Academy Bulletin 25/26 - Week 24
Written by Ian Tilley & Holly PorterUpcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 30th March 2026
Monday 30th March
13:00 – Binfield v Woking U18: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
The Iconic Stadium, Hill Farm Lane, Binfield, Bracknell RG42 5QZ
Thursday 2nd April
19:30 – Woking U18 v Aldershot Town: The Michael Bidmead, Suburban Football League, Challenge Cup – Semi Final.
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Saturday 4th April
15:00 – Harrow Borough v Woking: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Earlsmead, Carlyon Avenue, South Harrow HA2 8SS
For further 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, along with the photo gallery from the County Cup Final, 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 23rd March 2026
Monday 23rd March
Woking U18 2 – 1 Kingstonian: Surrey Floodlit Cup – Final
Meadowbank Stadium, Dorking
Report from Holly Porter
Woking under-18s were crowned Midweek Floodlit County Cup Champions after a hard-fought 2 – 1 victory in the final against Kingstonian.
“Going back to the first round of the competition, we had a real belief that with this group of players, we could go all the way and win it”, said academy manager Matt Winter.
“The boys are jubilant; they deserve that.”
A fast start from Woking saw them have the better of the opening chances, most notably as Mathieson, followed by Tricker, both saw efforts blocked on eight minutes, with Malhotra seeing his edge-of-the-area strike saved moments later.
It was then Christophers who threaded through to Ledbury in the 20th minute, with the latter forcing a strong save from Kingstonian’s number one.
Woking’s shotstopper, Sings, was called upon shortly after, with a fine double save seeing him get down to his right to deny Kingstonian from a free-kick, with the keeper then reacting to block the follow-up.
It was Rigby who then broke the deadlock for Woking, after Jennison-Leppa’s 28th-minute delivery was headed back into the goalmouth, where Rigby tapped over the line.
The Cards kept the work-rate up across the field, limiting their opponents mostly to efforts from range which flew over the bar, as well as grabbing their second before the break.
It was Malhotra’s 41st-minute free-kick, headed at the back post by Jennison-Leppa, that forced Kingstonian’s ‘keeper to palm away, with Mathieson reacting to tap home from the goalmouth, sending his side in at the half with a two-goal cushion.
Half-time: Woking 2 – 0 Kingstonian
Woking were forced to soak up the pressure for much of the second half, as their opponents relentlessly fought to get back into the tie. Kingstonian’s biggest chance in the opening stages of the second 45 fell in the 53rd minute, with a delivery across the face of goal which needed only to be touched home, but the effort was mistimed.
Kingstonian halved their deficit with 72 minutes on the clock, after a quick move forward saw Nima Ghandalo slot the ball through the defence for TJ Aiyegbeni, who drove an effort in on Sings’ right.
The goal made for a nervy end to the game for the Cards, where Woking were “outstanding at putting bodies on the line and defending our goal like our lives depended on it”, as praised by Winter.
Kingstonian did still, however, have their narrow misses in the closing stages, firstly with a 79th-minute back-post header which fell narrowly off-target.
Woking’s closest chance of the half fell to Malhotra moments later, with a fine free-kick strike from the edge of the area in the 81st minute being saved. Kingstonian then pushed forward once again, with an 88th-minute delivery being met first-time by the back-post runner, who fired over the bar.
A long seven minutes of stoppage time followed, with Kingstonian holding on to County Cup belief right up until the full-time whistle. Once again, they saw a delivery headed narrowly off-target, this time in the 95th minute, whilst a 97th-minute free-kick saw everyone, including the ‘keeper, in attacking action for the trailers.
Well-held by Sings was the effort that came in, with the full-time whistle shortly after confirming cup champions status for the under-18s, with the performance from goalscorer Mathieson earning him the player of the match honour.
Woking: Aaron Sings, Jack McGibbon, Joe Frawley (Jojo Ampah 86’), Amario Malhotra, Ollie Rigby (Thomas Ward 58’), Joel Jennison-Leppa, Louie Boyle (Seyi Akinwalere 70’), Leo Christophers ©, Calum Mathieson, Will Ledbury (Hayden Vally 65’), Jack Tricker. Unused substitute: Jools Lacey (GK).
Goalscorers: Rigby (28’), Mathieson (41’).
Attendance: 186.
POTM: Calum Mathieson.
Tuesday 24th March
Westfield (Woking U17) 4 – 1 Ash United: Allied Counties – West Division
Westfield FC, Woking Park
Report from Ian Tilley
Windy and wet conditions, combined with an uneven pitch, made for a difficult evening, but Westfield persevered well and got their rewards in the second half.
Westfield did create the best of the early chances but with neither side building any real possession it was a very scrappy affair.
