Academy Review - Week 2
Written by Ian Tilley19:30 – Woking U21 v Metropolitan Police U21; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Sunday 1st September
14:00 – Wimborne Town Ladies v Woking Women; Southern Region Women’s Football League – Division One South.
For up-to-date information on fixtures please refer to the Woking Football Club Academy X (twitter) page, and Woking FC Women X (twitter) page.
Match Reports – Week commencing 19th August
Monday 19th August
South Park Reigate U18 1 - 5 Woking U18; Isthmian Football League – Youth Central Division
King George’s Field, Whitehall Lane, South Park
After last season’s first years finished as Champions of the West Division, a reorganisation of the Divisions sees this years’ first years competing in the Central Division. This should be, overall, a sterner test, with more difficult opponents to follow. That said, this was still a very impressive performance from a new team playing their first competitive fixture together.
Unfortunately, the game did not get off to a good start, Woking’s Timothy Francis was chasing down the ball when, under a rather firm challenge, he twisted his knee, the injury forcing him from the field of play after 4 minutes, and to leave later on crutches, we wish him a speedy return to action.
The next minute brought loud appeals for a Woking penalty as Jayden Foss slid in to block a shot on the line, and this would not be the only contentious handball decision of the evening, but the turning down of the appeal only brought South Park brief respite, and Jayden Foss, having injured himself in the process, also had to leave the game a few minutes later.
On eight minutes Seyi Akinwalare, previously with Oxford United, forced a save from Kieran Bassom in the South Park goal. On 12 minutes he had his first goal. Substitute Calum Mathieson had taken no time to get in to the game, and his through ball was perfectly played across the artificial surface for Akinwalare to run on and finish emphatically.
Two minutes later Akinwalare had his second, with superb control, turn and hit across Bassom in to the bottom corner, too strong for the marking defender and too powerful for the ‘keeper.
Woking’s excellent passing game was a feature throughout, and a fine one-two between Mathieson and Louie Taylor-Boyle led to the former shooting wide. With Thomas Ward leading the passing from the back, and Will Ledbury and Bruno Dackombe combining well in midfield, Woking were enjoying an open game.
Woking did need to beware of being over-confident, and Isaac Agyen, Kyle Johnson-Kamara, Archie Foss and Aidan Hopkins will all have felt they could have done better with the opportunities on goal that came their way.
Ledbury, who has come to Woking from QPR, was often the starting point for Woking’s attacks, and Ward and Mathieson both forced fine saves from Bassom. Whilst Akinwalare may have had a third if he had gambled on Bassom failing to block a cross.
South Park’s intention to play a ‘box’ formation in midfield had not created the space they would have hoped for, but this was largely due to excellent closing down from Woking’s hard-working midfield. With Taylor-Boyle and Jack Tricker as wing-backs both stopping their opponents’ attacks, and creating space for their teammates to play. As the half drew to a close Woking were rightly in the ascendency.
Half-time: South Park Reigate 0 – 2 Woking
South Park had the better of the opening exchanges in the second-half, Jack Roles, who seemed to be growing in confidence, called in to action in the Woking goal, and Agyen’s corner a danger.
Woking responded by increasing their lead on 56 minutes. Dackombe the beneficiary of Akinwalare’s set-up play, with a fine hit in to the bottom corner from the edge of the area. The confidence in the Woking squad as they celebrated is encouraging to see, hopefully it will stand them in good stead.
The Cards pressed for a fourth. Ledbury’s corner somehow evading a finishing touch, and Akinwalere just unable to reach the ball with an outstretched leg. On 64 minutes Tricker forced a diving tip around the post, and two minutes later the lead was extended. Akinwalere with a dynamic run to the bye-line, and the awareness to pull the ball back to give Mathieson a tap-in.
Two minutes later came the second, and somewhat bewildering, significant handball decision of the evening. Dillan Davies stumbled as he controlled the ball and put his arm to the ground to steady himself, and after some thought the referee ruled that the ball then hitting his arm should lead to a penalty. Phillip Glen took the chance well, Roles diving the wrong way.
This briefly unsettled Woking, and South Park rallied, but Roles was able to steady the ship, and Woking resumed control as the game moved to a fitting finale, their passing once more to the fore.
The 90th minute brought Woking their fifth, and Akinwalare his hat-trick. Once again Ledbury was involved in the build-up, his great pass found Mathieson, whose quality wing-play saw the ball pulled back to Akinwalare, who finished neatly from six yards. A fine team-goal to round off a very good night’s work for the Cards.
South Park: Kieran Bassom, Aidan Hopkins, Kyle Johnson-Kamara, Jayden Foss (c) (Harvey Simmons 9), George Kumposcht, Seb Parsons (Michael Nelson 63), Archie Charge, Isaac Agyen (Oliver Findlon 63), Phillip Glen, Archie Foss, Josh Sinclair. Sub not used: Charlie Ellis (GK).
Goal: Glen 68 pen.
Woking: Jack Roles, Thomas Ward (c), Dillan Davies, Joel Jennison-Leppa (Kai Baverstock 66), Louie Taylor-Boyle, Will Ledbury, Joe Scanlon (Amario Malhotra 62), Jack Tricker (Frankie Bushby 75), Bruno Dackombe, Seyi Akinwalare, Timothy Francis (Calum Mathieson 4). Sub not used: James Moore (GK).
Goals: Akinwalare 12, 14, 90; Dackombe 56; Mathieson 66.
Referee: Thomas Murray.
Thursday 22nd August
Woking U21 0 - 0 Bromley U23; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Although Bromley finished above Woking in last season’s final league table, both games between the two finished in a draw, including a memorable 5 – 5 at Bromley. This was to be another closely fought game, with Woking matching opponents who usually select from an older squad, and one that is now part of the set-up of a League Two club.
