Academy Bulletin 25/26 - Week 1
First Year Scholar Jaden Mansour who scored a hat-trick against Chipstead in the Isthmian Youth League.
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly PorterUpcoming Fixture – Week commencing 25th August 2025
Thursday 28th August
12:00 – Woking U19 (EDS) v Eastleigh U19; National League Academy - South Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
The Under 17s begin their National League Alliance – Division F fixtures on Wednesday 3rd September.
For up-to-date 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
Match Reports and Team Details – Commencing 15th August 2025
Friday 15th August
Aldershot Town B-Team 2 – 2 Woking U18 (Half-time: 0 – 0); Suburban Football League - Premier Division
Bottom Meadow, Sandhurst
Aldershot took a 2 – 0 lead early in the second half, with goals from Nelson and Hills. Then after a long delay for a bloody head injury to Aldershot’s Kaden Hughes (who we wish a speedy recovery), and a number of substitutions from Aldershot to rest players, Woking were able to claim a draw with goals from Jalil Page and Joel Jennison-Leppa.
Woking: Jools Lacey, Louie Boyle (C), Ollie Rigby, Thomas Ward, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Will Ledbury, Leo Christophers, Jalil Page, Frankie Bushby (Pranish Gurang 72), Hayden Vally, Jojo Ampah (TJ Francis 65).
Goals: Page 70, Jennison-Leppa 75.
Wednesday 20th August
Woking U19 (EDS) 6 – 2 XYZ Football Academy; Pre-Season Friendly
Woking College, Rydens Way
Report from Ian Tilley
With the departure of Kingston White-Glean and the most welcome arrival of Freddie Greenstreet from Hampton & Richmond Borough, a final pre-season friendly gave valuable preparation for the weeks and months ahead.
Woking opened the scoring on 13 minutes, Trickett picking the defender’s pocket before turning and firing across the ‘keeper and in off the far post. But two defensive lapses from Woking soon saw the visitors go ahead, their strikers finishing emphatically on 16 and 21 minutes.
This entertaining game gave us a number of fine goals, and the Cards equaliser on 22 minutes was one such. Patterson picked up possession ten yards inside his own half and drove forwards powerfully, with opponents unable to make an effective challenge he reached the edge of the penalty area before firing home. Woking now had the upper hand and were to press home their advantage.
Woking would go into the half-time break with a 4 –2 lead, given them by two quality team goals. On 30 minutes a cross-field ball from Greenstreet found Cotton advancing through right midfield, his pass inside the full-back to Dryer was perfect, as was the cross for Trickett to angle his finish into the bottom corner.
As the half drew to a close Woking’s fourth was of a similar pattern and quality. This time Cotton was the instigator, Dryer played Trickett in behind the defender, and his cross was dispatched emphatically by Hayati.
Half-time: Woking 4 – 2 XYZ Academy
Woking’s fifth came on 53 minutes, Trickett claiming his hat-trick goal with a great finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area, after good passing and awareness from Boxall and Hayati in the build-up.
XYZ did persevere, but could not create any further clear-cut chances, and it was Woking, after a couple of opportunities had gone begging, who finished the scoring on 84 minutes. Once again the passing and movement were good, Parkes getting forwards well and finding Dryer, now playing on the left-wing, whose cross gave Hayati a tap-in from a couple of yards.
A most entertaining end to pre-season before the EDS’s first league fixture on 28th August.
Woking: Mikey Verga (Sam Cockwell 46), Bailey Cotton, Harrison Stevens (Chris Rangel 46), Freddie Greenstreet, Jack Lewis (Sonny Parkes 46), Quincy Patterson, Lucas Boxall (C) (Cameron McQueen 62), Tom Dryer, Kooshan Hayati, Jayden Hudson-Odoi (Jayden Smith 62), Joden Trickett (Bishop (Trialist) 57).
Goals: Trickett 13, 30, 53, Patterson 22, Hayati 45+2, 84.
Wednesday 20th August
Chipstead U18 1 – 6 Woking U18; Isthmian Youth Football League - Central Division
High Road, Chipstead
Report from Ian Tilley
A successful first competitive game for the first-year scholars, on a very difficult surface, got the season off to a positive start.
The first fifteen minutes were pretty even, with Chipstead matching their visitors, but it was soon to be Woking taking the initiative. The Cards had the lead on 18 minutes, Chislett and Costa were gaining control in central midfield, and it was the latter’s pass which released Sam on the left-wing, before his cross was rather bundled in at the far post by Mansour.
Wearden, Sam and Mansour all had good efforts on goal before Mansour got his, and Woking’s, second on 26 minutes with a skilful dribble through and a shot which was powerful enough to find the net despite defender Iyke getting in a half-block.
Chipstead could well have got one back on 36 minutes, but Iyke failed to get a touch at the far post from a free kick. His side were soon punished for their missed opportunity, a defence splitting pass from Costa picking out Sam’s well-timed run, with the finish a composed one past the advancing ‘keeper into the bottom corner.
With Manly and English covering well at centre-back when required, Allan in goal calm when called upon, and the forwards all looking to create more opportunities, Woking were in control as we went to the break.
Half-time: Chipstead 0 – 3 Woking
On 53 minutes Woking had their fourth, a great long pass from English setting up Richards to run on and finish neatly. Woking continued in the ascendency, although they did rather get away with a goalmouth scramble on 63 minutes.
A brief respite for the hosts, as Woking had their fifth on 66 minutes. Mansour was held back after a fine Jefferies through ball had put him in on goal. He took the penalty himself, and although it wasn’t the sweetest strike ever, he had sent Markley the wrong way and completed the second Academy hat-trick of the day.
