Academy Bulletin 25/26 - Week 7
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly PorterUpcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 3rd November 2025
Wednesday 5th November
11:30 – Woking U18 v Carshalton Athletic: National League U19 Alliance – Division F
Woking College, Rydens Way
14:00 – Maidstone United v Woking U19 (EDS): National League Academy Cup – First Round
The Gallagher Stadium, James Whatman Way, Maidstone ME14 1LQ
Thursday 6th November
19:30 – Woking U17 v Metropolitan Police: Isthmian Football League U18 – Central Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Saturday 8th November
14:00 – Sheerwater Reserves v Woking U18: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
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 – Week commencing 27th October 2025
Monday 27th October
Westfield (represented by Woking U17) 3 – 2 Guildford City
Allied Counties Youth League – West Division
Westfield FC, Woking Park
Report from Ian Tilley
With the balance of play firmly in Westfield’s favour throughout one could see why Guildford are at the bottom of the league, but the hosts still made hard work of securing their victory.
The only change to the starting line-up for the team which had previously won three-out-of-three in the league was for Callum Collins to take a turn in goal, with Ryan Warren swapping to the bench.
With ‘Field’s passing play starting with Dylan Hosali and Jack Kelly at Centre-Backs they pressed forwards well, and Joe Fisher and Harry Munden both had efforts well saved by Adam Woolgar. Guildford’s unfortunate habit of giving possession directly back to their opponents should have been more costly to them, but it was the visitors who would take the lead, very much against the run of play.
On 39 minutes Mateus Young chased down a long-ball, cut inside, and his shot somehow bounced beyond Collins and into Westfield’s net. A surprise lead for the visitors to take into the interval.
Half-time: Westfield 0 – 1 Guildford City
The goal encouraged Guildford, and now the game seemed a little more even. There was a five- minute delay early in the half as Kelly received treatment to a lower leg injury before being helped from the field of play. Westfield did threaten an equaliser, but Young also had a shot saved.
On 64 minutes Fisher hit the underside of the bar, but the ball bounced safely into Woolgar’s hands. At the other end Max Ritchie played in Young, but he was flagged offside before his shot found the net.
Munden twice came close to finding the equaliser, before substitute Jack Pepper scored on his debut, hitting his shot well enough to beat the City custodian, bringing the sides level after 75 minutes.
The lead lasted one minute, Harry Hall firing home from the edge of the penalty area. Woking responded well and restored parity within five minutes. A fine diagonal pass forward from Finn Salman released Munden, who controlled, cut inside and beat the ‘keeper to his right, perhaps surprising him by going for the narrower angle.
Westfield’s winner nearly came on 86 minutes, Munden’s turn and shot rather fumbled by the ‘keeper who was relieved to see the ball go wide of his goal. But they were not to be denied, the goal coming six minutes into added time. A good pass to the byeline by Munden was pulled back across goal by Pepper, and the ball reached Fisher who netted from inside the six-yard box.
Westfield had persevered well, but the result being consistent with the run of play will be of little comfort to City.
Woking: Callum Collins, Caleb Trickett, Dylan Hosali, Jack Kelly (Byron O’Donnell 54), Daejharn Wells (Logan Jacques 71), Finn Salman, Harvey Johnson (Jack Pepper 58), Max Thomas (Alfie Moult 58), Ben Bailey, Harry Munden, Joe Fisher. Unused substitute: Ryan Warren (GK).
Goals: Pepper 75, Munden 80, Fisher 90+6.
Tuesday 28th October
Woking 1st Team 8 – 0 Lingfield: Surrey Senior Cup – First Round
Laithwaite Community Stadium
Report from Ian Tilley
Woking prepared for this fixture with a team largely made up of Academy players, joined by Ross, Ward, Effiong and Osude from the First team squad. Lingfield are currently in the bottom three of the Southern Combination Premier and their struggles as a Step 5 club were to continue against the Cards.
The hosts had the lead on 5 minutes, Osude intercepting a Lingfield pass, quickly making ground into the opposition penalty area and slotting neatly past the ‘keeper into the bottom corner.
Woking were very much in control, Patterson and Boxall having the upper hand in central midfield, and centre-backs Rangel and Wilson more noticeable for their starting attacks with good passing, than the few occasions they were called into defensive action.
