Academy Review - Week 3
Written by Ian TilleyUpcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 2nd September 2024
Wednesday 4th September
11:30 – Woking U17 v Hertford Town U17; National League Alliance – Division E
Woking College, Rydens Way
14:00 – Dorking U19 v Woking U19; National League Alliance–Academy South
Meadowbank, Mill Lane, Dorking
Thursday 5th September
19:45 – Abbey Rangers U21 v Woking U21; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Addlestone Moor, Addlestone
Sunday 8th September
14:00 – Woking Women v Abbey Rangers Women; Southern Region – Division One South
Woking College, Rydens Way
For up-to-date information on fixtures please refer to the Woking Football Club Academy twitter page, and the Woking Football Club Women’s twitter page.
Match Reports – Week commencing 26th August
Thursday 29th August
Woking U21 2 - 0 Metropolitan Police U21; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Following last weeks’ 0 – 0 draw with Bromley, Woking’s second years continued their good start to the season with victory over another traditionally strong opponent. Woking made 2 changes to their starting XI, Mikey Verga coming back in to goals, and Lucas Boxall replacing the suspended JJ Young.
A friendly greeting between Harvey Brook and Ollie White before kick-off, and then Brook was quickly in to his tireless closing down of the opposition defence. But it was Verga who would be the first goalkeeper called in to action, saving down to his left and grateful to Aidy Silverstein who was on-hand to clear the rebound.
The demands of central-midfield play are constant, Henry McDonald doing well in winning the ball and passing forwards, leading to Woking winning corners, but on 10 minutes finding his pocket picked by Arnold Mam, a challenging opponent throughout, who went for a long-range lob, but hit his shot over the crossbar.
On 16 minutes Verga was in action again, tipping the ball over the bar smartly as Jean-Paul Hue-Sang met Daghan Basaranoglu’s corner with a firm header. Metropolitan Police were proving to be a challenging opponent as a whole, and Louis Pask and Sam Brittain were stopping attacks developing down the wings as often as they were able to get forwards themselves.
On 22 minutes Verga was quick off his line to deal with a through ball, and on 26 minutes good play from Stefan van Wijngaarden forced a Woking corner, which resulted in van Wijngaarden seeing his shot saved after a goalmouth scramble. Although not dominating, Woking were creating chances.
With half an hour played Silverstein got a shot away when the ball fell to him from a corner, but Luca Salomon was equal to it as he dived down to his left. On 32 minutes Woking came closer yet, Galea-Elston, whose dribbling out of defence is a delight, played the ball wide to van Wijngaarden, and his low cross narrowly evaded the onrushing Brook. The work-rate of the two forwards in closing down their opponents would surely bear dividends, if not for them, then for their teammates.
As the half drew to a close Tommy Seale and Pask combined and the latter’s low cross once again evaded Brook’s attempt to add a finishing touch. Although, at the other end, Woking were somewhat lucky to clear Basaranoglu’s free-kick, and relieved to see White’s header go wide when the ball was played back in.
Half-time: Woking 0 – 0 Metropolitan Police
Woking had the better of the early exchanges in the second-half, and Brook was unlucky to see his neat shot go wide after the ball fell to him from a goalmouth scramble. With 56 minutes played Woking made a triple-substitution, Tom Dryer, returning from being involved with the first team, taking Brittain’s place on the left side, Stanley Kyle replacing Boxall and Byron Mitchell replacing van Wijngaarden.
A good spell for Metropolitan Police followed, Levi Samuels and Hue-Sang both shooting wide, and the Woking midfield not always exerting their usual level of control over proceedings. Both sides were finding it difficult to get a fluent passing game going.
On 68 minutes Dryer headed over from a McDonald corner. Then Kyle drew a great save from Salomon, and Galea-Easton headed wide from a corner. Woking would soon have the lead, but not before Tom Gardner had put in a fine challenge on Samuels, and Basaranoglu had put a half-chance over the bar.
