Academy Review - Week 6

Written by Ian Tilley

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 23rd September 2024

Wednesday 26th September

12:00 – Chatham Town U17 v Woking U17; National League Alliance – Division E

Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham

14:00 - Woking U19 v Eastleigh U19; National League Alliance – Academy South

Westfield FC, Woking Park

Thursday 26th September

19:30 – Woking U21 v Slough Town U21; The Michael Bidmead (League) Challenge Cup, 1st Round

Redding Way, Knaphill

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



Match Reports and Team Details – Week commencing 16th September

Wednesday 18th September

Woking U17 2 – 3 Eastleigh Blues; National League Alliance – Division E

Woking College, Rydens Way

Eastleigh arrived top of the early league table due to an emphatic goal difference, and would prove to be a strong opposition for Woking’s first years, who did well to compete throughout with a side including many second years. Woking made one change to their starting XI, with Amario Malhotra returning for Luca Di Manno, who moved to the substitutes bench.

Eastleigh started well and were causing problems with their attacking passing, although Woking’s midfield were shielding their defence well, and Woking were getting forwards themselves and Jojo Ampah could have shot when he unselfishly passed to Roshan Kigozi, and Eastleigh recovered.

Woking were matching their opponents with great determination, Mason Drew blocking well when called upon, and Frankie Bushby relishing the challenge and showing fine competitiveness, although Coby Killick came close to putting Eastleigh ahead on 23 minutes, heading over from a few yards out at a corner.

With Pranish Gurang and Roshan Kigozi getting forwards well on the wings Woking were trading attacking passages of play with their opponents, and on 30 minutes Kigozi saw his shot blocked. Woking had done well to get to grips with Eastleigh’s offside trap, and on 39 minutes they had the lead. Woking’s short passing overcame Eastleigh’s offside plan, with Malhotra and Ampah involved in the move, and Hayden Vally continued his goalscoring form with a low drive from 10 yards.

Eastleigh responded well, and not for the last time Freddie Ingram hit a shot which Aaron Zziwa did well to save. Then Freddie Beale looked to have hit an equaliser, before Zziwa made a diving save to stop the ball from hitting the top corner of the net, leaving the disbelieving Beale with his head in his hands. From the resulting corner Charlie Luff’s chipped cross-shot somehow evaded everyone and went past the far post.

It looked like Eastleigh would have an equaliser before half-time, and Henry Miburu connected well from 25 yards, but his shot was straight at Zziwa. Then, on 45 minutes, Woking had a second, a superb through ball from Joe Scanlon releasing Vally on a run in to the penalty area, and the forward with the vision to knock the ball past the advancing ‘keeper to Ampah, who could enjoy taking a touch before blasting the ball in to the empty net from close range.

As Eastleigh goalkeeper Sam White received treatment and the other players took drinks it looked like that would be the end of the action for the half, but the break looked to affect concentration, and Ingram had time and space to hit an unstoppable drive in to the top corner from 20 yards, giving Zziwa no chance.

Half-time: Woking 2 – 1 Eastleigh

Buoyed by the goal getting them back in to the game, Eastleigh started the second-half brightly, Beale volleying a half-chance wide. This was the start of something of an onslaught. Ingram’s shot was deflected for a corner, and after a goalmouth scramble Barney Stone saw his shot deflected wide. Chase Michel cut inside but saw his shot hit the far post and bounce across goal to safety.

The direction of play continued, Ben Beard shot over, Luff shot wide and Beale shot at Zziwa. On 54 minutes Woking did create a chance for Vally to shoot, but it was brief moment of respite. Michel was causing problems, especially with his pace, and Ingram grew stronger, driving his team forward. And Beale couldn’t quite get on the end of Michel’s cross shot.

On 59 minutes came Eastleigh’s best chance to equalise yet. Kigozi was beaten by Chase’s pace and his late challenge saw the referee point to the penalty spot. Ingram could have hit his spot-kick more cleanly and Zziwa was equal to it, diving to his right to make the save.

