Academy Bulletin 25/26 - Week 23
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly PorterUpcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 23rd March 2026
Monday 23rd March
19:30 – Woking U18 v Kingstonian: Surrey Floodlit Cup – Final
Meadowbank Stadium, Mill Lane, Dorking RH4 1DX
Tuesday 24th March
19:30 – Westfield (Woking U17) v Ash United: Allied Counties – West Division
Westfield FC, Woking Park
Wednesday 25th March
11:30 – Hertford Town v Woking U18: National League Alliance – Division F
Hertingfordbury Park, West Street, Hertford SG13 8EZ
13:30 – Dagenham & Redbridge v Woking U19 (EDS): National Academy League – South Division
Barking Abbey School Longbridge Road Campus, Barking IG11 8UF
Thursday 26th March
13:00 – Woking U18 v Bromley: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
19:30 – Woking U17 v South Park (Reigate): Isthmian League – Central 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
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 16th March 2026
Monday 16th March
Westfield (Woking U17) 2 – 6 Woking U18: Surrey Floodlit Cup – Semi Final
Westfield FC, Woking Park
Report from Ian Tilley
An unusual evening, with the Academy First Years playing the Academy Second Years for the right to play in the Final of the County Cup.
Woking started brightly, scoring in the first minute, Frawley and Tricker combining on the left flank to give Boyle an open goal from six yards. Westfield were not daunted by going behind so early and were soon back in the game.
Richards’ fifth minute free kick was not cleared and when Leedham knocked the ball down Callow hit a fine drive from the edge of the area across Sings and into the bottom corner.
Woking responded, Callow and Richards’ passing leading to Boyle shooting over, before Frawley and Malhotra set up Richards, whose excellent shot from the edge of the penalty area was matched by an equally good Allan fingertip onto the bar.
Woking looked as if they would find the next goal, a McGibbon shot well saved, and some debate as to whether a challenge on Ledbury should have brought the award of a penalty kick.
More controversy followed on 23 minutes, a Ward effort hit the crossbar and with Allan on the floor Ledbury turned the ball into the net. It was unclear why the goal shouldn’t stand, but the referee gave Westfield a reprieve.
Westfield made the most of it, on 33 minutes Callow’s cross was met by Hurp and he steered his header into the bottom corner, Sings wrongfooted.
Any sense of injustice from Woking was removed before half-time. They equalised on 41 minutes, Ledbury winning a corner which Malhotra played back to Christophers whose cross was turned home by a fine Mathieson flick header.
Woking’s number 9 got his second within three minutes, Tricker played a great ball to Ledbury and his cross was not dealt with and was netted, perhaps fortuitously, by Mathieson’s shins.
Half-time: Westfield 2 – 3 Woking
Woking stretched their lead within five minutes of the restart. Rigby playing an excellent pass out of defence to Mathieson, who in turn passed to Ledbury who struck his shot from the edge of the area well, and past Allan.
Two quick goals from Tricker, on 56 and 59 minutes soon put the tie to bed for certain. The first was a tap-in, Allan’s save falling to him, and Westfield offering no further resistance.
Tricker’s second came after Allan had stopped Ledbury scoring with a spectacular flying volley from a Mathieson cross, once again Tricker was on hand to tap the ball home.
Westfield did not give up, and Rigby and Ward still had to defend diligently, but the game was played out without any further significant action.
So, Woking go through to play Kingstonian in the Final at Dorking on Monday evening.
Westfield: Joshua Allan, Casper Hammond, Luke Manly ©, Sonnie Leedham, Alfie Moult; Finn Salman (Nathaniel Flemming 64), Harvey Johnson, Will Hurp (Max Thomas 64), Will Richards, Harry Munden (Dan Weardon 64), Joe Callow (George Loader 69). Unused substitute: Callum Collins (GK).
Goals: Callow 5, Hurp 33.
Woking: Aaron Sings, Jack McGibbon (Joel Jennison-Leppa 75), Ollie Rigby, Thomas Ward, Joe Frawley; Amario Malhotra (Frankie Bushby 64), Leo Christophers ©, Louis Boyle (Hayden Vally 64), Will Ledbury, Jack Tricker, Calum Mathieson (Jojo Ampah 75). Unused substitute: Jools Lacey (GK).
