Academy Bulletin 25/26 - Week 28
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly PorterUpcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 27th April 2026
Tuesday 28th April
19:45 – Knaphill v Westfield (Woking U17): Allied Counties – West Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Wednesday 29th April
TBC – Woking U18 v Dorking Wanderers: National League Alliance – Division F
Woking College, Rydens Way
14:00 – Eastleigh v Woking U19 (EDS): National Academy League – South Division
Eastleigh FC, Stoneham Lane, SO50 9HT
Thursday 30th April
19:30 Woking U18 v Abbey Rangers: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
For further information on fixtures please refer to the Woking Football Club Academy ‘X’ page.
Information is also available on the fulltime.thefa.com website.
The Academy website is wokingcitc.org
All of these bulletins for the current season, along with the photo gallery from the County Cup Final, can be found on the Woking FC website by selecting the menu of options and going to ‘News’.
Match Reports and Team Details – Week commencing 20th April 2026
Monday 20th April
Dorking Wanderers 1 – 7 Woking U19 (EDS): National Academy League – South Division
Meadowbank, Mill Lane
Report from Holly Porter
A busy period for the EDS saw them get another double gameweek underway with a dominant display against Dorking.
“We’re really pleased we managed to convert as many chances as we did”, reflected academy manager Matt Winter. “Today it was really nice to show our clinical side.”
It took just four minutes for Page to take the lead, seeing him net within the opening five minutes for the second consecutive clash, following his second-minute opener against Wealdstone.
It was Lewis who broke into the box and took aim, with Dorking’s shot-stopper making a save which pushed the ball into Page’s path, from which he struck home.
With the assist again, Lewis drove forward in the 12th minute and found Trickett in the centre of the box, with the latter slotting home to double the advantage, etching his name onto the scoresheet for the third consecutive clash.
The fast start translated into a first-half performance where Woking continued to look more likely to score, with their third coming on 30 minutes, courtesy of Page’s second, which clipped the inside of the far post to cross the line.
A quick move forward from Dorking then saw their forward tackled to the turf on 33 minutes, seeing a penalty awarded, and then converted, with a strike into the bottom left corner, reducing the deficit.
The Cards looked to restore their three-goal advantage before the half, with Lewis striking from the edge of the area in the 36th minute, an effort which deflected off target. The resulting corner saw Page go close to his third, as the ball fell nicely to him in the goalmouth, but there was no way through the Dorking blockade.
Half-time: Dorking Wanderers 1 – 3 Woking
Woking were forced to wait until after the break for their fourth, but following the restart, it took Parkes just four minutes to net. He hit a free-kick from just outside the area, which took a friendly deflection off the Dorking wall to find the bottom corner.
As with the second goal, it was Lewis and Trickett that linked up for the fifth, after good build-up play from the Cards saw Lewis deliver low from the right side, with Trickett turning in from the goalmouth in the 60th minute, making it five in three for the forward.
Woking continued to limit Dorking’s chances, but Verga was called upon in the 66th minute, with an excellent reaction to palm a close-range effort over the bar.
As the game reached the latter stages, Page secured his hat-trick after a driving run forward in the 80th minute saw his first attempt blocked, but he reacted well to pick up the loose ball and direct around the recovering defence to make it six.
Two minutes later, Patterson netted the last in an eight-goal thriller, slotting home from close range to net in consecutive games for the first time this season, leaving Dorking dejected.
Woking: Mikey Verga, Bailey Cotton, Sonny Parkes, Josh Solecki, Kemall Wilson (Chris Rangel 81’), Joel Jennison-Leppa, Jalil Page, Leo Christophers (Kooshan Hayati 68’), Joden Trickett (Jojo Ampah 78’), Quincy Patterson ©, Jack Lewis. Unused substitute: Aaron Sings (GK).
Goals: Page (4’, 30’, 80’), Trickett (16’, 60’), Parkes (49’), Patterson (82’).
Westfield (Woking U17) 2 – 1 Alton: Allied Counties – West Division
Westfield FC, Woking Park
Report from Ian Tilley
The penultimate fixture of Westfield’s Allied Counties season brought them a narrow victory.
This was one of those evenings where neither side really got into a rhythm of play and the whole affair was rather scrappy.
