ACADEMY BULLETIN – WEEK SIXTEEN

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 8th December 2025 

Monday 8th December 

19:45 – Kingstonian v Woking U17: Isthmian League – Central Division 

South Park FC, King Georges Field, Whitehall Lane, Reigate RH2 8LG 

Tuesday 9th December 

19:45 – Binfield Reserves v Woking U18: Suburban League – Premier Division 

The Iconic Stadium, Hill Farm Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG42 5NR 

Wednesday 10th December 

12:00 – Chatham Town v Woking U18: Alliance League Cup – Third Round 

Bauvill Stadium, Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bourneville Avenue ME4 6LR 

12:45 – Southend United v Woking U19 (EDS): National Academy League – South Division 

Garon Park, Southend SS2 4FA 

Thursday 11th December 

19:45 – Cove v Westfield (represented by Woking U17): Allied Counties League – West Division 

Squirrel Lane, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 8PF 

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 1st December 2025 

Monday 1st December 

Westfield (represented by Woking U17) 2 – 5 Knaphill: Allied Counties League – West Division 

Westfield FC, Woking Park 

Report from Ian Tilley 

As the score suggests, this was a difficult evening for a young Westfield side against a Knaphill side who looked stronger than their bottom of the table starting position suggested. 

With rain and wind making for unpleasant conditions the eighth minute opening goal came from an error, Knaphill careless in possession and Bailey driving home from the edge of the area to ‘keeper Lee’s left. 

A few minutes later Bailey set up Pepper and the rebound from Lee’s save nearly fell to McColl-Eljanfali. With Westfield looking in control, the turnaround in fortunes over the next fifteen minutes was somewhat unexpected. 

On 15 minutes Valentin scored the first of an eleven-minute hat-trick, Chimanya’s ball in found the Knaphill number 10 fifteen yards out and he had more than enough time to turn and give MacFadyen no chance of making a save. 

On 18 minutes Knaphill were able to pass their way to a neat finish, Westfield losing their way. Valentin completed his hat-trick on 26 minutes, the ball may have broken to him fortuitously, but again his finish was too easy from a defensive viewpoint. 

Neither side really threatened for the rest of the half, Westfield’s set pieces letting them down. 

Half-time: Westfield 1 – 3 Knaphill 

Knaphill increased their lead within five minutes of the restart, Chimanya netting the rebound after David’s shot was saved. 

Westfield’s substitutions enlivened them, but two great chances to get a goal back were missed, and the opportunity to change the pattern of the game was gone. 

It was 1 – 5 on 69 minutes, a fine volleyed finish from Barron, connecting sweetly with David’s corner, making the most of the space afforded him. 

Westfield did have some consolation on 74 minutes, good play from Pereira setting up Fisher to slot under Lee. The hosts had the majority of the play in the final fifteen minutes, but Knaphill were not really troubled as they saw out their victory. 

Although injuries and illness had not helped Westfield, they will be eager to put this performance behind them when they visit Cove on Thursday. 

Westfield: Harry MacFadyen, Alex Jefferies, Byron O’Donnell, Jack Donkin (Jack Kelly 62), Daejharn Wells, Finlay Salman ©, Harvey Johnson (Arthur Pereira 55), George Ellis (Harry Munden 62), Ben Bailey, Jack Pepper, Zack McColl-Eljanfali (Joe Fisher 62). Unused substitute: Callum Collins (GK). 

Goals: Bailey 8, Fisher 74. 

 

Wednesday 3rd December 

Woking U19 (EDS) 2 – 2 Dagenham & Redbridge: National Academy League – South Division 

Woking College, Rydens Way 

Report from Holly Porter 

A lengthy break for the EDS saw them go 4 weeks without a game, with both Surrey Senior Cup and Suburban League action filling the interrupted fixture list for some.  

“An element of rustiness”, as described by academy manager Matt Winter, therefore took its effect in the first half, which was “well below our standards”.  

The Cards were dealt an early misfortune as Parkes was forced off with an ankle injury in the 5th minute. Upon assessment, the left-back is thought to be out for two months with tendon and ligament damage, a “big loss” for the side. 

Chances at both ends followed, with Boxall going close to opening for the hosts in the 15th minute, with an effort from outside the box which almost curled into the top left corner but narrowly evaded the net.  

It was Dagenham who broke the deadlock, with a well-executed free-kick proving costly for the Cards. The ball was delivered to the back post, where it was struck back across goal, and in on Saward’s right, in the 18th minute.  

Following the setback, Woking did look to apply the pressure, but couldn’t test the Dagenham no.1, and most of the play unfolded in the middle third. A similar free-kick routine, taken from the other side, fell for the visitors in the 26th minute, but, on this occasion, Greenstreet was there to clear the threat.  

Dagenham did get their second shortly after, with a 36th-minute ball into the box which saw Saward off his line in an attempt to collect. A crowded penalty area made this a difficult task, and the loose ball was forced home from close range to double the deficit for the Cards.  