After receiving treatment for cramp Vally was replaced by Tyrell Ejakita, who was quickly in to the game, his pace winning a corner. However, Woking were soon on the back-foot again, their defence stretched and Zziwa called in to more action. Beale and Michel had switched flanks to great effect, and were to combine for the equaliser on 71 minutes. Beale’s run and cross from the left met by Michel coming in from the right to finish emphatically with a fierce shot from 6 yards.

Eastleigh had chances to make it 3 – 2 before they did score their winner on 80 minutes, their play between the lines adding to the pressure. The decisive goal came from a fine through ball from Stone, Zziwa misjudged his coming out to clear, and Ingram got to the ball first and was able to knock the ball past the onrushing ‘keeper and in to his goal. A goalkeeper’s lot is not a happy one, this was a fine game for Zziwa, but he will remember his expensive misjudgement.

Eastleigh’s domination continued and they looked the more likely to add another goal, although Woking didn’t make the most of an 89th minute free-kick, and Gurang did well in added-time to create a chance for himself with his dribbling skill, but could not get enough power in his shot to beat White.

Woking battled well against one of the stronger teams in the league, and should be encouraged that Eastleigh had to be at their best to beat them, and will grow from games against such opposition.

Woking: Aaron Zziwa, Connor Thomas (c), Mason Drew, Kai Baverstock, Roshan Kigozi (Jack McGibbon 79), Amario Malhotra, Joe Scanlon, Pranish Gurang, Frankie Bushby (Luca Di Manno 79), Hayden Vally (Tyrell Ejakita 60), Jojo Ampah. Unused subs: James Moore (GK), Jack Owen.

Goals: Vally 39, Ampah 45.

Eastleigh: Sam White, Ben Beard (George Cole 74), Coby Killick (c), Thomas Farnsworth, Henry Mubiru (Henry Barham 90+1), Freddie Beale, Ethan Jones (Nick O’Carroll 87), Charlie Luff, Chase Michel (Harley Russell 84), Freddie Ingram, Barney Stone. Unused sub. Oscar Maule (GK).

Goals: Ingram 45+2, 80, Michel 71.

Referee: Charles Sherrard.



Aldershot U19 0 – 3 Woking U19 (HT: 0 – 0); National League Alliance – Academy South

SB Stadium, Bottom Meadow, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst

Woking: Lewis Mouland, George Galea-Elston, Tom Gardner (c), Aidy Silverstein, Louis Pask, Tommy Seale, Henry McDonald, Sam Brittain, Lucas Boxall, Stanley Kyle, Stefan van Wijngaarden. Subs: Mikey Verga (GK), Jermaine Junior Young, Harvey Brook, Harrison Stevens, Jacob Farr.

Goals: Van Wijngaarden 49, McDonald 55, Gardner 60.



Saturday 21st September

St Albans Reserves 3 - 3 Woking U21; Suburban Football League Premier Division

Clarence Park, St Albans

The Woking squad arrived no doubt buoyed by their midweek win at Aldershot, and battled well to maintain their unbeaten run. The two clubs finished on equal points last season, and St Albans had also started this season strongly.

The first ten minutes were St Albans, Kye Scott and Taylor Mahoney with attempts on goal, before Mahoney’s shot hit the post after good pressing from his teammates. Woking responded and JJ Young was able to get a shot away as the Cards got their passing game going, and Aidy Silverstein, up from defence for a corner, saw his shot well tipped over the bar by Josh Dunton.

On 21 minutes Scott had another chance, but shot straight at Mikey Verga. Then Woking took the initiative, Louis Pask’s excellent dribbling winning the first of four consecutive corners. Young’s delivery was causing problems and Tommy Seale, Sam Brittain and Silverstein all threatened the St Albans’ goal.

The Saints responded and it was their turn to be in the ascendency, first Scott’s shot brought Verga in to action, and then the Woking ‘keeper made two fine saves from Mahoney, before making another save from Scott, Verga a big reason why it remained 0 – 0.

But as the half drew to a close St Albans had the lead, their press forcing another corner, which Woking couldn’t clear, despite a Verga save and a Seale block, with the ball eventually falling to Gabe Ward, who knocked home from short range. Pask did win his side another free-kick but Young’s free kick was headed over by Silverstein and the half ended with the hosts in the lead.

