Academy Bulletin 26/27 - Week 2
Written by Ian TilleyAcademy Bulletin: Week Two. Week commencing 17th August 2026
Upcoming Fixtures for August 2026
Wednesday 19th August
11:00 – U17/U18 v Kinetic Foundation: Friendly
Martin Tyler Performance Centre (MTPC), Woking College, Rydens Way
14:00 – U19 (EDS) v Tonbridge Angels: Friendly
MTPC, Woking College, Rydens Way
Friday 21st August
19:45 – Cobham v Woking U18: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Reg Madgwick Stadium, Leg O’Mutton Field, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham, KT11 3EP
Monday 24th August
19:45 – Guildford City v Woking U17: Allied Counties Youth League – East Division
Guildford Spectrum, Parkway, Guildford, GU1 1UP
Wednesday 26th August
19:45 – Metropolitan Police v Woking U17: Isthmian Youth League Cup – First Round
Imber Court, Ember Lane, East Molesey, KT8 0BT
Thursday 27th August
19:45 – Woking U18 v Corinthian Casuals: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
MTPC, Woking College, Rydens Way
Woking U19 (EDS) begin their National Academy League South Division fixtures on Wednesday 2nd September.
Woking U18 begin their National Academy Alliance League Division F fixtures on Wednesday 9th September.
Woking U17 begin their Isthmian Youth League West Division fixtures on Monday 7th September.
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 can be found on the Woking FC website by selecting the menu of options and going to ‘News’.
Match Report and Team Details – Week commencing Monday 10th August
Saturday 15th August
Bishop’s Stortford 2 – 5 Woking U18: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
The Grundon Community Stadium, Dunmow Road, Bishop’s Stortford
A winning start to the season for the second years, with goals coming quickly after a slow start.
Indeed, it was the hosts who came closest to opening the scoring, Onur Gungor, who caused problems for Woking’s defence throughout, shooting narrowly wide as Bishop’s broke from a Woking free kick.
After Joshua Allan, Byron O’Donnell and Luke Manly were all called into defensive action, it took a piece of individual brilliance to giving the Cards the lead on 16 minutes. Jayden Mansour ran directly at the heart of the Blues defence, passed the ball forwards to himself to beat the last defender, and slid home past the ‘keeper.
There were chances at both ends, but Bishop’s would rue a free-kick headed wide, as Woking doubled their lead on 21 minutes. The home ‘keeper wanted too long to clear his lines and was expertly closed down by Joe Callow, who steadied himself before slotting home the loose ball.
Stortford threatened again, but Woking’s next goal, on 35 minutes, underlined the difference good finishing makes. Max Thomas’ through ball controlled superbly on Will Richards’ chest as it came over his shoulder, before he had the presence of mind to neatly lob the onrushing custodian.
Two minutes later and it was four. Richards turning provider with a great run and pull back. Callow hit the ball in his stride, too quick for the ‘keeper to react. Whilst long-range shots may be more spectacular, Joe’s goalscoring instincts and natural finishing stand him in very good stead.
Bishop’s did get one back before the break, a very good finish as Gungor turned his man and shot firmly into the bottom corner.
Half-time: Bishop’s Stortford 1 – 4 Woking
Bishop’s made changes at half-time, including their ‘keeper, and the second-half was more evenly contested, with less mistakes from the hosts, and less chances for the visitors.
Woking started the half threateningly, Mansour and Richards looking to increase the lead, and the latter made the most of a Callow through ball, dribbling in the box and drawing a foul to earn a penalty. Callow took it to complete his hat-trick, waiting patiently for the substitute ‘keeper to commit to his right, before applying a Panenka style finish.
The Blues persisted well, both Gungor and Albert Miles close to punishing Woking for lapses in concentration. Richards did put a free-kick narrowly wide, but the one further goal of the half came from Bishop’s Beau Bunyan sending Allan the wrong way with an 88th minute penalty awarded for a mistimed challenge.
Woking will face stronger opponents, and need to improve their all-round play, but a win is a win, and this was an encouraging start to the season.
Woking: Joshua Allan, Casper Hammond, Luke Manly ©, Byron O’Donnell, Daejharn Wells, Nat Flemming, Arthur Pereira (Dylan Hosali 64), Max Thomas (Logan Jacques 67), Will Richards, Jayden Mansour (George Loader 77), Joe Callow (Zack McColl-Eljanfali 83). Unused substitute: Harry MacFadyen (GK).
Goals: Mansour 16, Callow 21, 37, 51 pen, Richards 35.
Other News
An update on this season’s Elite Development Squad (EDS)
We continue to build on last season’s inaugural year with our new group of Third Years/Under 19s, which aims to continue to provide a pathway to the Clubs’ First Team Squad.
At the time of writing the ‘26/27 EDS is made up as follows:
Player, Position, Previous Club
George Hill, Goalkeeper, Corinthian Casuals: George is now dual registered with, and also playing for, Kingstonian.
Aaron Sings, Goalkeeper, Woking Academy
Dom West, Goalkeeper, Camberley Town: Having spent pre-season with the Woking First Team squad Dom is now dual registered with, and also playing for, Binfield.
Louie Boyle, Right Back, Woking Academy
Dillan Davies, Centre Back, Woking Academy
Joel Jennison-Leppa, Centre Back, Woking Academy: Dual registered, as he was last season, with Sheerwater – made his first appearance of this season on Saturday 15th August as a substitute after 40 minutes.
Eddie Scott, Centre Back, Woking Academy: Dual registered with Tadley Calleva – made his first appearance of this season on Saturday 15th August as a substitute after 76 minutes.
Joe Frawley, Left Back, Woking Academy
Frankie Bushby, Centre Midfield, Woking Academy
Josh Ewing, Attacking Centre Midfield, Camberley Town: Dual registered with Tadley Calleva – made his first appearance of this season on Saturday 15th August as a substitute after 60 minutes.
Will Ledbury, Centre Midfield, Woking Academy
George Mattingley, Centre Midfield, Woking Academy
Minkah Okogie, Centre Midfield, Hastings United
Jack Samuels, Centre Midfield, Bromley
Jack Tricker, Left Back/Left Midfield, Woking Academy
Nick Alves, Left Midfield, Spanish fifth tier
Seyi Akinwalere, Forward, Woking Academy
Jojo Ampah, Forward, Woking Academy
Timothy Francis, Forward, Woking Academy
Jalil Page, Forward, Woking Academy
Further updates on last season’s EDS graduates
Freddie Greenstreet, Left Back: Now with Northwood.
Chris Rangel, Centre Back: Now with Northwood.
Quincy Patterson, Centre Midfield: Now with the Aldershot Town Under 21s and dual registered, as he was last season, with Binfield.
Joden Trickett, Striker: Now with Walthamstow.
League fixture (home) details for the 2026/27 season
EDS, National League Under 19 Academy South Division. Martin Tyler Performance Centre (MTPC), Woking College, Wednesday, daytime.
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 MTPC, Woking College, 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. MTPC, Woking College, Wednesday, daytime.
Woking return to the West 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. MTPC, Woking College, 19:30, Thursday.
This season Woking under 17s will play in the Allied Counties Youth League – East Division. Knaphill FC, 19:30, usually Monday.
The under 17s will also be entering the Tactic League. Friday daytime at MTPC, Woking College.