The goal came on 74 minutes, the clinical final pass Woking had been seeking was delivered by Mitchell, and Dryer took the chance well. It looked like he had a lot to do from the corner of the 18- yard box, but Salomon made an ill-judged rush from his line and Dryer was able to fire in to the empty net.
Roles were nearly reversed two minutes later, Dryer setting up Mitchell to shoot at the ‘keeper. For Woking the job was not yet done, Gardner covering well as Hue-Sang threatened to break free, and Silverstein heading clear as Met. Police sought an equaliser. Woking responded by replacing Brook with Harrison Stevens, Stevens joining Seale in holding the midfield, with McDonald playing in front of them, and Kyle returning to a more familiar forward role, moves which gave Woking better control of midfield.
However, they were nearly undone with 10 minutes to go, Pask turning in to trouble and Harvey Ball bringing a fine save out of Verga which maintained Woking’s lead. Victory would be clinched on 88 minutes, through a fine passing move. Stevens and Seale were involved as the ball was played wide to Pask, whose cross was dispatched from the edge of the area in to the top corner by Mitchell. A fine team goal, and a quality finish, to secure the 3 points.
A very good 2 – 0 win for Woking, just edging a tight game, and leaving their strong opponent disappointed not to have got anything out of the game.
Woking: Mikey Verga, George Galea-Elston, Tom Gardner (c), Aidy Silverstein, Louis Pask, Tommy Seale, Lucas Boxall (Stanley Kyle 56), Henry McDonald, Sam Brittain (Tom Dryer 56), Stefan van Wijngaarden (Byron Mitchell 56), Harvey Brook (Harrison Stevens 79). Subs not used: Bob Honey (GK), Bobby Lawrence.
Goals: Dryer 74, Mitchell 88.
Metropolitan Police: Luca Salomon, Daghan Basaranoglu, Ben Matthews, Cristian Aleman, Paolo Sturt, Xander Perkins, Arnold Mam, Daniel Amouh-Agyemang (Harvey Ball 62), Seldi Nano (c) (Levi Samuels 46), Jean-Paul Hue-Sang, Ollie White (Jordan Bridge 70).
Referee: David Cox
Sunday 1st September
Wimborne Town Ladies 0 - 0 Woking Women; Southern Region Women’s Football League – Division One South. Wyatt Homes Stadium, Wimborne Town Football Club.
A game of missed chances with Gaby Hobday, Laura Mitchell, Alicia Christie, Trudy Bryan-Kerr, Louise Curr and Bryony Gibbs all coming close without breaking the deadlock.
Whilst Amy Jenkins was equal to stop anything that came her way in the Woking goal.
Woking: Amy Jenkins, Fran Cotter (c), Sophie Burgess, Laura Mitchell, Gemma Staple, Helen Brown, Alicia Christie, Trudy Bryan-Kerr, Gaby Hobday, Beth Anders, Bryony Gibbs. Subs: Louise Curr, Grace Kelly, Maddisen Eggleton, Eleanor Roch, Jasmina Vanvooren.
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:
Monday 26th August
Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Came on as 81st minute substitute in 3 –1 win at Binfield in the Isthmian South Central Division.
Lui Edwards, Forward, – Westfield: Played 87 minutes of the 3 – 1 win over Leatherhead in the Isthmian South Central Division.
Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year - Knaphill: Came on as 57th minute substitute in the 0 – 0 draw at Spelthorne Sports in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
Saturday 31st August
Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Came on at half-time in the 2 – 1 win over Sutton Common Rovers in the Isthmian South Central Division, his cross setting up the winning goal.
Lui Edwards, Forward, - Westfield: Played the full game in the 0 – 2 defeat to Chatham Town in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round. Saw the goalkeeper make a very good save from his best chance.
Ben Mitchell, Forward, 3rd year – Knaphill: Played 72 minutes of the 1 – 1 draw with Alton in the Combined Counties Premier Division South, being taken off after he had received a yellow card.