Academy Bulletin 25/26 - Week 2

Written by Ian Tilley & Holly Porter

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 1st September 2025

Wednesday 3rd September

12:00 – Woking U19 (EDS) v Slough Town U19; National League Academy - South Division

Woking College, Rydens Way

14:00 - Boreham Wood Blues v Woking U17: National League Alliance – Division F

Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Borehamwood WD6 5AL

Thursday 4th September

19:30 - Woking U18 v Chessington & Hook United Reserves; The Michael Bidmead (Suburban League) Challenge Cup, 1st Round

Knaphill FC, Redding Way

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 Report – Week commencing 25th August 2025

Thursday 28th August

Woking U19 (EDS) 3 - 2 Eastleigh U19; National League Academy - South Division

Woking College, Rydens Way

Report from Ian Tilley

A winning start to the League season for the Elite Development Squad, against one of Woking’s fiercest rivals, with a number of players on each side knowing their opponents, and ex-Woking Academy players Louis Pask and Aidy Silverstein on the Eastleigh bench.

A kick-off downpour dampened the players, but not proceedings, with Eastleigh having the better of a hard-fought opening, taking the lead on 11 minutes. Charlie Luff playing a good pass in behind the left side of Woking’s defence and Tommy Whitehead half-volleying powerfully past Mikey Verga.

Freddy Beale nearly doubled the lead on 15 minutes, his rather bobbly shot hitting the post. But it was Woking who had the next goal. Kooshan Hayati finishing off a fine passing move involving Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tom Dryer and Sonny Parkes, knocking the ball home from 6 yards at the far post.

With Woking putting together some good passing moves, they were gaining the upper hand, and Chris Rangel had a good chance after a well-worked corner routine but hit his shot over. Then on 34 minutes Dryer was on target to make it 2 – 1. Almost as soon as Hudson-Odoi and Dryer had switched flanks, Hayati found Dryer with a quality through ball and the Woking forward dribbled inside the area before waiting for the perfect moment to curl the ball neatly to Sam White’s left-hand side.

It looked as if Eastleigh might lose their discipline, but they had an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The visitors caught Woking on the counterattack, and despite diving at his feet Verga was unable to stop Barney Stone tapping home from a few yards out.

Half-time: Woking 2 – 2 Eastleigh

Woking resumed determined to regain control, and Quincy Patterson’s passing from central midfield played an important part. The decisive blow was struck on 61 minutes. Parkes played a great ball down the line to Dryer who outpaced the pursuing defender before side-stepping the advancing ‘keeper and passing the ball firmly into the empty net.

The game remained open with Eastleigh having the better of the chances. Verga making saves at attacker’s feet, and relieved to see a 73rd minute shot come back off his left-hand post. Woking persisted well with their passing game, Verga encouraging his teammates not to sit too deep.

Woking ran out winners as Eastleigh couldn’t take advantage of the 12 minutes added by the referee at the end of the ninety. With tension growing there was a lot for the Woking coaches to discuss with the referee at full-time, but they will be happy with the success of their charges.

Woking: Mikey Verga, Bailey Cotton, Chris Rangel, Harrison Stevens, Sonny Parkes, Quincy Patterson, Lucas Boxall (C) (Cameron McQueen-Hinkley 68), Tom Dryer, Kooshan Hayati (Freddie Greenstreet 88), Jayden Hudson-Odoi (Jack Lewis 55), Joden Trickett. Unused substitutes: Sam Cockwell (GK), Jayden Smith.

Goals: Hayati 17, Dryer 34, 61.



Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch:

Monday 25th August

Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Westfield: Came on after 71 minutes of the 1 – 0 victory over South Park (Reigate) in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4). Finn Evans scored the goal on 63 minutes. Tom Dryer did not play in this fixture.

Luke Staight, Midfield, EDS – Broadbridge Heath: Played the first 58 minutes of the 2 – 1 victory over Three Bridges in the Isthmian League South East Division (Step 4). Luke was cautioned in the 15th minute, and the score was 1 – 1 when he was substituted.

Harrison Stevens, Defence, EDS – Badshot Lea: Played the full game, on the left-hand side of a back three, in the 3 – 3 draw with Alton in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South (Step 5). Unfortunately, Alton scored their equaliser on 88 minutes.

Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Ascot United: Came on after 94 minutes, with the scoring done, in the 2 – 0 victory over Southall in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4.



Saturday 30th August

Neither Tom Dryer nor Quincy Patterson were involved in Westfield’s 2 – 0 victory over Sheppey United in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.

Luke Staight, Midfield, EDS – Broadbridge Heath: Played the first 82 minutes of the 3 - 2 victory at Hassocks in the Velocity Cup First Round. Broadbridge had a 3 – 0 lead when Luke was taken off.

Harrison Stevens, Defence, EDS – Badshot Lea: Was an unused substitute in the 5 – 3 victory over Eversley & California in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South.

Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Ascot United: Came on as a substitute after 50 minutes, with the score at 0 – 3, in the 1 - 4 defeat at Soul Tower Hamlets in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.



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 teams 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. Knaphill FC, 19:30, Thursday.

The National League structure also offers Woking a place in Division F of their Alliance Leagues. This team is a mix of first and second years. Woking College, Wednesday, daytime.

Woking 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. Knaphill FC, 19:30, Thursday.