Academy Review - Week 27
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly Porter Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 24th February 2025
Wednesday 26th February
14:00 – Woking U19 v Maidenhead United U19; National League Academy – South Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
Thursday 27th February
19:30 – East Grinstead Town U18 v Woking U18; Isthmian League – Central Division
East Court College Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 3LS
Friday 28th February
19:45 – Bracknell Town U23 v Woking U21; Suburban League – Premier Division
Bottom Meadow, Sandhurst, Berkshire GU47 9BJ
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 17th February 2025
Monday 17th February
Dover Athletic U19 4 - 1 Woking U19 (Half-time: 2 – 1); National League Academy – South Division
The Abbey School, London Road, Faversham
Goal times:
Dover 1’
Woking, Boxall 30’
Dover 45’
Dover 51’
Dover 58’
Woking: Mikey Verga, Jack Lewis, Aidy Silverstein, Charlie Sweeney, Ryan Scott, Louis Pask, Henry McDonald (JJ Young 63), Leo Christophers, Lucas Boxall (Seyi Akinwalere 57), Harvey Brook, Stanley Kyle: Unused substitute: Jacob Farr.
Chipstead U18 0 – 6 Woking U18; Isthmian League – Central Division
High Road, Chipstead
Report from Ian Tilley
A convincing victory to warm the heart on a bitterly cold night, albeit a success that would be given some perspective by Thursday evening’s result.
After a quiet opening, Woking soon found themselves in the ascendency. On 10 minutes Ollie Rigby’s pass set Roshan Kigozi up to win a corner, and Amario Malhotra’s accurate delivery was headed home emphatically by Joel Jennison-Leppa from the centre of the six-yard box.
Malhotra and Will Ledbury, in the heart of Woking’s midfield were starting to control the game, and the Cards doubled the lead on 20 minutes. Hayden Vally won a free-kick about 20 yards from goal, and Malhotra beat the defensive wall, and the ‘keepers outstretched hand, to send the ball delightfully just under the crossbar.
Jack Tricker came close to making it three just a few minutes later, shooting narrowly wide from the edge of the area. And on 24 minutes the third goal came, Vally’s cross from the right-wing giving Jojo Ampah a tap-in from just a couple of yards.
Five minutes later it was four, Kigozi making the most of a misplaced pass, and taking a touch before hitting the ball low and true from the edge of the area.
Chipstead did give Woking reason to maintain their concentration levels, but Woking’s defence were able to deal with any danger which came their way.
Half-time: Chipstead 0 – 4 Woking
The hosts started the second-half well, playing a more pressing game, and restricting Woking’s attacking play, and they would come to create some clear chances of their own. After Rehan Beaumont had cleared an Ampah effort off the line on 63 minutes, Nathan Nutaker forced Aaron Zziwa into a save and Louis Higham saw his effort go narrowly wide.
However, Woking were not to be denied, and some very good football brought about their fifth. Ledbury won the ball well in midfield, and moved the ball to Vally, whose fine pass played in Tricker, who finished superbly, slotting the ball past the advancing ‘keeper.
Woking made full use of their substitutes, including some game time for James Moore in goal, before Zziwa is away to meet up with the Ugandan under 17 AFCON provisional squad.
In a quieter half, Woking did continue to look for a sixth, and it came on 90 minutes, Tricker crossing the ball nicely from the left side, and Calum Mathieson finishing with a neat near-post flick off the outside of his right foot.
The match completed, it was a joy to return to the warmth, of welcome and temperature, of the clubhouse.
Woking: Aaron Zziwa (James Moore 74), Louie Boyle © (Max Goldsworthy 58), Ollie Rigby, Joel Jennison Leppa, Joe Frawley, Roshan Kigozi, Will Ledbury, Amario Malhotra (Joe Scanlon 74), Jack Tricker, Hayden Vally (Calum Mathieson 74), Jojo Ampah (Frankie Bushby 64).
Goals: Jennison-Leppa 10, Malhotra 20, Ampah 24, Kigozi 29, Tricker 73, Mathieson 90.
