Academy Bulletin 26/27 - Week 8
Written by Ian TilleyUpcoming Fixture: Week commencing Monday 28th September 2026
Friday 2nd October
19:45 – Carshalton Athletic v Woking U18: FA Youth Cup – Second Round of Qualifying
War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Carshalton SM5 2PW
Do come and support our second years as they enter this season’s FA Youth Cup.
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 Academy games which are hosted at the MTPC are now broadcast live on Staydia Sport. Go to staydiasports.com for further details.
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 Reports and Team Details – Week commencing Monday 21st September
We hope you enjoy this week’s review, with an aggregate score of 23 – 2 in Woking’s favour.
Tuesday 22nd September
Sheerwater 1 – 3 Woking U17: Allied Counties Youth League – East Division
Eastwood Leisure Centre, Albert Drive
Following last week’s dramatic victory over Aldershot Town, this was another keenly fought game against local rivals.
Sheerwater came close to opening the scoring on five minutes, under 16s’ goalkeeper Frankie Brown – deputising for the suspended Lucas Montague – doing very well to tip over a shot bound for the top corner.
Although there was defensive work to do Woking had the upper hand and took the lead on 28 minutes. Theo Hornbuckle with an excellent run and pass, picking up the ball in his own half before gaining 40 yards past opposition challenges, then playing in Luca Chevallier, who took a touch to control on the edge of the penalty area before firing low across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner.
Luca Chevallier strikes to give Woking the lead
Sheers responded well, and there had already been one warning shot before they equalised on 39 minutes. Ben De’Ath Green took the chance well, breaking into the penalty area on the right-hand side before shooting across Brown and inside the far post.
Half-time: Sheerwater 1 – 1 Woking
The Cards’ desire to make the most of their attacking opportunities saw them make three changes at half-time, but the anticipated dividend came in a slightly unusual way. Callen Carter had already seen one shot hit the crossbar when his corner led to Woking taking the lead on 53 minutes. The flight of the ball deceiving the ‘keeper and the ball bouncing off his hands and into the goal.
Whilst Woking did continue in the ascendency Sheerwater came close to equalising on more than one occasion and the result was still in the balance as the game entered what would be nine minutes of added time.
On 90+2 minutes Woking were still under pressure from having scrambled the ball clear of the goal when Brown superbly preserved the lead, reacting very well to make a save as he closed down a one-on-one.
Sheerwater still pressed, but this would give Woking the chance to seal victory on the break. A Woking clearance was mis-controlled by the Sheers’ last man and Jerome Musi was quick to the loose ball, driving forward and timing his pass perfectly for George Ellis to set himself before slotting past the ‘keeper and in off the post.
Attention turned to the stricken Callen Carter, who had fallen awkwardly and now received the necessary attention to a painful shoulder/collar bone injury. We wish you all the best for a speedy recovery Callen.
Whilst other Woking players were struggling with cramp, there was not enough time for any further goalmouth action, and a very well-earned victory had been secured.
Woking: Frankie Brown, Harry Cummings, Zane Taylor ©, Harrison Hunt, Sad Kaloga; Aaryan Malhotra, Theo Hornbuckle; Henry Loxton (George Ellis 46), Max Canham (Oliver Kumbaro 46, Jerome Musi 75), Yaw Akowuah-Addo (Callen Carter 46), Luca Chevallier. Unused substitute: Flinn MacDonald (GK).
Goals: Chevallier 28, OG 53, Ellis 90+4.
Photo courtesy of Luke Davidson.
Wednesday 23rd September
Woking U19 (EDS) 4 – 0 Wealdstone: National League Under 19 Academy South Division
MTPC, Woking College, Rydens Way
A two-week gap in fixtures since the victory at Aldershot contributed to Woking not being at their most fluent, but this was still an ultimately convincing scoreline.
Both sides struck the woodwork before Woking took the lead. A Wealdstone free kick on 20 minutes looked covered by Aaron Sings but did hit the outside of the post, whilst a recycled Woking corner on 29 minutes saw Jack Samuels hit the post with his shot across the ‘keeper.
The breakthrough came on 40 minutes after Will Ledbury had won a free-kick over 30 yards from goal. Samuels’ left-footed strike was most accurate and the ‘keeper realised too late that the bounce was taking it inside his left-hand post.
Half-time: Woking 1 – 0 Wealdstone
The visitors were not out of it and there was relief for Woking as a cross went all the way through the Cards’ penalty area without getting a final touch. A Minkah Okojie shot hitting the post saw Woking come close before they doubled their lead on 62 minutes.