The lead could have gone Westfield’s way in the first minute, the awkward flight of the ball preventing Hosali from getting enough power on his header from Bailey’s cross.
Bailey’s set pieces and some good passing from Wells, Jacques, Flemming, O’Donnell, and McColl-Eljanfali did look to create chances, with Hosali playing one particularly fine pass to Munden, but the first goal was to go to Ash.
When the ball came into the Westfield area on 29 minutes it all looked very innocuous, but the referee judged it had been played by the arm and Blue Denness converted the penalty well, MacFadyen going the wrong way.
Ash looked to increase their lead, MacFadyen making a good save from a shot from the edge of the penalty area, and relieved, on 42 minutes, to see a Walker shot hit the outside of the post.
Westfield came close in added time, O’Donnell’s touch on a Bailey free kick not powerful enough to trouble Frazio.
Half-time: Westfield 0 – 1 Ash United
Westfield were sent out five minutes early for the second half and understood what was required. It would take 17 minutes before the turnaround began, and this time Bailey’s delivery did not go unrewarded. The cross in found O’Donnell arriving behind the defensive line and planting a fine header into the far corner.
The introduction of Jefferies, Hurp, Moult and Loader on 65 minutes further rejuvenated Westfield and they soon had control.
Within a minute of coming on Jefferies scored a stunning individual goal, dribbling diagonally across the opponent’s half from the right before hitting the ball left-footed into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
On 73 minutes Hurp, McColl-Eljanfali and Moult were involved in a good passing move which suggested more goals were to come, and although Hosali had to make a good defensive block Westfield soon extended their lead.
Another quality passing move, with Hurp and Loader combining to set up Moult who timed his run perfectly to meet the low cross to the far post and smash the ball home on 78 minutes.
O’Donnell nearly repeated his goal, meeting an excellent Jefferies cross but this time heading wide, before Westfield completed the scoring on 90 minutes, Loader passing to Moult and his pull back finished neatly by Hurp.
Hurp nearly extended the lead, Frazio saving the shot well after an impressive display of dribbling, but the victory was ultimately comfortable enough.
Westfield: Harry MacFadyen, Caleb Trickett (Alex Jefferies 65), Dylan Hosali, Byron O’Donnell ©, Daejharn Wells; Arthur Pereira (Will Hurp 65), Ben Bailey, Logan Jacques (Alfie Moult 65), Nathaniel Flemming, Harry Munden (George Loader 65), Zack McColl-Eljanfali. Unused substitute: Joshua Allan (GK).
Goals: O’Donnell 62, Jefferies 66, Moult 78, Hurp 90.
Wednesday 25th March
Dagenham & Redbridge 1 – 2 Woking U19 (EDS): National Academy League – South Division
Barking Abbey School Campus, Barking
Report from Holly Porter
An afternoon in which a combination of wind and hail contributed to tough conditions saw Woking EDS earn a 2 – 1 win over a Dagenham side who, in the reverse fixture, forced the Cards to drop points at home for the first time this season.
Looking dangerous from the outset, a third-minute ball, played upfield by Verga, found Hudson-Odoi, who was able to set Boxall, but the skipper dragged his effort wide.
Then came the hail, and amidst the turf being coated in white, Rangel netted his second of the season to edge his side ahead. It was a corner ball that provided the 12th-minute opportunity, with the centre-back latching on to the delivery from a crowded goalmouth.
Notable efforts then fell to Patterson, firstly as he burst into the box, but fired a 20th-minute effort over the bar. Then, in the 29th-minute, he struck a fine free-kick from the edge of the area, which seemed destined for, but narrowly evaded, the top corner. With a drive into the box yet again, another effort from Patterson saw a smart save from Dagenham’s number one in the 33rd minute. Moments later, Trickett fired wide from the edge of the area.
Dagenham looked dangerous going forward for spells in the first half, but lacked the quality needed to trouble Verga, with their most notable chance as the half drew to a close falling in the 38th-minute, with Woking’s number one equal to the edge-of-the-area effort.
Half-time: Dagenham and Redbridge 0 – 1 Woking
The hosts were able to equalise shortly after the restart, when Kenny Sanni turned away from Woking’s defence, broke into the box, and slotted past the oncoming Verga in the 56th minute. Moments later, they almost took the lead, with a header glancing narrowly off target.
One deserving of a goal, it was Patterson who retook the lead, less than ten minutes after the early goal was wiped. His 64th-minute drive into the box was this time rewarded, as he slotted back across goal in what was to be the deciding moment of the clash.
The hosts did, however, continue to push on, testing the defence, and indeed Verga, as they tried to get back into the affair. It was a 76th-minute intervention from Verga, off his line to deny the hosts an effort, which proved particularly painful, as the contact meant that he couldn’t continue, with Saward doing well off the bench to help see the game out.