Wednesday 19th February
Woking U19 3 – 3 Southend United U19; National League Academy – South Division
Westfield FC, Woking Park
Report from Holly Porter
A quick turnaround for the u19s after their 4 - 1 loss to Dover Athletic on Monday, with a number of changes in the starting line-up from this fixture evidence of the congested fixture schedule.
With only five players retaining their place in the starting 11, several others had an opportunity to impress, including first-years Louie Boyle and Jojo Ampah, who made a strong impact throughout the game, alongside fellow first year Leo Christophers, who has been playing under 19s games for some time now.
The game started in a lively fashion for the Cards, with plenty of possession and attempts to build moves forward, but no end product for the home side in the opening stages.
Despite the fast-paced start from Woking, Southend grew into the game, with a big chance in the 9th minute to put themselves ahead. The ball was given away poorly by the Woking defence just outside the penalty area, with Poxon having a first look at goal. The Cards recovered well and won the ball back on the edge of the box to deny the travelling side an early opportunity at goal.
It wasn’t long, however, until Woking found themselves a goal behind, as Southend converted the momentum they had been building throughout the opening 15 minutes into a goal.
In the 13th minute, a great piece of skill from Makangu opened up some space for him in the box, from which he then fired across the face of the goal into Verga’s net to take the lead.
Woking did not let this goal stop their positive start to the game in attack, however, with continued play going forward immediately after the restart. In almost the perfect response, the home side headed a corner just over the bar in the 16th minute, but the search for the equaliser was stumped by a Southend second minutes later.
In the 22nd minute, a dangerous free-kick was played by Shobowale from the right side, with a deep ball into the box which evaded the punch of Verga and fell to Humphrey at the back post, who was able to hit home.
The next phase of play was largely dominated by Southend, who continued their momentum up until the 30-minute mark. In the 25th minute, the search for a third nearly concluded with a threatening effort from the edge of the box, but the shot was dragged just wide of Verga’s net.
In the 28th minute, the visitors won a free kick in a similar position to where the goal-scoring set-piece had been taken, but this time the delivery lacked the same quality, and the effort went over the bar and out for a goal kick.
With a change of momentum as we entered the final 15 minutes of the first half, Mason forced a save out of Barrett in the 32nd minute, with an incredible effort which looked set to hit the top-left corner.
Just a minute later, Woking were able to get one back through Sweeney. After several corners in quick succession for the home side, with Scott in charge of delivery, the ball fell to Sweeney amidst an attempted clearance from United, and the defender slotted the ball into the near corner effortlessly, placing the Cards right back in the game.
Southend looked to quickly restore their two-goal lead in the 37th minute, with an excellently driven run forward, followed by a great pass in behind the defence, but the final touch was not there and Woking’s one-goal deficit remained.
This, however, did not last long, as Mitchell proved a problem going forward for Southend, and won a penalty against Nwike in the 44th minute, a golden chance for Woking to level. Mason made no mistake, with a 45th-minute spot-kick being met by the gloves of the travelling keeper, but not convincingly enough to keep it out of the net, and the two sides went in level at the break.
Half-Time: Woking 2 – 2 Southend United
Woking started the second half strongly, much like in the first 45, with a clear chance to put themselves ahead for the first time in the fixture in the 48th minute. Ampah picked up a great ball forward, and edged away from the defence, and completed his involvement with a pass across the field to Boxall. A fantastic break forward, but the ball was too close to the keeper and Southend regained possession.
As with the first 45, Southend were the first to score. The ball into the box from the right-hand side was well-headed in by Stone at the back post and restored Southend’s lead in the 54th minute.
It did not take long, however, for Woking to get themselves level once again, courtesy of Sweeney’s second of the afternoon. Scott’s corner was met perfectly by the head of Sweeney in the 60th minute, with the travelling keeper unable to keep the ball out of the net as the teams drew level once again.
A very positive spell of play followed this for the Cards, with a Boxall ball being flashed across the face of goal in the 63rd minute, with no one there to get the final touch.
Moments later, Sweeney was back in the box searching for his hat trick, and having received the ball in front of goal this looked promising, but the whistle went for a foul in the area, and Southend regained possession.