Goals: Boyle 1, Mathieson 41, 44, Ledbury 50, Tricker 56, 59.
Wednesday 18th March
Woking U19 (EDS) 2 – 1 Aldershot Town: National Academy League – South Division
Woking College, Rydens Way
Report from Holly Porter
Woking EDS retained Derby Day bragging rights, with an injury-time winner seeing them steal derby honours.
“We made it incredibly hard for ourselves”, reflected academy manager Matt Winter. “We were well below the standards that we set, but the mark of a good team is to find a way to win, and we did that late on.”
One in fine goalscoring form of late, the best chance of the opening stages fell to Trickett, who forced a good save from Aldershot’s Louis Knight in the 8th minute as he let fly from the goalmouth.
Play then looked positive for the Cards, with Boxall taking the lead in the 19th minute. It was Patterson who drove into the box, his charge forward that so often looks dangerous, with the midfielder unlucky to have struck the far post with his effort. Boxall made no mistake with the follow-up, however, ensuring he etched his name on to the scoresheet in both the home and reverse fixtures against our rivals.
A period followed where much of the play was rooted in the middle of the park, with little to trouble either keeper. Aldershot’s best effort came in the 35th minute, with a strike across goal, from a tight angle, falling narrowly off target. Moments later, a back-post header looked dangerous, but the connection sent the ball wide for the visitors.
The closest the Cards came to a second before the half was through Patterson, who, once again, burst into the box and took aim, but Knight did well in the one-on-one scenario, with an outstretched leg seeing him get a foot to the 40th-minute effort.
In a twist before the break, the Shots equalised with the final touch of the half, striking the ball high into the net from the goalmouth to alter the half-time team talks.
Half-time: Woking 1 – 1 Aldershot Town
The game restarted with a positive squad boost, as Parkes’ substitute welcome to the clash saw his first appearance since the foot injury he sustained against Dagenham and Redbridge back on December 3rd.
Whilst promising phases of play unfolded for Woking throughout the second half, they were unable to break through until the final moment. Most notably, Boxall struck the crossbar twice in as many minutes, firstly as his effort from just inside the area deflected onto the woodwork in the 75th minute, followed by a cross-like shot, hit from a tight angle, which clipped the bar.
As the game drew ever closer to the 90, Woking saw most of the play unfold in their attacking third, but Aldershot were equal to every attack. That was until an excellent delivery from Hayati, deep into injury time, fell at the back post, with a crucial touch from Trickett directing the ball over the line, marking his third in two fixtures, and the all-important Derby Day winner.
The result saw Woking earn the league double over their rivals, with the reverse fixture, played last month, also seeing a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
Woking: Mikey Verga, Bailey Cotton, Josh Solecki, Cameron McQueen (Kooshan Hayati 60’), Kemall Wilson, Chris Rangel, Jayden Smith (Sonny Parkes 46’), Quincy Patterson, Joden Trickett, Lucas Boxall ©, Jayden Hudson-Odoi (Yousef Mezenner 82’). Unused substitutes: Freddie Greenstreet, Sam Cockwell (GK).
Goalscorers: Boxall (19’), Trickett (90+5’).
Thursday 19th March
Woking U17 3 – 5 Uxbridge: Isthmian League – Central Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Report from Ian Tilley
Following last week’s draw against Leatherhead, Woking lost further ground at the top of the league table.
With squad rotation giving more players a chance to prove themselves Woking started strongly. Thomas and Moult creating first minute chances for Loader and Johnson respectively, and it wasn’t long before Woking were in front.
With Loader and Flemming both well involved in the attacking play, it was a shot from the edge of the area from Johnson that found the bottom corner to give the Cards the lead after five minutes.
Woking were getting away with giving Uxbridge too much time in central midfield and doubled their advantage on 10 minutes. A great run down the right by Johnson and his astute pass set up Loader to pull the ball back from the byline for Thomas to finish with a firm, low strike.
The 17th minute would prove to be a turning point, Hurp intercepting a clearance and driving forwards, the ball breaking to Thomas 25 yards out and his excellent drive just too high, skimming the top of the crossbar.
