Academy Bulletin 26/27 - Week 7
Written by Ian TilleyUpcoming Fixtures: Week commencing 21st September 2026
Tuesday 22nd September
19:45 – Sheerwater v Woking U17: Allied Counties Youth League – East Division
Eastwood Leisure Centre, Albert Drive
Wednesday 23rd September
11:30 – Woking U19 (EDS) v Wealdstone: National League Under 19 Academy South Division
MTPC, Woking College, Rydens Way
14:00 – Dorking Wanderers v Woking U18: National Academy Alliance League Division F
Meadowbank, Mill Lane, Dorking, RH4 1DX
Thursday 24th September
19:45 – Woking U18 v Bracknell Town: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
MTPC, Woking College, Rydens 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
The Academy YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/@wokingfcacademy8179 – links to the Academy YouTube posts are also on the Academy ‘X’ page.
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 14th September
Thursday 17th September
Woking U17 2 – 1 Aldershot Town: Allied Counties Youth League – East Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
A fine response to last week’s defeat at Wokingham Town in the Allied Counties Youth League Cup, with a dramatic conclusion, as we so often see against our friends from Hampshire.
A well-fought opening saw defensive work from Harvey Grace and Harley Adams of most note for Woking, with the foundation laid for the Cards to take the lead on 21 minutes. A superb pass through the middle from Keegan Berry pierced the Aldershot back line and Callen Carter waited calmly for the right moment to slot past the advancing ‘keeper – goals in consecutive games for the left-sided attacker.
For the rest of the half chances proved hard to come by; Henry Loxton’s cross-shot from a Jerome Musi pass, and through balls running tantalisingly away from Musi and Oliver Kumbaro were the closest Woking came, whilst Aldershot found themselves denied by the interventions of Berry, Grace and goalkeeper Lucas Montague.
Half-time: Woking 1 – 0 Aldershot Town
Woking started the second half brightly, Adams free kick headed down by Leighton Spence, and Musi seeing his shot blocked. Although some scrappy defending required a Montague save.
On 55 minutes Woking came close, Sad Kaloga playing the ball to Musi, whose smart turn and shot forced a diving save from Harry Clayton. The hosts continued with their attacking intent, substitutes Ben Golding and Yaw Akowuah-Addo picking up the momentum well and Loxton continuing to threaten.
Kaloga was called on to cover one break, but it was Woking who came closest, Harrison Hunt denied by a combination of ‘keeper and post on 70 minutes.
The drama was about to intensify, Montague handling a through ball before it had reached his penalty area, and the referee obliged to dismiss him. Substitute goalkeeper Flinn MacDonald entered the fray, and the Woking defensive wall successfully blocked the free kick.
Woking did have a chance to extend the lead, Spence’s header from a Loxton free kick not quite powerful enough to lob Clayton. But having an extra man had given the visitors a boost, and their equaliser came on 81 minutes, a well struck shot from the edge of the penalty area flying into the bottom corner.
The introduction of Luca Chevallier and Max Canham rejuvenated Woking, although Kaloga was called into more fine defensive action, getting a painful scrape of studs down his calf for his trouble.
Ben Golding and Chevallier had failed to make the most of what looked like the best chances to find Woking a winner, until Canham struck four minutes into added time. Chevallier and Berry pressed the Aldershot defence well, and when the ball broke to Canham his aim was wonderfully true, firing it across the ’keeper and inside the far post.
A winning challenge was required from Spence to ensure there was not a further twist in the tale, and Woking saw out their well-deserved win, having played the last 20 minutes with ten men.
Woking: Lucas Montague, Harrison Hunt, Harvey Grace, Leighton Spence ©, Sad Kaloga; Keegan Berry, Harley Adams (Ben Golding 60); Henry Loxton (Max Canham 80), Oliver Kumbaro (Flinn MacDonald (GK) 73), Callen Carter (Yaw Akowuah-Addo 60), Jerome Musi (Luca Chevallier 80).
Goals: Carter 21, Canham 90+4.
Loan (Dual Registration) Players Watch
Tuesday 15th September
Joel Jennison-Leppa, Centre Back, EDS – Sheerwater: Played the first 66 minutes of the 6 – 2 victory at Epsom & Ewell in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Will Ledbury, Attacking/Centre Midfield, EDS – Alton: Was in the starting XI for the 0 – 3 defeat at Godalming Town in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5). Will made his debut for Alton on the previous Saturday at Fleet Town.
Saturday 19th September
Dillan Davies, Centre Back, EDS: Abbey Rangers: Was on the substitutes’ bench for the 2 – 5 defeat to Fleet Town in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Josh Ewing, Attacking Centre Midfield, EDS – Tadley Calleva: Came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute of the 1 – 0 victory at Bishops Cleeve in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. An historic day for Tadley as they reach the Third Qualifying Round for the first time in their history, in which they have been drawn at home against Dartford.
Joel Jennison-Leppa, Centre Back, EDS – Sheerwater: Played the first 45 minutes of the 1 – 2 defeat to Sutton Common Rovers in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Will Ledbury, Attacking/Centre Midfield, EDS – Alton: Played the first 75 minutes (coming off when the score was 2 – 0), of the 2 – 0 victory over Eversley & California in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Ed Scott, Centre Back, EDS – Tadley Calleva: Was on the substitutes’ bench for the 1 – 0 victory at Bishops Cleeve in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.
Other News
We have been drawn away to Carshalton Athletic in The FA Youth Cup Second Qualifying Round (when Woking enter). The tie to take place next week (commencing 28th September).
In The Michael Bidmead (Suburban League) Challenge Cup our U18s will travel to play Harrow Borough at Earlsmead in the Second Round, Borough having beaten Bishop’s Stortford on penalties after a 2 – 2 draw. Date to be confirmed.
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 Thursday.
We also have a ‘shadow squad’ of under 17s who will be entering the Tactic League. Friday daytime at MTPC, Woking College.