Academy Review - Week 23
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly Porter Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 27th January 2025
Monday 27th January
19:45 – Leatherhead U18 v Woking U18; Isthmian League – Central Division
River Lane, Leatherhead, KT22 0AY
Wednesday 29th January
11:30 – Woking U19 v Welling United U19; National League Academy – South Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
Thursday 30th January
19:30 – Woking U21 v Harrow Borough U23; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
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 20th January 2025
Wednesday 22nd January
Woking U17 4 - 5 Charlton Athletic Trust U17; National League Alliance – Division E
Woking College, Rydens Way
Report from Holly Porter
An entertaining nine-goal extravaganza took to Woking College on Wednesday morning in a competitive game which, in the reverse fixture back in October, ended with the points being shared after Vally’s stoppage-time equaliser. A win would have given Woking a foundation for aiming to be higher in the league, but the result rather emphasises their mid-table position, with Charlton gaining ground on them.
Throughout the fixture, Ampah had a lot of success with runs forward, both on and off the ball, and this started in just the 2nd minute when he charged forward down the right side and found Gurang’s run into the box. Gurang, however, was met by the Charlton defence, with a tackle that dispossessed the home side, and allowed Charlton to settle into the game.
Much like in the reverse fixture, it only took up until the 6th minute for the deadlock to be broken, but on this occasion, it was Charlton who took the early lead. In a defensive error from the home side, Headley chased down a loose back pass and slotted past Moore to give his side an early advantage.
In almost the perfect response from Woking, Gurang put in a decent cross, and Ejakita arrived at the back post, but the contact wasn’t enough, as the shot went narrowly wide in the 7th minute.
In the 12th minute, Charlton came close to their second, through another Headley effort. The initial effort was blocked, but a corner was awarded to the travelling side. The set-piece was played towards the mouth of the goal, which troubled Moore who had to get a glove on it. The touch from Moore meant a subsequent corner for Charlton was awarded, but on this occasion, the ball was cleared upfield by Ledbury.
In the 15th minute, Ampah was involved again, with a charge into the box which earned a corner for the Cards. Initially cleared, the ball fell to Drew outside the box, who got his shot away from range, with the effort being blocked by the travelling defence.
Back at the other end, McGibbon stepped up in defence and cleared the ball from another Headley effort, with the subsequent shot from the edge of the box once again being blocked.
In the 18th minute, Ejakita went through on goal, one-on-one with the keeper, as he looked to wipe Charlton’s early lead. Demarzo, however, reacted well to meet the shot and kept his side in the lead.
In the 24th minute, Cowley doubled that lead. Moore pulled off an excellent reactive save to deny the visitors on their first attempt, and the second attempt was then cleared off of the line. At the third time of asking, however, Cowley made no mistake, and the ball fired past Moore, who had dived down to his right, which gave the travelling side a two-goal lead.
This lead, however, did not last long, as Ampah got a goal back just 5 minutes later. Ejakita went down just inside the Woking half, and the Cards restarted play, with the ball being played through the field to Ampah. A great run into the box, Ampah got himself through on goal and slotted low past Demarzo to put the Cards right back in it.
Minutes later, a critical deflection for Charlton stopped a shot that looked certain to hit the back of the net. Moments after, Drew nearly got the home side level at the back post, but the contact sent the ball just wide.
In the 35th minute, Gurang found a good ball through to Ejakita in the box, and the forward came away with a corner for his side.
The corner in the 37th minute saw McGibbon flick a header towards the back post, which hit the inside of the metal and crossed the line, which brought his side level as the game approached half-time.
Half-time: Woking 2 – 2 Charlton Athletic Trust
A fantastic start to the second half saw Ampah put the Cards ahead within a minute of the restart. Good play from Tricker and Ledbury down the left side started a promising move forward, with the ball then being worked across to Ampah, who passed the ball into the net from close range to put the home side ahead for the first time in the fixture.
In a spell of promising play from Woking, the Cards looked set to extend their lead. In the 49th minute, the home side earned a free kick on the right side of the box. The ball was pulled back to the edge of the box from the set-piece, where Tricker eyed one up from outside the penalty area. A close effort, but the shot went just wide of the top left corner.
In the 51st minute, Moore was called into action, making a great save to keep Woking ahead. Charlton had a shot from range, which looped over the defence and towards Moore’s goal, but the home keeper dived up to his right, with a high outstretched arm, which got a strong hand to the shot to deny the visitors a third.
Ampah got through on goal again in the 54th minute, but the shot was fired straight at Demarzo as he continued in search of his third.
In the 60th minute, a good through ball found Ampah, whose run into the box left him with only the keeper in front of him. The shot was fired wide, but the play continued to be positive from Woking as they searched to extend their lead.
