Academy Review - Week 11

Written by Ian Tilley

Academy Bulletin as at 28th October 2024 – Week 11

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 28th October 2024

Tuesday 29th October

19:45 – Woking U18 v Bromley U18; FA Youth Cup - First Round Proper

Laithwaite Community Stadium, Kingfield

Thursday 31st October

19:30 – Woking U17 v East Grinstead Town U18; Isthmian Youth Football League – Central Division

Knaphill FC, Redding Way

Saturday 2nd November

15:00 – Metropolitan Police U21 v Woking U21; Suburban Football League – Premier Division

Metropolitan Police FC, Imber Court, Ember Lane, Molesey

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



Match Report and Team Detail – Week commencing 21st October 2024

Wednesday 23rd October

Woking U19 6 - 0 Boreham Wood U19; National League Alliance – Academy South

Westfield FC, Woking Park

Woking went in to this game having suffered two serious injuries in the squad. Lewis Mouland, the regular goalkeeper for Academy South games, has had an operation on the ankle injury he suffered in a freak incident in training. Stefan van Wijngaarden, following the double leg break he suffered at Ramsgate during the FA Youth Cup game, had a successful operation on Friday last. We wish them both a complete recovery.

Given these circumstances it was understandable that the Woking team might lack a little of their usual edge. However, it is a little surprising to see Boreham Wood struggling at the bottom of the league table, and to have, after this game, just one point from four games. This was to be a straightforward afternoon for Woking.

After a quiet opening Woking had the lead on 12 minutes. A neat threaded pass from Harvey Brook put in Lucas Boxall, who showed great composure to round Darius Cnacoshi and slot home from a tight angle, inside the far post.

Boreham Wood did have a couple of half-chances, but found themselves 0 – 2 down on 27 minutes. A fine passing move, involving Sam Brittain and Stanley Kyle putting Boxall through to slide the ball past the ‘keeper for his and Woking’s second.

On 34 minutes Kyle had his reward for his excellent all-round play. Boxall’s long shot was deflected for a corner, which the Wood defence failed to clear under pressure from Boxall, and Kyle was on hand to knock home the loose ball.

Two minutes later the visitors were four behind. Henry McDonald’s free kick volleyed home at the far post by Aidy Silverstein. Woking’s centre-back having not lost the goalscoring instincts of his earlier years. Boreham Wood rallied briefly but found Jack Lewis determined in his defensive duties, even with his side 4 – 0 ahead.

Woking’s neat passing game continued to dominate proceedings, creating chance after chance, and Boxall nearly completed a first half hat-trick with a first-time flick finish which came back off the post.

The half had been rather straightforward for Woking against a somewhat subdued Boreham Wood side.

Half-time: Woking 4 – 0 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood did start the second-half by winning a corner, but Adam Morley’s delivery came to nothing, and the action soon returned to the pattern of the first-half.

On 48 minutes Silverstein had his second of the game. Tommy Seale’s cross was flicked on by Harvey Brook at the near post and Woking’s new goal-machine was on hand at the far post to rifle the ball into the roof of the net.

On 52 minutes injury forced Jack Lewis from the field, and Woking reorganised, but although Boreham Wood were still competing, the best chances continued to fall to Woking, and the Wood hardly threatened. Woking came closest when Brittain teed up Seale for a strike from the edge of the penalty area which hit the post.

A less eventful half still had time for a sixth Woking goal, on 84 minutes. Brittain dribbling skilfully before his precise shot from 20 yards found Cnacoshi’s bottom left-hand corner. Brook did come close to making it seven, the ‘keeper just reaching his lobbed effort, but the scoring for the day was done.

So, six goals and a clean sheet in a comfortable Woking win - they will certainly face sterner tests in the weeks ahead.

Woking: Mikey Verga, Harrison Stevens, Aidy Silverstein (George Galea-Elston 64), Jacob Farr, Jack Lewis (Charlie Sweeney 52), Henry McDonald, Tommy Seale, Lucas Boxall (Jermaine Junior Young 69), Sam Brittain, Stanley Kyle (Byron Mitchell 64), Harvey Brook. Unused sub: Bob Honey (GK).

Goals: Boxall 12, 27, Kyle 34, Silverstein 36, 48, Brittain 84.

Boreham Wood: Darius Cnacoshi, Adam Morley, Daniel Isaac, Miller Arm (Deifin Dominguez 46), Jonnie Lilley, Will Wilson, Aston Weaver (James Kosky 61), Francis Tortora, Cherif Hydara, Antwaan Miller (Josh Kai Kai 46), Keanu Flemming.

Referee: Colin Campbell



Welling United U18 2 - 1 Woking U17; Isthmian Youth League Cup - Third Round

Holmesdale Football Club, Oakley Road, Bromley

Woking: Jools Lacey, Thomas Ward (c) (Pranish Gurang 75), Ollie Rigby, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Louie Boyle, Leo Christopher (Amario Malhotra 60), Frankie Bushby (Will Ledbury 70), Jack Tricker (Joe Frawley 70), Bruno Dackombe, Hayden Vally, Seyi Akinwalere. Unused sub: Jack Roles (GK).

Goal: Bushby 8.



Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:

Tuesday 22nd October

Lui Edwards, Forward, 4th year – Westfield: Played 78 minutes of the 1 – 0 home victory over Southall in the Isthmian League - South Central Division.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Played the full game in the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup Second Round 0 – 2 defeat at Broadfields United.

Saturday 26th October

Lui Edwards, Forward, 4th year – Westfield: Played the first 64 minutes of the 0 – 5 defeat at home to Kingstonian in the Isthmian League - South Central Division.

Tom Gardner, Centre-Back, 3rd year – Sandhurst Town: Did not play in the 1 – 4 defeat at Tooting & Mitcham United in the Combined Counties - Premier Division South.

Henry McDonald, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Petersfield Town: Started on the bench in the 2 – 1 victory at Shoreham in the Southern Combination - Premier Division. A game which saw Shoreham finish with 8 players on the pitch!

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Played the first 71 minutes, and scored with a neat control and finish after 23 minutes, his ninth goal of the season, to put Knaphill 1 – 0 up at AFC Whyteleafe in the Combined Counties Premier Division South. Unfortunately for the Knappers, three second-half goals gave the hosts a 3 – 1 victory.