In the 66th minute, Sweeney had yet another chance to secure his third, but this time the header from the corner went just over the bar.
It was substitute Pask who went the closest after this, with a 79th-minute free kick from just outside the box being narrowly fired over the bar, as the search for the winner continued into the final 10 minutes.
Verga certainly played his part in the closing stages, firstly with a great claim from a Southend free kick which was taken just inside the Woking half. With the set-piece being played long, the effort searched for the inside roof of Verga’s net, but the keeper held onto the ball well, and kept the sides level.
Back down the other end just minutes later, Pask went close once again to placing his side ahead. The well-worked corner fell to Pask, but his effort went just wide of the left post.
In the 90th minute, a Woking free kick eventually fell to Kyle in the box, but Barrett was equal to the shot as we entered injury time at Westfield.
The final few minutes saw both teams really push for the winner, with a fight which could have gone either way. In the Woking area, a big touch from Verga, as well as some nervy defending from Woking, stopped Southend from clinching a late winner.
With the final play of the game, Kyle broke into the box, but Barrett did excellently in the one-on-one scenario and opened his body to meet Kyle’s effort, and the save triggered the final whistle and ended the high paced closing stages with a point apiece.
Academy Manager Matt Winter reflected on the game, stating: “I’m delighted with the attitude of all the boys. The challenge from Monday was to really raise our levels. I don’t think we started slowly, and I don't think we were particularly poor, but we found ourselves 2-0 down and then you’re asking questions and seeing if players can step up, and ultimately we did.”
Woking Lineup: Mikey Verga, Louie Boyle, James Orton, Leo Christophers (Henry McDonald 77’), Tom Gardner ©, Charlie Sweeney, Ryan Scott, Ollie Mason, Ben Mitchell, Lucas Boxall (Stanley Kyle 77’), Jojo Ampah (Louis Pask 77’). Unused substitutes: Jermaine Junior Young, Aidy Silverstein.
Goalscorers: Sweeney 33’ & 60’, Mason 45’ pen.
Southend United Lineup: Joshua Barrett, Teddy Woolland (Nathan Woodley 72’), Mitchell Ward, Joshua Jackson, Julius Nwike, Olu Shobowale, Alfie Humphrey, Zevieyan Makangu, Jack Stone, Joe Poxon ©, Obi Okafor (Jared Nana Asare 84’).
Goalscorers: Makangu 13’, Humphrey 22’, Stone 54’.
Referee: Paz Morreale.
Thursday 20th February
Woking U18 1 - 4 Metropolitan Police U18; Isthmian League – Central Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Report from Ian Tilley
Whilst Monday evening’s victory was a welcome encouragement, this result was more reflective of life at the top of the Central Division, where Metropolitan Police are now well positioned to go on and clinch the league title.
With Louie Boyle and Jojo Ampah having played for the under 19s on Wednesday, Max Goldsworthy and Seyi Akinwalere took their places in the starting line-up, with the other change being James Moore replacing Aaron Zziwa as he attends Uganda’s under 17s provisional squad meet.
Recent Woking signing Aaron Sings continued in goal for Met. Police with Woking honouring the existing agreement he had with them. Kick off was delayed for 30 minutes due to a kit colour clash.
Woking competed well in the early exchanges, Ollie Rigby a strong defensive presence, and Jack Tricker looking to set Woking on the attack with his forward passing. Amario Malhotra and Will Ledbury were again doing well in central midfield.
Half-an-hour passed before the first decisive action, and it was the visitors showing the pace and movement required to break the deadlock. Levi Samuels pass found Frankie Morton and his cross was volleyed home from 10 yards by Cameron Williams, the power on the strike defeating Moore.
Woking looked to respond, but with Jose Atienca and his colleagues breaking up play well they needed to be aware of the visitors’ play on the break, and it was the Met who claimed the next goal. With 42 minutes played Oliver White’s shot was deflected, ballooned over the defence, and fell to Morton, who volleyed home at the far post.