The goal was the product of some excellent play, Dillan Davies’ long cross-field pass picking out Seyi Akinwalere on the right wing, who teed up Louie Taylor-Boyle for a pinpoint cross which substitute Timothy Francis swept home from six yards with his first touch within a minute of his introduction.
Once again Woking were relieved to see a cross go all the way through their area, before the third goal, on 72 minutes, put the game beyond the visitor’s reach. This time Taylor-Boyle supplied the fine pass to Akinwalere, and his low cross was perfect for Ledbury to run across his marker and side-foot home.
The fourth followed two minutes later and was warmly celebrated, substitute Jack Tricker scoring with his first touch on his return from a two-month injury lay-off. Francis held the ball up well before passing to Josh Ewing, and another great ball into the area saw Tricker take one touch to create space before blasting home on the turn.
Woking continued to defend diligently; and nearly had a fifth on 90 minutes when Tricker hit the post shooting from the edge of the penalty area. It’s early days, but there’s no harm in being top of the early-season league table.
Woking: Aaron Sings, Louie Taylor-Boyle, Ed Scott ©, Dillan Davies, Jack Samuels (Joe Frawley 75); George Mattingley, Minkah Okojie (Josh Ewing 61); Seyi Akinwalere, Will Ledbury, Nick Alves (Jack Tricker 73), Jalil Page (Timothy Francis 61). Unused substitute: Dom West (GK).
Goals: Samuels 40, Francis 62, Ledbury 72, Tricker 74.
Dorking Wanderers 1 – 7 Woking U18: National Academy Alliance League Division F
Meadowbank, Mill Lane
A game which saw Woking 6 – 0 up at half-time. The Cards’ goals came from George Loader (2), Finn Salman (2), Alfie Moult, Nat Flemming and Zack McColl-Eljanfali.
Thursday 24th September
Woking U18 9 – 0 Bracknell Town: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
MTPC, Woking College, Rydens Way
Woking continued their solid start to the Suburban League season with this resounding victory against a Bracknell side who were not really as poor as the scoreline suggests.
The game got underway amidst some confusion caused by the unusual choice of the referee to ask his assistants to run the line by the right back. Undeterred, Woking nearly had the lead within the first minute, Harvey Johnson and Joe Callow combining to play in Jaden Mansour only for his shot to be closed down.
However, Bracknell were not quick enough after eight minutes, Will Richards’ pass played Mansour in on the left-hand side of the penalty area, and he poked the ball home before the ‘keeper’s challenge arrived.
A fine reflex save from Joshua Allan preserved the lead, and it looked like Woking might not have things all their own way, but the Cards were about to play some most scintillating football.
The move for the second goal, on 13 minutes, started with Allan’s pass to Byron O’Donnell, whose long pass found Richards, who in turn played in Mansour, and although under pressure his touch to control beat his marker before he knocked the ball in as he was falling over.
Daejharn Wells moving into midfield from left-back, and O’Donnell taking advantage of the space vacated to build attacks, were both causing the visitors problems. After a great move involving Wells, Richards and Mansour had threatened again, Woking had their third on 17 minutes. The move started with O’Donnell with another long pass, this time to Arthur Pereira, who teed up Richards to hit a fantastic shot from the edge of the area into the far top corner.
Chances kept on coming and the fourth goal on 31 minutes was another thing of beauty. Casper Hammond was the architect this time, from right back, winning the ball and playing to Richards, who supplied the quality through ball to Callow, running in and dinking the finish over the ‘keeper as he sought to narrow the angle.
A minute later it was five, and another wonderful team goal. Once again, the move started in defence, this time with Luke Manly playing the ball to Callow on half-way, his chest down found Hammond who opened Bracknell up with a sublime, left-footed, pass to Richards who ran through, rounded the ‘keeper, and slotted home.
The need for sound defensive cover from Manly and Johnson kept Woking honest, but the difficulty of dealing with Mansour’s pace and skill was an increasing headache for Bracknell. Woking, and Mansour, would have two more goals before half-time, the left-sided attacker benefitting richly from the space created by the threat of Max Thomas on the right.
The first of these saw Mansour winning possession in midfield and running through, the ‘keeper elected to try and close the angle, but the finish with the outside of the right foot still flew past him – a hat-trick within the space of 29 minutes.
The seventh was counterattacking at its best, Allan catching a corner and quickly rolling it out to Richards whose first-time pass released Mansour, outpacing the defender and driving home, the shot long-gone before the ‘keeper could close him down – four goals in one half.