In the 61st minute, Baverstock made a big block to defend a strong Charlton shot, after Moore was forced to make a number of strong claims in a flurry of away pressure.
Ampah got forward once again in the 69th minute. This time the result was a dangerous-looking cross into the box, but, with no one there to finish it, Charlton comfortably headed the ball into the hands of Demarzo and eliminated the threat.
Back down the other end, in the 70th minute, Charlton created a threat of their own, which cancelled out Ampah’s early second-half goal. Having got around the Woking defence on the byline, Richardson looked set to cross the ball, but instead cleverly shot across goal, and placed the ball in at the far post from a tight angle, which put the teams level once again.
Immediately after the restart, Charlton went close to another. Wall placed the ball very narrowly wide at the back post, as the travelling side searched to restore their lead.
In the 76th minute, Ampah made a great run which split Charlton’s defence. Through on goal, the travelling ‘keeper did well once again to meet the shot, but he could not collect. The subsequent shot from Di Manno was also blocked, and the third shot went wide in a number of chances for Woking to restore their lead.
It did not take long after this for a lead to be restored, but it fell in Charlton’s favour in the 79th minute. Koksal was able to make a strong impact from the bench, as his effort from range took a deflection on its way goalward, and found the bottom corner, to put the travelling side back in the lead.
In the 84th minute, Wall went on a charging run forward, and passed it back to Richardson who opened up his body for the shot, but the effort went narrowly wide of Moore’s goal.
Moments later, Ampah charged forward, but the effort was blocked once again, as with many of Ampah’s efforts in the second half, in end-to-end play from both sides.
Despite the Woking effort, Charlton restored their two-goal advantage in the 86th minute. A ball over the top could not be reached by the heads of the Woking defence, and Charlton ran in behind and flicked the ball over the top of the ‘keeper and into the net to give them a comfortable lead in the closing stages.
That lead was reduced by Scanlon in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, who ran into the box and turned the ball in from close range to keep the hopes of a potential draw alive, but ultimately time ran out, with a narrow defeat in the end for the young Cards.
Woking Lineup: James Moore, Jack McGibbon, Mason Drew, Kai Baverstock, Pranish Gurang, Frankie Bushby © (Brain Rai 66’), Joe Scanlon, Will Ledbury (Luca Di Manno 54’), Jack Tricker (George Mattingley 75’), Jojo Ampah, Tyrell Ejakita. Unused Substitute: Aaron Zziwa (GK).
Goalscorers: Ampah (29’ & 46’), McGibbon (37’), Scanlon (90+2’).
Charlton Athletic Lineup: Reece Demarzo, Michael Nebechukwa, Finlay Cowley, Archie Morley, Robert Sayer, Harry Vass, Cory Nash, Prince Ifeanyi, Louie Richardson, Billy Wall, Callum Headley. Substitutes: Emir Koksal, Alfie Jones.
Goalscorers: Headley (6’), Cowley (24’), Richardson (70’), Koksal (79’), Wall (86’).
Referee: Adam Hanrahan.
Thursday 23rd January
Woking U18 1 - 1 Kingstonian U18; Isthmian League – Central Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Report from Ian Tilley
Following last weeks’ defeat at Metropolitan Police, Woking realistically needed a win to keep pace with the teams above them in the League table. This hard-fought draw means that Woking, as well as needing to win their own games, are now reliant on results in games between those teams going in their favour.
This game began in a rather frantic manner as both teams fought to gain control. Kingstonian looked to have the first chance, on 18 minutes, but Lee was closed down well and could only shoot wide.
Woking responded well, Kigozi, Page and Malhotra combining before Christophers brought a diving save out of Rudz.
Unfortunately, it would be a Woking mistake that led to the visitors taking the lead on 23 minutes. Gilmore charged the ball down when Woking didn’t clear, and the rebound rewarded him with an easy finish from six yards.
There was a heated exchange of opinions two minutes later after Gilmore closed down Davies, but all was resolved with good, calming refereeing and a handshake of reconciliation.
With Kigozi and Akinwalere switching wings, Woking looked to get back on even terms. Page involved twice, first putting a half-chance over the bar, and then, after a fine dribble forwards from Boyle, hitting the side-netting, but on the wrong side of the post from his perspective.
As the half continued, Woking found themselves on the defensive, with notable good work from Frawley, as Kingstonian looked the stronger. The Cards would be further tested in the second-half by the quality of the opposition.
Half-time: Woking 0 – 1 Kingstonian
Woking were competing well and creating chances, Page coming closest, after 52 minutes, with a shot from a tight angle going narrowly wide. Kigozi then had a shot blocked, after Davies and Akinwalere had done well in the build-up.
With an hour gone Christophers had a shot well saved, and Parkinson did well to block a Page effort. Kingstonian looked to have regained control of the match, but Woking were level on 76 minutes.