Woking’s only change to their starting line-up from the 3 - 0 win at Cobham in their previous outing was Harry White taking Mikey Verga’s place in goal. Harry was to play a significant role in the securing of the well-earned point.
The Woking ‘keeper was quickly in to the action, with Bromley starting strongly and Emmanuel Deh forcing White in to a good save at his near post. David Barrie-Diaz had made the chance with a strong run through the midfield, and his skill and industry would keep the Woking defence on their toes throughout.
Within the first ten minutes each of the three centre-backs was to the fore. George Galea-Elston with a fine interception, Aidy Silverstein seeking to launch attacks from the back, and Tom Gardner reading the game well, making strong clearances and holding the defensive line.
Woking’s team ethic was evident, with Harvey Brook the first line of defence as he closed down the opposition from his forward position. Galea-Elston's and Gardner’s sound reading of the game was evident again, and with Henry MacDonald playing a little deeper in midfield, Woking were exerting more control.
Bromley were not easily deterred and on 23 minutes White made a superb point-blank save following a corner. Whilst Silverstein was also called upon with a dominant defensive header. The defender was also involved in a good passing move with Brook and Louis Pask as Woking sought to counter, with Pask on the right and Sam Brittain on the left giving Woking width and balance.
As the game passed the half-hour mark, Woking were getting closer to a breakthrough, Stefan Van Winjgaarden going close with a snap-shot after good work from Brook, and Pask’s free-kick bringing a good diving stop out of Monty Conway in the Bromley goal. The free-kick resulting from a challenge that saw Juan Manrique booked and Tommy Seale requiring treatment, and a replacement jersey without a blood stain.
Woking’s defensive line held well, with Bromley finding it hard to get in behind, and their long, diagonal balls being effectively dealt with. Deh was a powerful opponent but Woking were closing him down well, and he was often not able to bring his teammates in to play.
As Bromley looked like they might finish the half the stronger, covering challenges and interceptions from Seale and Silverstein kept Woking secure, with White quick off his line when required, whilst Seale, MacDonald and Van Wijngaarden were involved in promising attacking play. With Brook and JJ Young also looking to influence the play.
With the half drawing to a close Manrique was to regret his earlier caution, as a bad challenge on MacDonald saw a second caution, and his dismissal from the field of play.
Half-time: Woking 0 – 0 Bromley
Bromley’s response to going down to 10 men was to continue to attack, Deh seeing another effort deflected wide. But Woking were not to be beaten. As the game reached the hour mark Woking replaced MacDonald, Brook and Van Wijngaarden with Lucas Boxall, Stanley Kyle and Byron Mitchell. The changes enabled them to continue to compete in a fast, open game, and Pask won a free-kick, but his own effort was effectively blocked by the Bromley defensive wall.
Bromley also made changes, with Deh perhaps reflecting that he could look to bring others in to the game more. Increasingly Bromley were leaving one-up and Woking were still getting forward. Elston found himself called upon in both attack and defence, as the game looked like either side could find a winner.
Woking came close on 76 minutes, Young’s cross met by Kyle, whose header went narrowly over. Then, on 80 minutes, Bromley looked sure to score, but could not find a finish, with more good work from White keeping them at bay.
On 85 minutes the game became 10 v 10. JJ Young, who may have had a quieter match than he would hope for, made a sliding challenge in midfield that was adjudged to be a second caution, and saw him leaving the pitch early.
There was still time for late goal chances. With Kyle playing his part in helping out the defence, as Bromley came close to a winner through Nathan Paul-Lavaly, who put a very good opportunity wide. Mitchell also put a chance wide when he may have been better advised to pass to the overlapping Pask.
The final action came in the 93rd minute. Kyle winning a free-kick, which he took himself. But the wall was able to block, somewhat due to them only being 5 yards away. So, a hard-fought and even contest was done, with a good-spirit and mutual appreciation shared by all at the final whistle.
Woking: Harry White, George Galea-Elston (Harrison Stevens 82), Tom Gardner (c), Aidy Silverstein, Louis Pask, Tommy Seale, Henry MacDonald (Lucas Boxall 58), Sam Brittain, Jermaine Junior Young, Harvey Brook (Stanley Kyle 58), Stefan Van Wijngaarden (Byron Mitchell 58). Subs not used: Lewis Mouland (GK), Jayden Smith, Bobby Lawrence.
Bromley: Monty Conway, Freddie Fletcher, Oscar Williams (Dennis Kelmendi 73), Dylan Cave, Jadon Amoah (Nathan Paul-Lavaly 63), Will Gutierrez, Joe Aris (c) (George Penn 88), Marc Nouble (Frankie Moralee 73), David Barrie-Diaz, Juan Manrique, Emmanuel Deh (Danai Hassan 65). Subs not used: Rex Porter (GK), Kassim Dagher.
Referee: Neil Rolland.
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:
Saturday 24th August
Lui Edwards, Forward, – Westfield: Played 76 minutes of the Isthmian League South Central Division match at Uxbridge, scoring the first goal in a 4 – 3 victory. Lui now has 3 goals in 2 games.
Please note that on Monday 26th August Westfield have a 12:30 kick off against Leatherhead at Woking Park.
Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Played 73 minutes of the FA Trophy Preliminary Round match against Ashford Town, which Ascot won 4 – 3 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1 – 1 draw.
Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Came on as a 57th minute substitute in the Combined Counties Premier Division South 3 – 2 win over Horley Town. The rebound from Mitchell’s saved shot being netted for the winner by James Glover.