Half-time: Woking 0 – 2 Metropolitan Police
Woking made changes at the break, Joe Scanlon replacing Ledbury and Calum Mathieson coming on up front with Seyi Akinwalere moving to the left in place of the departing Tricker.
The changes almost had an immediate impact, Mathieson shooting wide from Akinwalere’s pass, but it was the visitors who were soon three to the good, a cross into the box challenged for by Rigby and a forward deflecting in to the net.
The Cards persevered, Roshan Kigozi seeing his drive well saved, before some hope was restored on 61 minutes. Sings was judged to have fouled Akinwalere in a penalty area scramble, and the Woking player took the spot-kick himself, with the ‘keeper going the wrong way as the ball went to his left.
A minute later Woking came close to a second, a great cross from Akinwalere setting up Mathieson for a first-time shot which hit the top of the bar. But five minutes later, with 68 gone, the match was effectively over as a contest.
A rather bemusing award of a penalty for what was judged to be a high-footed challenge gave Samuels the chance from 12 yards, he made no mistake, hitting low to his bottom left corner, with Moore going the other way.
Both defences were called on as the remainder of the time was played out, Ted Wallis for the Met and Rigby for Woking doing the most notable work. Whilst a Hayden Vally shot in added time was well saved by Sings.
The final scoreline was perhaps a little hard on Woking, but the result indicative of who was the stronger team. Woking now have two games remaining to finish the Isthmian League season as well as possible.
Woking: James Moore, Max Goldsworthy, Ollie Rigby, Joel Jennison-Leppa (Dillan Davies 54), Joe Frawley, Roshan Kigozi (Frankie Bushby 72), Will Ledbury (Joe Scanlon 46), Amario Malhotra ©, Jack Tricker (Calum Mathieson 46), Hayden Vally, Seyi Akinwalere. Unused substitute: Jack Roles (GK).
Goal: Akinwalere 61 pen.
Metropolitan Police: Aaron Sings, Levi Samuels (Devon Tacon 87), Micah Jarvis (Alfie Reed 85), Jose Atienca, Ted Wallis, Freddie Lees (Josh Bassey 35), Frankie Morton, Daghan Basaranoglu ©, Cameron Williams (Edward England 75), Oliver White (Jojo Stanley 82), Felipe Goncalves.
Goals: Williams 31, Morton 42, OG (Rigby) 48, Samuels 69.
Referee: Ian Oswald.
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:
Tuesday 18th February
Louis Pask, Midfielder, 2nd year – Camberley Town: Came on as a 64th minute substitute in the 0 – 1 defeat to Jersey Bulls in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Saturday 22nd February
Lucas Boxall, Midfield, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Was not involved in the 3 – 1 victory over Fleet Town in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Sam Brittain, Midfield, 2nd year – Virginia Water: Came on as a 71st minute substitute (when the score was 3 – 2) in the 3 – 2 victory over Harefield United in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division North (Step 5).
Tom Dryer, Forward, 2nd year – Westfield: The match against Binfield in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4) was postponed.
Bob Honey, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Kingstonian: Was not involved in the 5 – 1 victory at Sutton Common Rovers in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4).
Stanley Kyle, Forward, 2nd year – Sandhurst Town: The match at Guildford City in the Combined Counties League - Premier Division South (Step 5) was postponed.
Oliver Mason, Central Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Came on as a 90+2 minutes substitute in the 0 – 0 draw against Uxbridge in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4).
Henry McDonald, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Sheerwater: Was not involved in the 3 – 1 victory over Fleet Town in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Started and played 67 minutes of the 1 – 3 defeat to Jersey Bulls in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Byron Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Came on as a 77th minute substitute (when the score was 2 – 1) in the 3 – 1 victory against Fleet Town in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Louis Pask, Midfielder, 2nd year – Camberley Town: Came on as a 66th minute substitute in the 1 – 1 draw at Spelthorne Sports in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Aidy Silverstein, Central Defence, 2nd year - Hamble Club: The match against Stoneham in the Wessex League - Premier Division (Step 5) was postponed.
Harry White, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Sandhurst Town: The match at Guildford City in the Combined Counties League - Premier Division South (Step 5) was postponed.