Cotton and Parkes were both getting forwards well from full-back to play their part in the attacking play, although the former was called on to make a very good covering tackle to halt a rare Lingfield attack.
It did take until the 35th minute for Woking to double their lead, neat passing from Cotton and Ward in the build-up gave Boxall a shooting opportunity, and when the block ricocheted to Osude he made no mistake with his finish.
Woking pressed for a third before the interval, Effiong’s shot deflected wide after a Patterson through ball. The goal came from another fine Patterson pass, with Osude’s shot parried, and Dryer, a constant threat, well positioned to knock in the rebound.
Half-time: Woking 3 – 0 Lingfield
The pattern of attacking Woking play continued, although Ross was relieved to see a long-range free kick hit the outside of the post and go for a goal kick. Patterson and Ward both had half-chances before Effiong had the fourth on 55 minutes. A goal of his own making, forcing a mishit clearance from the ‘keeper to win the ball and calmly bypassing the now out of position custodian with his shot from the left edge of the penalty area.
This signalled an opening of the flood gates. The fifth was a fine example of why recordings of Dryer have started appearing on social media channels. Robbing a defender in a wide left position, he drove inside before striking a low shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the ‘keeper’s right- hand post.
Osude and Ward soon combined for the sixth, once again a defensive error was punished, and Ward was able to neatly turn his marker and knock home from inside the six-yard box.
There was no respite for the visitors, Patterson and Boxall both continuing to work hard and control midfield, with Patterson shooting narrowly over from 25 yards when a clearance from a corner fell to him.
The seventh came from the penalty spot after Ward was upended running onto an Osude pass. Osude patiently waited for the ‘keeper to commit to his left before passing the ball down the middle and into the net.
Opportunities for game time from the substitutes bench were given to Verga, Hayati, Trickett, Christophers and Jennison-Leppa, the latter two both Academy second years. Whilst another fine goal, on 75 minutes, further added to the feel-good factor. Patterson winning the ball in midfield before exchanging a neat one-two with Hayati and then running through the defence like a hot knife through butter before slotting past the unfortunate ‘keeper.
Woking concentrated well to ensure the clean sheet, with Wilson making a notable covering tackle. Whilst Dryer and Boxall came close to combining for a ninth goal, the ‘keeper denying Dryer his hat-trick.
Woking will host Cobham in the Second Round, who although they are another Step 5 club, should prove more of a challenge as they currently have a clear lead at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
Woking: Craig Ross (Mikey Verga 78), Bailey Cotton, Chris Rangel, Kemall Wilson, Sonny Parkes (Joel Jennison-Leppa 78), Lucas Boxall, Quincy Patterson, Matt Ward © (Leo Christophers 71), Inih Effiong (Kooshan Hayati 71), Tom Dryer, Josh Osude (Joden Trickett 71).
Goals: Osude 5, 35, 70 (pen), Dryer 44, 58, Effiong 55, Ward 62, Patterson 75.
Man of the Match: Tom Dryer.
Attendance: 239 (Proceeds going to local charity partner, Woking & Sam Beare Hospice.)
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch
Wednesday 29th October
Jojo Ampah, Forward, 2nd year – Guildford City: Jojo made his debut on the day he joined Guildford, coming on as a 51st minute substitute in the 0 – 5 defeat to Sutton United in the Surrey Senior Cup First Round. As the score suggests, this was a difficult game against a strong Sutton side. Jojo worked hard out of possession but had little opportunity to show what he can do with the ball.
Saturday 1st November
Tom Dryer, Midfield, EDS – Westfield: Played the full game in the 3 – 0 victory over Bognor Regis Town in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4). Westfield asserted their authority early, and Tom was at the heart of the play which led to the 6th minute opener, his superb first time left-footed cross from the byline brilliantly volleyed home by Kiye Martin. Tom was involved again in the second goal on 19 minutes, his astute pass too difficult for the defender to clear and the ball falling to Didi Ndombe to finish. The third goal, on 60 minutes, sealed the win, with Tom an integral part of the Westfield team that are pressuring Leatherhead for leadership of the league.
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 largely made up of second years. Woking College, Wednesday, daytime.
Woking continue in the Central 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.
Westfield play in the Allied Counties Youth League – West Division. This season they are represented by Woking U17. Westfield FC, Woking Park, 19:30, Monday.