The introduction of Ampah, and a subtle change of shape and positional play bore an instant dividend. Malhotra’s clever and accurate pass in to Ampah was controlled neatly with his first touch, and teed up for Vally to hit a smart diagonal drive in to the far corner of the net from ten yards.
Kingstonian soon came close to retaking the lead, Gilmore’s shot blocked for a corner and Frawley heading off the line in defence of the set-piece, before Dyer shot over.
It did not look like either team would find a winner, but Woking came close in added time, Page was able to get in a close-range snap-shot towards the bottom corner, but Rudz had closed the angle well and the danger was averted.
A final Kingstonian attack was repelled, and the sides had to settle for a point apiece. A win for Woking at Leatherhead on Monday becoming even more important.
Woking: Aaron Zziwa, Louie Boyle ©, Ollie Rigby, Dillan Davies, Joe Frawley, Leo Christophers, Amario Malhotra, Seyi Akinwalere (Jack Tricker 87), Hayden Vally, Roshan Kigozi (Jojo Ampah 74), Jalil Page. Unused substitutes: James Moore (GK), Frankie Bushby, Will Ledbury.
Goalscorer: Vally 76.
Kingstonian: Szymon Rudz, Carlos Angulo, Bryan Edwards, Ben Parkinson, Lucas Dyer (Kavell Buckmaster 84), Charlie Bland (Jayden Hudson-Odoi 56), Taehyun Kim, Nima Ghandali, Heesu Lee (Sonny Cooper 56), Daniel Gilmore, Eren Hincal. Unused Substitutes: Jake Jackson, Harry Putney.
Goalscorer: Gilmore 23.
Referee: Daniel Bright, Assistant 1: Charles Sherred, Assistant 2: Paz Morreale.
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:
Tuesday 21st January
Tom Dryer, Forward, 2nd year – Westfield: Made his Westfield debut coming on as a 53rd minute substitute in the 4 – 1 victory at Fleet Town in the Aldershot Divisional Saturday Senior Cup Quarter- Final.
Lui Edwards, Forward, 4th year – Westfield: Played the full game in the Aldershot Divisional Saturday Senior Cup Quarter-Final game at Fleet Town. Set up the third goal for Caleb Wright before scoring the fourth himself, in the 4 – 1 victory.
Ethan Gold, Defender, 3rd year – Binfield: Played the full game in the 2 – 1 victory at Hastings United in the Velocity (Isthmian League) Cup Quarter-Final.
Bob Honey, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Kingstonian. Was on the substitutes bench for the 5 – 1 victory over Metropolitan Police in the Isthmian League – South Central Division (Step 4).
Byron Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Started on the substitutes bench in the 0 – 4 defeat at Merstham in the Surrey Senior Cup Second Round.
Saturday 25th January
Lucas Boxall, Midfield, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Started on the substitutes’ bench for the 0 – 0 draw at Knaphill in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Ellis Byrne, Central Midfield, 2nd year - Knaphill: Started and played 89 minutes of the 0 – 0 draw against Sheerwater in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Tom Dryer, Forward, 2nd year – Westfield: Came on as a 67th minute substitute in the 3 – 2 victory over Badshot Lea in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4), receiving praise for his attacking contribution.
Lui Edwards, Forward, 4th year – Westfield: Started and played 90+3 minutes of the 3 – 2 victory over Badshot Lea in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4). Westfield were 0 – 2 down at half-time and Edwards had had a shot saved on 46 minutes before he scored the equaliser on 55 minutes. John Adebiyi with the other Westfield goals on 51 and 78 minutes.
Ethan Gold, Defender, 3rd year – Binfield: Was not involved in the 1 – 4 defeat at Harrow Borough in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4).
Bob Honey, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Kingstonian: Was a substitute for the 2 – 1 victory at South Park in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4).
Stanley Kyle, Forward, 2nd year – Sandhurst Town: Started on the substitutes’ bench for the 0 – 2 defeat at Redhill in the Combined Counties League - Premier Division South (Step 5).
Oliver Mason, Central Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Was not involved in the 3 – 2 victory at Rayners Lane in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4).
Henry McDonald, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Sheerwater: Started on the substitutes’ bench for the 0 – 0 draw at Knaphill in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Came on after 61 minutes of the 0 – 0 draw against Sheerwater in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Byron Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Played the first 75 minutes of the 0 – 0 draw at Knaphill in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Louis Pask, Midfielder, 2nd year – Camberley Town: Came on as a 62nd minute substitute (with the score already 1 – 1) in the 1 – 1 draw against Guildford City in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Harry White, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Sandhurst Town: Played the full game of the 0 – 2 defeat at Redhill in the Combined Counties League - Premier Division South (Step 5).