Half-time: Woking 7 – 0 Bracknell Town
With the Referee’s Assistants restored to the lines next to the left backs; Bracknell re-set at half-time, with a substitute brought on to try and subdue Mansour.
Bracknell looked more solid and had two chances before Woking scored again on 51 minutes, but both shots were wide. The eighth goal was a fine sole effort from Johnson, running 20 yards with the ball to the edge of the area before dispatching a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Some carelessness at the back nearly cost Woking but they were able to recover, whilst two more chances for Mansour were blocked by the ‘keeper coming off his line.
Ledbury had one effort cleared off the line, whilst Bracknell looked like they may still find a consolation goal, but Woking were determined not to concede, substitute forward George Loader helping his colleagues by providing good cover at full-back.
Woking finished the scoring on 86 minutes, O’Donnell heading a Richards’ corner back into the goalmouth where Callow, from eight yards, acrobatically bicycle-kicked the ball back past himself and in off the post.
Some quality football played, the position at the top of the league held, and a real confidence booster ahead of this weeks’ trip to Carshalton Athletic in the FA Youth Cup. With Jaden Manosur (9 goals), Joe Callow (6) and Will Richards (6) all already dreaming of the season’s Suburban League and Cup ‘golden boot’ award.
Woking: Joshua Allan, Casper Hammond (Nat Flemming 75), Luke Manly © (Sonnie Leedham 55), Byron O’Donnell, Daejharn Wells; Harvey Johnson, Arthur Pereira (Ben Bailey 72); Max Thomas (Alfie Moult 65), Will Richards, Jaden Mansour (George Loader 65), Joe Callow. Unused substitute: Harry MacFadyen (GK).
Goals: Mansour 8, 13, 37, 44, Richards 17, 32, Callow 31, 86, Johnson 54.
Loan (Dual Registration) Players Watch
Tuesday 22nd September
Dom West, Goalkeeper, EDS – Binfield. Played the full game in the 1 – 2 defeat to Moneyfields in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4).
Saturday 26th September
Dillan Davies, Centre Back, EDS – Abbey Rangers: In the starting XI for the 2 – 2 draw with Epsom & Ewell in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Josh Ewing, Attacking Centre Midfield, EDS – Tadley Calleva: Played the full game in the 3 – 3 draw against Sutton Common Rovers in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Will Ledbury, Attacking/Centre Midfield, EDS – Alton: Was on the bench for the 0 – 0 draw at Sheerwater in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Ed Scott, Centre Back, EDS – Tadley Calleva: Came on as a 72nd minute substitute in the 3 – 3 draw against Sutton Common Rovers in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5). Tadley were 1 – 3 down when Ed came on, the goals that levelled the scores coming on 86 and 90+2 minutes.
Dom West, Goalkeeper, EDS – Binfield. Played the full game in the 1 – 1 draw at Westfield in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4). Having lost their previous game to an 89th minute goal Binfield did well, down to 10 men from the 64th minute, to secure the draw, and their first point of the season. This was an eventful afternoon for Dom who, as well as making a number of very good saves, dealt well with a rather awkward back-pass which threatened to bounce over his head. He could do little about the well taken penalty which gave Westfield their goal but did brilliantly on the 90-minute mark to make a great blocking save and preserve the point. Academy graduate Quincy Patterson was also in Binfield’s starting XI for this game.
Other News
Joel Jennison-Leppa, EDS Centre Back, suffered a spleen injury whilst playing for his dual-registration club Sheerwater. Joel was hospitalised but is now home and our best wishes and prayers are with you Joel for a speedy and complete recovery.
Academy graduates Kemall Wilson and Tom Dryer who have signed with the First Team have started their loan spells at Leatherhead well. At Three Bridges on Tuesday 22nd Kemall (Centre Back) played the full game, whilst Tom (Attacking Midfield) came on at half-time to score the two goals which would earn a 3 – 3 draw. In the FA Trophy Third Round of Qualifying on Saturday 26th they both played the full game in the 2 – 2 draw against Ramsgate. Tom scored the goal which put Leatherhead ahead, whilst Kemall scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out – his sides 10th penalty! Kemall and Tom have been joined at Leatherhead by fellow Academy graduate Jayden Hudson-Odoi.
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 playing in Division F2 of the Tactic League. Friday daytime at MTPC, Woking College. Please see our social media and the fulltime.thefa.com website to follow the progress of Woking Shadow.