As Woking gave opportunities to their substitutes the game lost some of its pattern, and 84 minutes had been played before the Cards added their sixth. A long ball from substitute Hurp was miscued by the ‘keeper and Callow had his reward for his hard work leading the attacking line, passing confidently into the open goal from 25 yards.
Woking will be a little frustrated that a lapse in concentration at the back gave Campbell a tap-in consolation on 85 minutes, but this was a good opening performance which will hopefully stand them in good stead for tougher tests to come.
Woking: Joshua Allan, Alex Jefferies, Luke Manly (C) (Byron O’Donnell 78), Will English, Daniel Wearden, Jagger Chislett (William Hurp 66), Jeremy Costa, Jayden Mansour (George Loader 78), Will Richards, Kameron Sam (Alfie Gales 66), Joseph Callow. Unused substitute: Ryan Warren (GK).
Goals: Mansour, 18, 26, 66 (pen), Sam 38, Richards 53, Callow 82.
Thursday 21st August
Woking U21 1 - 2 Sheerwater Reserves; Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Report from Ian Tilley
There have been a number of changes for this season to which clubs make up the Suburban League, and it looks like Woking’s second years will come across a number of sides including older players, with Sheerwater a good example of physical strength across the team.
Woking competed well throughout and will feel that some decisions could have been more favourable to them. They looked to have taken the lead on 15 minutes, good play from Vally setting up Ledbury for a tap-in, and a number of the Woking contingent were left wondering why the assistant referee’s flag had gone up.
Clear cut chances were hard to come by, and it was the defensive work of Rigby and his colleagues that more caught the eye. With Lacey doing well to hold a header from a 34th minute corner.
Sheerwater should have had the lead with the last notable action of the first half, Salmon firing over from Gayle’s pull back when he really should have hit the target.
Half-time: Woking 0 – 0 Sheerwater
Sheerwater again started strongly, and Lacey had already made one smart save down to his left before the visitors had the lead. On 52 minutes Hurst’s pass set up Leeks nicely, who was able to finish despite the attentions of the covering defender.
Woking made changes to personnel and positions as they went in search of an equaliser but were unable to make use of a number of free-kick opportunities which came their way.
Indeed, it was Sheerwater who looked like they might add a second, with a couple of close efforts, before they doubled their advantage on 73 minutes. Woking rather brought about their own downfall when failing to clear their lines, and Boyden made the most of the situation, firing into the bottom corner.
Woking did get one back on 80 minutes. Vally’s astute pass played in Ampah, and he looked to have an open goal when the defender illegally halted his progress. A penalty was awarded, but somewhat surprisingly only a yellow card was given to the offender. Ampah took the penalty himself and appeared rather fortunate that a bobble lifted the ball over the ‘keeper who had dived the right way.
From then on Sheerwater were able to see out the game without any further opportunities being presented to the Cards. Woking have had two difficult games to start their Suburban League season and will need to apply themselves to the increasing demands of their second years.
Woking: Jools Lacey, Louie Boyle (C), Ollie Rigby, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Joe Frawley, Leo Christophers, Frankie Bushby, TJ Francis (Jojo Ampah 56), Will Ledbury (Jack Tricker 66), Hayden Vally, Jalil Page (Pranish Gurang 84). Unused substitutes: Oliver Kabeer (GK), Connor Thomas, George Mattingley, Brian Rai.
Goal: Ampah 80 (pen).
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:
Saturday 16th August
Tom Dryer, Midfield, EDS – Westfield: Played the first 67 minutes (going off when it was 1 –0 through a Finn Evans 56th minute goal), in the 1 – 0 victory at Leatherhead in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.
Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Westfield: Came on after 69 minutes of the 1 – 0 victory at Leatherhead in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.
Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Ascot United: Came on after 67 minutes, with the scores at 1 – 1, in the 2 – 1 victory over Chislehurst Glebe in the FA Cup Preliminary Round. The winner was scored by Khalid Simmo on 90+6 minutes.
Saturday 23rd August
Tom Dryer, Midfield, EDS – Westfield: Played the first 53 minutes (going off when it was 0 – 2) in the 2 – 3 defeat at Raynes Park Vale in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4). This was a difficult afternoon for Westfield and Tom found his opportunities to have an impact rather limited. Unfortunately for Westfield, the attack which brought the opposition’s third goal started down the flank Tom had vacated just a minute earlier, indicating the value of his defensive work.
Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Westfield: Came on after 59 minutes (with the score at 0 – 3) in the 2 – 3 defeat at Raynes Park Vale in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4). A difficult circumstance for Quincy to come into, but he helped give Westfield renewed goal-threat with his intelligent through balls, and played his part in Westfield nearly pulling off an unlikely comeback.
Harrison Stevens, Defence, EDS – Badshot Lea: Played the full game in the 0 – 1 defeat at Hythe & Dibden (Ollie Davis scoring on 81 minutes), in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round. Playing alongside ex-Academy players Harry White and Louis Pask.
Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Ascot United: Played the first 63 minutes of the 0 – 1 defeat at Fareham Town in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4). Casey Bartlett-Scott scored the goal with an 87th minute penalty.
League fixture plans for the 2025/26 season
The EDS will play in the National League Under 19 Academy South Division. These games are usually played midweek with a daytime kick off. The venue for home games being either Westfield Football Club or Woking College.
Woking will continue to enter the Suburban Football League, playing in the Premier Division. Whilst there is not an age limit for this League most teams view it as a predominantly youth league, and Woking will field a team based on second years, with some first years, and some from the EDS. Home games are played at Knaphill Football Club at 19:30 on a Thursday.
The National League structure also offers Woking a place in Division F of their Alliance Leagues. This team will be a mix of first and second years, with home games usually played at Woking College on a Wednesday daytime.
Woking will continue in 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. Home games are played at Knaphill Football Club at 19:30 on a Thursday.