Leighton Spence, one of the under 16 players continuing with the first-year scholars, featured in much of Westfield’s brightest play, but it was Alton who took the lead on 34 minutes.
Josh Gardner forced Daejharn Wells into a mistake, and his cross was knocked home joyfully by Reece Beatie.
The lead lasted a minute, Harry Munden playing the ball through to Zack McColl-Eljanfali, and when the defensive challenge broke to him, he was able to pass the ball into the bottom corner.
Westfield looked to go ahead, a very good pass from Logan Jacques playing in Munden, but his shot was wide. Then Alfie Moult’s fine cross was headed wide by McColl-Eljanfali.
Alton responded and nearly had another before the break, but Beatie’s shot was deflected wide.
Half-time: Westfield 1 – 1 Alton
Westfield had the better chances of the second-half, but it took them until the 84th minute to find their winner.
Spence, Jacques and Munden were involved in some of the most promising moves and on 74 minutes Ben Bailey’s shot from the edge of the area was well tipped over by Casey Belfour.
Alton’s task got more difficult when Alfie Brown was sent off on 78 minutes, his attitude towards the referee appeared to be his downfall.
Westfield’s substitutes gave them renewed purpose and the goal, when it came, followed good play from Moult, Bailey and McColl-Eljanfali. Munden’s first shot was saved, and then his well hit shot from 15 yards flew in off the underside of the bar.
Good passing from substitute Finn Salman looked to prompt a third, but Westfield were happy to settle for their 2 – 1 victory.
Westfield: Callum Collins, Alfie Moult ©, Dylan Hosali, Byron O’Donnell (Jack Kelly 70), Daejharn Wells; Leighton Spence (Finley Salman 70), Ben Bailey, Logan Jacques (George Loader 66), Nat Flemming (Max Thomas 76), Harry Munden, Zack McColl-Eljanfali. Unused substitute: Harry MacFadyen (GK).
Goals: McColl-Eljanfali 35, Munden 84.
Wednesday 22nd April
Woking U18 2 – 3 Bromley: National League Alliance – Division F
Woking College, Rydens Way
Report from Ian Tilley
Woking only being able to name two substitutes was indicative of the squad being stretched and what would be a disjointed performance.
Bromley nearly had the lead within two minutes, Woking lucky to see the ball go all the way across their six-yard box without a finishing touch.
Woking competed well and Bromley’s opening goal on 36 minutes was unlucky for MacFadyen, a shot hitting the bar and bouncing down and in off the ‘keeper.
The Cards responded well and levelled five minutes later, Bailey’s shot flicked in at close range by McColl-Eljanfali, with the referee happy he was onside.
Half-time: Woking 1 – 1 Bromley
For the second-half Richards replaced Mattingley (who had another start the next day) and was soon into the action, playing in Munden whose shot was saved.
Bromley went ahead again on 50 minutes, the penalty awarded for the ball bouncing up and striking an arm seemed harsh, but the taker wasn’t complaining, sending MacFadyen the wrong way.
Woking almost levelled within two minutes, Richards free-kick looked close but it had hit the wheel behind the post. Indeed, most of Woking’s best play was now coming through the first years’ player of the season.
On 65 minutes MacFadyen made a good save with his leg to keep Woking in the game whilst they continued in search of the equaliser.
It came on 81 minutes, Pereira and Bailey involved in the set up and Munden driving home smartly from the edge of the penalty area.
Both sides went in search of a winner and Woking were to learn a painful lesson about concentrating until the final whistle, Bromley having too much room to get in a low cross which was finished well. It may have been the fourth minute of a minimum of three to be added, but the referee exercised his prerogative to play on if a side is attacking.
So, a possible second place finish is now out of reach for Woking with just two games in Division F remaining.
Woking: Harry MacFadyen, Alfie Gales, Dylan Hosali, Brian Rai, Daejharn Wells; George Mattingley © (Will Richards 46), Arthur Pereira, Tyrell Ejakita (Jack McGibbon 57), Ben Bailey, Harry Munden, Zack McColl-Eljanfali.
Goals: McColl-Eljanfali 41, Munden 81.
Thursday 23rd April
Woking U18 5 – 1 Slough Town (Half-time: 2 – 1): Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
Woking took the lead through Callow but were pegged back by a Slough breakaway before Callow restored the lead before half-time.
