance wide, but it was Southend who clinched their victory on 88 minutes. Piers Hatcliff’s skidding shot from distance finding its way past White and in to the net.

Woking: Harry White, Charlie Robertson, Tom Gardner, Ethan Gold, Bradley Murphy, Jamie Hilton (Lucas Boxall 65), Ben Mitchell (Stanley Kyle 65), Alex Rihoy, Lui Edwards, Sam Brittain, Tom Dryer. Unused subs: Keion Vassell, Harrison Stevens.

Goals: Dryer 23, 26, Edwards 40.

Southend United: Luke Cerullo, Jake Huet (c), Shobowale, Aidon Shehu, Thato Molefi, Ellis Lawson (Piers Hatcliff 70), George Pulham, Tyrese Sibanda (Joshua Jackson 90 + 1), Obi Okafor (Louis Bragg 90 + 1), Mikey Faulkner, Ronnie Blake (Jack Stone 70). Unused sub: Brown.

Goals: Gold o.g. 25, Faulkner 60, Stone 72 (pen), Okafor 75, Hatcliff 88.



Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:

Saturday 20th April

Aiden Payne-James. Forward, 2nd year – Sevenoaks Town: Did not play in 2 – 1 defeat at Three Bridges.

Owen Crawford, Goalkeeper, 3rd year – Camberley Town: Played full game in 0 – 0 against Balham.

Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 2nd year – Ascot United: Played 58 minutes of 0 – 2 defeat against Metropolitan Police, and was cautioned.

Lui Edwards, Forward, 3rd year – Sandhurst Town: Details of 4 – 0 win over Tooting & Mitcham not yet available, but was not amongst the scorers.

Harry White, Goalkeeper, 1st year – Sandhurst Town: Details of 4 – 0 win over Tooting & Mitcham not yet available.

Jamie Hilton, Centre Midfield, 3rd year - Guildford City: Played 77 minutes of 2 – 0 defeat at Tadley Calleva.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year - Guildford City: Played full game in 2 – 0 defeat at Tadley Calleva.

Keiondre Ellis-Vassell, Forward, 2nd year – Guildford City: Did not play in 2 – 0 defeat at Tadley Calleva.

Bob Honey, Goalkeeper, 1st year – Spelthorne Sports: Played in 4 – 0 defeat at AFC Croydon Athletic.