Academy Review - Week 1

Written by Ian Tilley

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 19th August 2024

Monday 19th August
19:45: South Park U18 v Woking U18; Isthmian Football League – Youth Central Division
King George’s Field, Whitehall Lane, South Park

Thursday 22nd August
19:30 - Woking U21 v Bromley U21; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way

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

Match Report – Week commencing 12th August
Friday 16th August
Cobham U21 0 - 3 Woking U21; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Leg O’Mutton Field, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham

Last season saw Woking lose their first two Suburban League games, and also their first fixture against Cobham, so this was a very encouraging start against a team including a number from Cobham’s first team squad.

Woking fielded a familiar line-up featuring many of the players who won last season’s Isthmian Youth West Division, and the move for many of them in to their second year got off to the ideal start.

Woking could have been ahead after 2 minutes, Harvey Brook creating a chance for himself with excellent closing down of a defender, only to hit his shot too near to Mohammed Kanu in the Cobham goal.

Cobham also had an early chance, Louis Toussaint putting a free header over the bar.

Woking took the lead on 12 minutes, pressure from Stefan Van Wijngaarden prevented Kanu from gathering Brook’s low cross, with Henry MacDonald on hand to tap home from 6 yards.

Both Louis Pask and Brook forced good saves from Kanu, although this was an open game and Shemar Parkes let Woking off the hook when choosing to shoot rather than pass to a better placed colleague.

Cobham were stretching their younger opponents and Woking were grateful to Aidy Silverstein for an excellent covering challenge, and Mikey Verga for a number of fine saves. Indeed, better finishing would have seen Cobham score.

The pace and movement of Woking’s midfield was troubling Cobham and on 37 minutes Harry Lush felt the need to put in a ‘reducer’ on MacDonald, a rather cynical action, and one which saw the Woking player leave the field of play early in the second half as he was unable to run off the injury to his ankle.

As the first-half came to a close Woking continued to press forward and both Jermaine Junior Young and Sam Brittain threatened with shots from the edge of the area.

Half-time: Cobham 0 – 1 Woking

The second-half saw both sides create chances, and it would be Woking with the real moments of quality that would go on to seal victory.

It wasn’t all plain-sailing, Silverstein cautioned on 65 minutes for pulling-back an opponent, perhaps guilty of over-playing as much as anything else.

On 67 minutes Young, who had been strong in midfield throughout, showed his quality from set pieces, a fine cross from a free-kick met by George Galea-Elston, evading his marker to head over the stranded goalkeeper to make it 0-2.

Woking’s third, on 75 minutes, was a move of much quality. Tommy Seale is known for his passing abilities, and the move began with his sublime turn and cross-field diagonal pass, Pask’s control and cross were of equal quality, and substitute Byron Mitchell timed his run to the far post superbly to side-foot home a neat finish.

A well-deserved win was topped off with a great double-save from Verga on 83 minutes. Cobham will rue their missed chances, whilst Woking anticipate what should be a tougher challenge from Bromley on Monday.

Thanks to Cobham for their warm welcome and hospitality, a club to which I recommend a visit. We send them our best wishes for the season.

Cobham Starting XI: Mohammed Kanu, Shemar Parkes, Charlie Ansell, Joe Alyarez, Freddie Pritchett, Harry Lush, Thomas Kerbey, Idir Kermoud, Louis Toussaint, Jeremy Lashley, Raqueme Richardson. Subs: Dario Carvalho, Cameron Deighton, John Dempsey, Alan Klimkiewicz, Jeyaney Roberts, Malachi Webb, Mylo Stevens.

Woking: Mikey Verga, George Galea-Elston, Tom Gardner (c), Aidy Silverstein (Charlie Sweeney 83), Louis Pask (Jayden Smith 83), Tommy Seale, Henry MacDonald (Bobby Lawrence 59), Sam Brittain, Jermaine Junior Young, Stefan Van Wijngaarden, Harvey Brook (Byron Mitchell 68). Sub not used: Harry White (GK).

Goals: MacDonald 12, Galea-Elston 67, Mitchell 75.

Referee: Mark Edwards.

Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:

17th August
Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Unused sub in 2-1 defeat at Virginia Water.
Lui ‘Jamie Vardy’ Edwards, Forward, 3rd year – Westfield: Won the ‘man of the match’ award for scoring the second and third goals in 3 –1 win over Sherbourne Town in FA Cup Preliminary Round.
Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: No game.
Bob Honey, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Spelthorne Sports: No game.