Half-time: St Albans 1 – 0 Woking

Woking started the second-half well, Brittain winning a corner, but on 50 minutes they found themselves two behind. Dylan Joyce finishing a move he had started with a firmly hit shot from the edge of the area which flew in to the Woking net.

As St Albans continued to create more chances than Woking, it was time for a change to the cards’ midfield. Lucas Boxall replaced Seale, with Young dropping deeper and Boxall looking to get forward. Verga was still called upon to make another save, but St Albans play was becoming a little scrappy.

On 65 minutes Harvey Brook replaced Byron Mitchell, who had worked tirelessly without reward. Within a minute Brook battled hard to win a throw-in, and when the ball broke to Van Wijngaarden from the resulting goalmouth scramble, he was able to find the back of the net from the corner of the six-yard box to half the arrears.

The equaliser came six minutes later, although St Albans did hit the post in the interim. A long ball forwards found Van Wijngaarden on the right-wing, and his excellent cross to the near post was met by Brook who headed unstoppably past the ‘keeper.

Woking’s final substitution saw Jacob Farr replace Brittain, feeling discomfort in his right ankle, and although the left-side is less familiar to Farr, he was still to have an impact.

There were still twists to come, and now against the run of play, a long ball forward evaded the Woking defence, and Mahoney was able to run in and knock the ball past the advancing Verga to put St Albans back in the lead. 3 – 2 to the saints after 75 minutes.

Scott had another shot straight at Verga before Woking pressed again. Henry McDonald and Boxall forced saves from Dunton, but time looked to be running out. That was until the first minute of added time, and a fine piece of work from Farr. As he dribbled in the box it looked like he had left it too late to pass, but he fed the ball to Brook who smashed home the equaliser from a few yards out.

Woking went in search of a winner, whilst mindful not to suffer a sucker-punch, but could not create another clear chance, and the game drew to a close. Whilst Woking may have had a sense that this was a match they could have won, St Albans were clearly the more disappointed as they headed to the dressing rooms. St Albans, as a club, to be commended for their friendliness and hospitality.

St Albans: Josh Dunton, Fatjon Uke (Chris Coulouby 70), Gabe Ward (Ollie Siggers 70), James Beasley, Max Scott, Durnell Taylor (Feroz Hamzie 78), Sam Cooper (Joe Beardon 62), Dylan Joyce (c), Alex Penn, Kye Scott, Taylor Mahoney: Unused subs: Harry Pattrick (GK), Lockie Kennedy.

Goals: Ward 44, Joyce 50, Mahoney 75.

Woking: Mikey Verga, George Galea-Elston, Tom Gardner (c), Aidy Silverstein, Louis Pask, Tommy Seale (Lucas Boxall 55), Henry McDonald, Sam Brittain (Jacob Farr 73), Jermaine Junior Young, Byron Mitchell (Harvey Brook 65), Stefan van Wijngaarden. Unused sub: Oliver Kabeer (GK).

Goals: Van Wijngaarden 66, Brook 72, 90+1.

Referee: David Goater.



Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:

Tuesday 17th September

Lui Edwards, Forward, 4th year – Westfield: Played the full game in the 0 – 2 defeat at Farnham Town in the Isthmian League - South Central Division.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Played 56 minutes in the 5 – 3 victory at Epsom & Ewell in the Combined Counties Premier Division South. Mitchell scored penalties in the 40th and 55th minutes before being substituted with his side 3 – 0 to the good.

Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Came on as a 78th minute substitute in the 2 - 1 victory over Sutton Common Rovers in the Velocity Cup Second Round. Ascot’s winner scored by ex-Card Aiden Payne-James.

Saturday 21st September

Lui Edwards, Forward, 4th year– Westfield: Played the first half of the 1 - 3 defeat to Thame United in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Played the full game of the 0 – 2 defeat at Billingshurst in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round.

Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Was substituted after 56 minutes, having earlier been cautioned, of the 1 – 0 victory over Margate in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round.