Woking continued their dominance in the second-half and will hope to finish the season in second place, the League table still subject to adjustments for teams not completing their fixtures.
Woking: Jools Lacey, Jack McGibbon, Thomas Ward (Ollie Rigby 57), Freddie Greenstreet (Joe Frawley 60); George Mattingley, Leo Christophers (Amario Malhotra 75), Louie Boyle, Frankie Bushby, Seyi Akinwalere, Joe Callow.
Goals: Callow x 4, Malhotra.
Woking U17 2 – 2 Walton & Hersham: Isthmian League – Central Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Report from Ian Tilley
A dramatic finale to the Isthmian League season saw Woking finish in third position behind Kingstonian and Walton & Hersham.
The game went ahead after Woking coach Frazer Fowler, with the help of fellow coach Callum Archibald, got out the wheelbarrow and spade and used topsoil to repair the worst patches of the Knaphill pitch.
The early stages saw two Woking players requiring treatment for head injuries, McColl-Eljanfali was able to continue but Will Hurp, bleeding from a mouth wound caused by a tooth going into his cheek, had to retire.
Some real quality led to Woking’s opener on 27 minutes, McColl-Eljanfali played in Richards and his excellent shot was well saved for a corner. It looked like Richards had over hit the restart until Manly did very well to head it back into the box from beyond the far post, where Leedham finished smartly with a sweeping half-volley.
Woking’s individual and collective defensive play was a feature of the remainder of the half, with Allan making two particularly good saves when called on.
Johnson did play in both Richards, to shoot wide from a tight angle, and ex-Walton player Thomas, whose cross-shot drifted wide, but Woking could not increase their lead before the break.
Half-time: Woking 1 – 0 Walton & Hersham
What had been a hard-fought game grew more tense on 51 minutes, a fracas developing and Walton’s Hewson sent off for kicking out at an opponent and Allan booked for pushing over an opponent.
On 58 minutes Allan made a good save from a shot which reared up at an awkward angle, then on the hour Woking doubled their lead, a rocket fired diagonally from the edge of the area into the top corner by Richards, a textbook strike to celebrate his players’ player of the season award.
2 – 0 down and down to ten players, with some of their usual squad unavailable, Walton looked deflated, but they regrouped and fought back well.
On 72 minutes they had a goal back, Woking were unlucky that a deflected interception fell in Walton’s favour, but the chance was well taken, their striker finding the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Walton continued to get into attacking positions and on 86 minutes a neat pass in the penalty area was well controlled and finished. Allan reacted, grabbing the collar of the celebrating scorer and receiving his second yellow card.
Substitute ‘keeper Collins was quickly onto the pitch, and it was Woking who looked more likely to find a winner, but it was not to be, and the result that would see them finish above Walton in the league table eluded them.
My apologies to Walton’s players for not being able to decipher the writing on your teamsheet.
Woking: Joshua Allan, Casper Hammond, Luke Manly ©, Sonnie Leedham, Will Hurp (Byron 0’Donnell 13); Finley Salman (Arthur Pereira 81), Harvey Johnson, Max Thomas, Will Richards, George Loader (Callum Collins 88), Zack McColl-Eljanfali (Harry Munden 64).
Goals: Leedham 23, Richards 60.
Friday 24th April
Woking U19 (EDS) 4 – 1 Oxford City: National Academy League – South Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
Report from Jack Brunning
A ruthless first-half performance saw Woking cruise to victory against Oxford City to keep their impressive unbeaten home record alive. Scoring four in the first 45 killed the game off as a contest, and Woking were in the ascendancy from then onwards.
Academy manager Matt Winter described the first-half action as ‘‘Probably close to our best, a massively pleasing performance.’’ It took the Cards just 12 minutes to open the scoring, when Solecki’s header trickled past Oxford’s ‘keeper who was caught in no man’s land following a dangerous long-range delivery from Rangel.
The opening goal set the tempo for more positive play from Woking. Patterson doubled Woking’s lead with a superb free-kick, earned by Lewis’ drive forward past three players. From around 30 yards out, Patterson’s strike went up and over the wall into the top corner – unsavable for the Oxford goalkeeper.