Uxbridge immediately took advantage of the let off, and the space in midfield, a fine shot curled into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Woking regrouped, using the time for an enforced changed, with Loader struggling to continue and replaced by Callow, to receive instructions about what was required, especially in midfield.
Some determined defending, notably from Leedham, looked to have steadied the ship, but a 37th minute shot fired over when it should have been on target was the warning, and the equaliser came a minute later.
There was an element of luck about it, a mishit cross from the right turning into a lob over Collins which went in off the far post.
The last major chance of the half fell to Uxbridge, Woking opened up too easily through the middle and Collins doing well to make a save in a one-on-one situation.
Half-time: Woking 2 – 2 Uxbridge
The second-half opened more quietly than the first, but not without concerns about Woking’s consistency of intensity. The push which conceded the 55th minute penalty which gave the visitors the lead looked avoidable, and Collins stood no chance with the rocket of a spot-kick.
Woking made changes, with a more (central) attacking role for Hurp set to bring dividends. On 65 minutes Callow battled well but the angle was always against him as his shot went wide.
Woking equalised on 67 minutes, the changes had rejuvenated them and after great build up play from Thomas created a scramble in the Uxbridge penalty area the ball was blasted home by Hurp. The referee had whistled for a penalty offence but ruled the goal should stand.
Woking pressed forward, with Thomas and Hurp creating danger, but the game had an unpleasant sting-in-the-tail for Woking.
On 84 minutes Moult did well to get in one clearance but Uxbridge were still able to scramble a goal. The restart couldn’t have gone much worse, Woking conceding possession and the Uxbridge forward beating the advancing Collins to the through ball to send it into the unprotected net.
Woking were not able to mount any real response, and if anything, it was Uxbridge who came closest to another goal as seven minutes of added time was played out.
Uxbridge go above Woking on goal difference, and with three games left to play Woking are now three points behind leaders Kingstonian, who have two games in hand.
Woking: Callum Collins, Alfie Moult, Dylan Hosali, Sonnie Leedham, Will Hurp; Max Thomas, Harvey Johnson (Arthur Pereira 79), Ben Bailey, Harry Munden (Caleb Trickett 75), Nathaniel Flemming (Dan Weardon 58), George Loader (Joe Callow 26). Unused substitute: Joshua Allan (GK).
Goals: Johnson 5, Thomas 10, Hurp 67.
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch
Tuesday 17th March
Joel Jennison-Leppa, Defender, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Played the first 58 minutes (at which point the score was 1 – 3) in the 2 – 5 defeat to Tadley Calleva in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Jack Lewis, Defender, EDS – Knaphill: Played the full game in the 1 – 3 defeat to Tooting & Mitcham United in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Binfield: A 72nd minute substitute (with the score already 2 – 4) in the 2 – 4 defeat to AFC Portchester in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4).
Sam Saward, Goalkeeper, EDS – Horley Town: Played the full game in the 2 – 0 victory at Thatcham Town in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Saturday 21st March
Ben Bailey, Midfield, 1st year – Spelthorne Sports: An 81st minute substitute (with the score 2 – 4) in the 2 – 5 defeat to Hillingdon Borough in the Combined Counties League Division One (Step 6).
Freddie Greenstreet, Defender, EDS – Molesey: A 57th minute substitute (with the score 0 – 1) in the 0 – 1 defeat to Penn & Tylers Green in the Combined Counties League Division One (Step 6).
Joel Jennison-Leppa, Defender, 2nd year – Sheerwater: An unused substitute in the 2 – 4 defeat to Tooting & Mitcham United in the Combined Counties League Division One (Step 6).
Jack Lewis, Defender, EDS – Knaphill: Played the first 48 minutes of the 1 – 1 draw at Chipstead in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Binfield: An 80th minute substitute in the 1 – 0 victory over Littlehampton in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4).
Sam Saward, Goalkeeper, EDS – Horley Town: Played the full game in the 3 – 2 victory over Corinthian Casuals in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Abbey Rangers: In the starting line-up for the 0 – 1 defeat at Tadley Calleva 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 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 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, usually Monday.