Academy Bulletin 25/26 - Week 14
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly PorterUpcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 19th January 2026
Monday 19th January
19:30 – Westfield (represented by Woking U17) v Camberley Town: Surrey Floodlit Cup – Second Round (Round of 16)
Westfield FC, Woking Park
19:45 – Walton & Hersham v Woking U17: Isthmian League – Central Division
Elmbridge Xcel, Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames KT12 2JG
Wednesday 21st January
11:30 – Woking U18 v Boreham Wood: National League Alliance – Division F
Woking College, Rydens Way
14:00 – Slough Town v Woking U19 (EDS): National Academy League – South Division
Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY
Thursday 22nd January
19:30 – Woking U18 v Binfield Reserves: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
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 Reports, Team Details and Postponements – Week commencing 12th January 2026
Monday 12th January
Westfield (represented by Woking U17) P – P Camberley Town: Surrey Floodlit Cup – Second Round (Round of 16)
Match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Westfield FC, Woking Park
Wednesday 14th January
Bromley 3 – 3 Woking U18: National League Alliance – Division F
Bromley FC, Hayes Lane
With preparations disrupted by transport difficulties Woking were forced into three changes to the planned starting XI. After finding themselves 2 – 0 down, with one of the goals a result of a Woking error, the Cards came back into the match well. A ten-minute hat-trick from substitute Jojo Ampah, one of those who was unable to take up their planned starting position, put Woking ahead. Unfortunately, Bromley were able to draw level to ensure honours were even at the close.
Woking: Jack Roles, Louie Boyle ©, Ollie Rigby, Mason Drew, Jack Owen, George Mattingley (Harvey Johnson 75), Frankie Bushby, Zack Rhioui (Harry Munden 54), Will Ledbury, Timothy Francis (Nathaniel Flemming 78), Tyrell Ejakita (Jojo Ampah 54). Unused substitute: Aaron Zziwa (GK).
Woking U19 (EDS) 5 – 3 Maidstone United: National Academy League – South Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
Report from Holly Porter
In yet another high-scoring affair against Maidstone United, the Cards had to come from behind twice to protect their unbeaten home record in a “really pleasing” performance, as reflected by academy manager Matt Winter.
Heading into this fixture, 16 goals had been scored across the two times the Cards have faced Maidstone this season; a 4-2 loss in the league and an 8-2 win in the league cup. As the game unfolded at Woking College, the clash followed the same goal-heavy pattern, but unlike the previous two meetings, this time it was Maidstone to net first.
A 5th-minute corner was initially defended by the Cards, but the ball fell to the edge of the penalty area, where a low follow-up shot could be driven into the bottom corner.
It did not take long for Woking to level, with Patterson charging forward in the 12th minute, finding Travin on his right, who powered a dangerous ball through the box. In evidence that it was difficult to defend, the cross was turned in by Maidstone’s backline.
Woking fell behind again in the fixture, this time as a 20th-minute long-range effort was deemed to have crossed the line after clipping the inside of the post and spinning back out into the penalty area.
Yet again, a positive response arose from the Cards. In the 24th minute, Travin almost earned a second favourable deflection of the clash as his effort was redirected off the Maidstone defence, but, on this occasion, the keeper was able to collect.
Two efforts which flew narrowly over the woodwork followed, firstly as Hudson-Odoi’s 29th-minute attempt couldn’t be kept down. In the 35th minute, Boxall’s effort met the same end, after the captain took an excellent touch to create space on the edge of the area, but the finest of margins meant Woking still trailed.
This changed before the break, with Hudson-Odoi netting his first of the season. A poor ball out of defence saw a turn of possession, with Hudson-Odoi collecting and then striking a fine effort from the edge of the area to draw Woking level.
With one last twist of the half, the Cards found themselves ahead for the first time in the clash. Quick feet saw Travin weave around Maidstone’s defence before an excellent effort took the lead from close range.
Half-time: Woking 3 – 2 Maidstone United
Travin doubled his tally shortly after the restart, with Trickett driving into the box in the 56th minute, finding Travin in the centre. Indicative of “a player with real quality”, as depicted by Winter, Travin did well to control the ball and calmly slot home to give the Cards a two-goal cushion.
Substitute appearances for Jack Lewis and Hayden Vally saw them both go close moments after their respective introductions. Lewis broke into the box in the 77th minute and latched onto Trickett’s ball, but his effort was directed wide. Then, in the 79th minute, Vally forced a diving save from close range.
Alongside Travin, Hudson-Odoi also netted a second in the clash, with an 82nd-minute ball over the top seeing him through on goal. Still with work to do, the winger did well to drive into the box and fire into the net to round off an “excellent” performance.
Shortly after, an 86th-minute free-kick saw the visitors score once again. The set-piece, taken from the edge of the box, was nudged sideways, allowing another to strike the rolling ball into the Woking net. Despite this, it was too late for Maidstone to recover their deficit, and the Cards continued their winning start to 2026.
“Today was an opportunity for players to step up and show the quality that they have,” stated Winter. “They’ve taken that with both hands.”
One who certainly stepped up was second-year Jennison-Leppa, whose superb performance stood out as he played one half of the centre-back duo.
“An opening became available for him to step up and play against a really tough team with arguably one of the best centre forwards in the league”, reflected Winter.
“The quality he showed was really pleasing for the future.”
Woking: Mikey Verga, Bailey Cotton, Josh Solecki (Freddie Greenstreet 90+6’), Lucas Boxall ©, Kemall Wilson, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Denis Travin (Jack Lewis 73’), Quincy Patterson, Joden Trickett, Kooshan Hayati (Hayden Vally 78’), Jayden Hudson-Odoi (Yousef Mezenner 90+4’). Unused substitute: Sam Cockwell (GK).
Goalscorers: OG (12’), Hudson-Odoi (40’, 82’), Travin (44’, 56’).
Guildford City P – P Woking U18: Surrey Floodlit Cup – Second Round (Round of 16)
Match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Spectrum, Guildford. Rearranged for Wednesday 28th January.
Thursday 15th January
Woking U17 P – P Uxbridge: Isthmian League – Central Division
Match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch
Saturday 17th January
Jack Lewis, Defender, EDS – Knaphill: Came on as a 75th minute substitute, with the score at 0 – 0, in the 1 – 0 victory over Epsom & Ewell in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Sam Saward, Goalkeeper, EDS – Horley Town: Played the full game in the 3 – 1 victory over Redhill in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Abbey Rangers: Played the full game in the 1 – 2 defeat at Cobham in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
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.