Matt Winter joked in his post-match interview ‘‘We chatted before that if Quincy didn’t score that he was off free-kicks as he had missed a few.’’ Fair to say, after that spectacular strike he might just be kept on free-kicks for a little bit longer.
At 2-0 down, Oxford grew into the game with a few efforts going narrowly wide of Verga’s goal being a close call for Woking.
Woking’s dominance resumed in the final minutes of the first half when they got their third. It was brilliant intricate play from Patterson and Hayati before Cotton pulled it back and Ampah was on hand to clinically roll it into the bottom-left corner.
Even as the first half edged into stoppage time, there was still time for one more. Lewis burst clear of the defence with another driving run, this time slotting the ball in the bottom corner – a deserved goal for him after a brilliant 45 minutes.
Half-time: Woking 4 – 0 Oxford City
Mpoy replaced Solecki at the break as Woking tried to see out the performance and add to an excellent first-half display. Ampah almost got Woking’s fifth, when his effort from the edge of the box just missed the top-right corner.
Mpoy looked threatening when he came on, nearly converting a shot that was eventually spilt by Oxford’s goalkeeper.
In a half that had less goalmouth action compared to the first, the visitors grabbed the only goal on 77 minutes. A good turn and shot into the top-corner only proved to be a consolation for Oxford and denied Verga from getting his clean sheet.
All in all, it was an excellent performance from the EDS to maintain their unbeaten home record with just one home game left against Southend. ‘‘A really good result, and a really good week’’ said Matt Winter. The Cards now turn their attention to Wednesday’s trip to Eastleigh as they look to carry this momentum on the road.
Woking: Mikey Verga, Bailey Cotton, Sonny Parkes, Josh Solecki (Malachy Mpoy 46’), Chris Rangel, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Jack Lewis, Quincy Patterson ©, Jojo Ampah, Kooshan Hayati, Jayden Hudson-Odoi (Freddie Greenstreet 73’). Unused substitute: Aaron Sings (GK).
Goals: Solecki (12’), Patterson (16’), Ampah (44’), Lewis (45’).
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch
Saturday 25th April
Joel Jennison-Leppa, Defender, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Unfortunately, Sheerwater lost their Southern Combination Challenge Cup quarter-final at Reading City 1 – 2. Joel’s involvement to be confirmed.
Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Binfield: Binfield were already safe from relegation from the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4) following Littlehampton Town’s defeat to Hayes & Yeading United in midweek, so Quincy could miss the 0 – 3 defeat at Bognor Regis Town to be at Kingfield.
Sam Saward, Goalkeeper, EDS – Horley Town: Played the full game in the 4 – 2 victory at Fleet Town in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5) Play-Off Final. Congratulations to Sam and to Horley Town who win promotion to the Isthmian League (Step 4) for the first time in their 130-year history.
Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Abbey Rangers: Having been on the bench for Woking v Halifax Town Joden started the later kick-off on the bench for Abbey in their Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup quarter-final against Epsom & Ewell which they unfortunately lost 0 – 3.
Other News
Congratulations to our 2025/26 player of the season award winners:
First Years – Players’ Player of the Season: Will Richards.
Second Years – Players’ Player of the Season: Leo Christophers.
Third Years – Players’ Player of the Season: Kamall Wilson.
Staff Player of the Season: Quincy Patterson.
Forthcoming fixture – Woking U16s (boys) National League Cup Final, Saturday 16th May – Kidderminster Harriers v Woking, to be played at Macclesfield FC.
League fixture (home) details for the 2025/26 season
EDS, National League Under 19 Academy South Division. Midweek, daytime, at either Westfield Football Club or Woking College.
Woking play in the Premier Division of the Suburban Football League. Whilst there is not an age limit for this League most clubs view it as a predominantly youth league, and Woking field a team based on second years, with some first years, and some from the EDS. Usually Knaphill FC, 19:30, Thursday.
The National League structure also offers Woking a place in Division F of their Alliance Leagues. This team is largely made up of second years. Woking College, Wednesday, daytime.
Woking continue in the Central Division of the Isthmian League Youth system. The league is for under 18s, although in recent seasons Woking have fielded a team largely made up of first years. Knaphill FC, 19:30, Thursday.
Westfield play in the Allied Counties Youth League – West Division. This season they are represented by Woking U17. Westfield FC, Woking Park, 19:30, usually Monday.