Both Vally and Trickett had their chances to extend the advantage in the closing stages, but Vally fired over the bar, whilst the latter’s effort took a deflection to make it an easy collection in Dagenham’s net. Nevertheless, Woking didn’t need the third to secure all three points, with the full-time whistle shortly after confirming victory on the road.
Woking: Mikey Verga (Sammie Saward 82’), Bailey Cotton, Josh Solecki, Cameron McQueen (Freddie Greenstreet 90+4’), Kemall Wilson, Chris Rangel, Hayden Vally (Yousef Mezenner 90+4’), Quincy Patterson, Joden Trickett, Lucas Boxall © (Sonny Parkes 63’), Jayden Hudson-Odoi (Kooshan Hayati 82’).
Goalscorers: Rangel (12’), Patterson (64’).
Thursday 26th March
Woking U17 3 – 1 South Park (Reigate): Isthmian League – Central Division
Knaphill FC, Redding Way
Report from Ian Tilley
A return to winning ways as Woking aim to finish the Isthmian League season well.
An error from South Park ‘keeper Ellis led to Woking taking the lead on 14 minutes. Richards’ cross was caught but carried out of play, and from the corner Richards found Manly unmarked at the far post to head back across Ellis and into the far corner.
The visitors responded, Roles called on to make a good save, before Callow nearly doubled the lead on 21 minutes, his shot deflected onto the post. Callow was also involved dropping in and battling well, with Roles also called into action again as Woking didn’t have things all their own way.
As both sides threatened the next goal looked significant, and it fell to Woking on 37 minutes. The ball was deflected through to Johnson when a Richards’ free-kick hit the defensive wall and his calm, low shot past the onrushing ‘keeper made it 2 – 0. Unfortunately, an accidental blow to the head as the players collided saw Charlie Ellis forced to leave the action. It was good to see he was able to walk off, and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.
The game calmed a little, although Johnson was in action again, chasing back well as Woking saw out the half.
Half-time: Woking 2 – 0 South Park
The second half began rather scrappily. Hurp did have a shot well saved, but Woking also played themselves into trouble, Nicholas’ free kick well blocked.
South Park were working hard and as the hour mark passed Roles was twice called on to tip opposition attempts over the crossbar.
Mansour and Thomas both running excellently with the ball ensured Woking continued to carry the greater threat, with Hurp and substitute Loader also taking the game to South Park.
Woking freshened up with further substitutes, and on 83 minutes Flemming’s pressing won the ball for Callow, who drilled home a low, hard, unstoppable finish to confirm the Woking win.
Woking nearly had a fourth in added time, Loader and Flemming combining to set up Callow whose delicate chip beat the ‘keeper but narrowly went over the goal.
The final action of the game saw Woking lose their clean sheet, Foss scoring as South Park broke through the middle. But the Cards should still be pleased with their victory.
Woking: Jack Roles, Alex Jefferies (Ben Bailey 65), Luke Manly ©, Sonnie Leedham, Alfie Moult (Dylan Hosali 81); Harvey Johnson, Will Hurp, Max Thomas, Will Richards (Nathaniel Flemming 81), Jaden Mansour (George Loader 65), Joe Callow. Unused substitute: Joshua Allan (GK).
Goals: Manly 14, Johnson 37, Callow 83.
Woking U18 P – P Bromley: Suburban Football League – Premier Division
Match postponed due to Bromley being unable to field a team.
Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch
Tuesday 24th March
Jack Lewis, Defender, EDS – Knaphill: Played the full game in the 2 – 1 defeat at Badshot Lea in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5). Jack scoring from close range to make it 2 – 1 on 69 minutes.
Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Binfield: A 73rd minute substitute in the 0 – 0 draw with Westfield in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4).
Sam Saward, Goalkeeper, EDS – Horley Town: Played the full game in the 1 – 0 victory over Fleet Town in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Saturday 28th March
Jools Lacey, Goalkeeper, 2nd year – Walton & Hersham: Played the full game in the 3 – 1 victory over Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier South (Step 3). Congratulations to Jools on his senior league debut.
Quincy Patterson, Midfield, EDS – Binfield: A 6th minute substitute in the 0 – 1 defeat at Harrow Borough in the Isthmian League South Central Division (Step 4).
Sam Saward, Goalkeeper, EDS – Horley Town: Played the full game in the 1 – 2 defeat at Eversley & California in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5).
Josh Solecki, Midfield, EDS – Banstead Athletic: Came on as a 46th minute substitute in the 1 – 7 defeat at Greenways in the Southern Counties East First Division (Step 6).
Joden Trickett, Forward, EDS – Abbey Rangers: Played the full game in the 2 – 1 victory over Thatcham Town in the Combined Counties Premier Division South (Step 5). Joden scored the winning goal on 85 minutes.
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.