The hosts looked brighter as the half drew to a close, with Travin going close with a 38th-minute effort from range which narrowly flew over the crossbar. Indeed, it was a Travin shot from range which set up the “crucial” goal before the break as his 39th-minute effort saw the keeper push the ball back into the penalty area. Having followed it in, Boxall was then able to smash home the rebound to slash Dagenham’s lead.  

Two occasions of significance followed for Page, firstly with a 43rd-minute touch which, as he attempted to control the ball in the penalty area, almost directed the ball into the bottom corner. The keeper, however, recovered excellently to claw the effort away from goal.  

Moments later, Greenstreet hit the post with his header from a set-piece, with the ball falling perfectly to Page to head home, but the flag was raised for offside, and Woking were forced in at half-time trailing by a goal.  

Half-time: Woking 1 – 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 

A “much better second half” saw Page in early pursuit, with a 52nd-minute connection with Hayati’s ball, but the header, which was almost tapped in at the back post by Travin, fell wide. The 61st minute saw Boxall in a similar position, but his header was too close to the Dagenham no.1.  

Greenstreet’s first goal of the season for the EDS put Woking back on level terms. A corner ball saw him in the centre of a crowded penalty area, and he did well to strike home in the 65th minute despite the Dagenham pressure.  

Woking went on in search of the winner, with Boxall attempting efforts from range in both the 73rd and 75th minutes, the first of which fell wide, whilst the latter fired narrowly over the bar. Brought down in attacking action, Travin earned a free-kick for his side marginally outside the box in the 87th minute. Boxall took, passing to Travin, but the effort flew over the bar.  

The 92nd minute saw another set-piece chance for Woking to take the lead, this time as Quincy Patterson’s long-range shot deflected out for a corner. The ball into the box was punched upward by the goalkeeper, almost falling perfectly for Boxall at the back post, but the bounce of the ball was too awkward for the captain to tap in.  

It was then a 95th-minute free-kick which fell the way of Dagenham, a final chance for the visitors to edge back ahead, but the set-piece went wide of Saward’s goal, and the points were shared.  

“It was really hard work in the end”, reflected Winter. “When you play for 45 minutes rather than 90, then you make it hard for yourselves, and that’s certainly what we did today […] We didn’t create enough clear-cut chances, but we did enough in the second half to win the game, but it wasn’t to be.”  

Woking: Samuel Saward, Josh Solecki, Sonny Parkes (Freddie Greenstreet 5’), Cameron McQueen (Malachy Mpoy 66’), Chris Rangel, Kemall Wilson, Dennis Travin, Quincy Patterson, Jalil Page, Kooshan Hayati, Lucas Boxall ©. Unused Substitutes: Mikey Verga (GK), Jayden Hudson-Odoi, Yousef Mezenner. 

Goalscorers: Boxall (39’), Greenstreet (65’). 

 

Dorking Wanderers 0 – 2 Woking U18 (Half-time: 0 – 0): National League U19 Alliance – Division F 

Meadowbank, Mill Lane 

Woking: James Moore, Thomas Ward, Dillan Davies, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Jack Tricker (Santiago Cuevas 78), George Mattingley, Will Ledbury, Louie Boyle (Adriel Gondwe 73), Frankie Bushby © (Arthur Periera 62), Zack Rhioui (Roshan Kigozi 54), Calum Mathieson. Unused substitute: Harry MacFadyen (GK). 

Goals: Tricker 49, Mathieson 53. 

 

Thursday 4th December 

Woking U17 P – P Chipstead: Isthmian Football League U18 – Central Division 

Match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Knaphill FC 

 

Friday 5th December 

Slough Town 3 – 3 Woking U19 (EDS): Slough win 3 – 1 on penalties: National League Academy Cup – Second Round 

Arbour Park, Stoke Road 

Report from Ian Tilley 

The requirement for Woking to play this game just two days after the League game against Dagenham & Redbridge (when no similar demand was made of Slough), added to the challenge facing Woking. Whilst injuries and illness, especially across the back line, and some players commitments in senior football, all also had an impact on Woking’s preparations and added to the frustration of an opportunity missed. 

Woking got off to a flying start, going 2 – 0 up after five minutes, both goals from recent recruit Travin. The first began with a little flick inside from Greenstreet to Dryer, who made a great run past the right full back before crossing the ball for Travin at the far post to drive home. 

The second came after Trickett won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Travin hitting the top corner with a left-footed curler, the wall offering no protection to ex-Woking Academy ‘keeper Honey, who was left rooted to the spot. 

The next significant action was a nasty aerial collision when Slough’s Maxwell Chinyere and Woking’s Kamall Wilson challenged for a header. Whilst Wilson was able to continue after treatment, Chinyere was briefly concussed and only carried off when it was confirmed it was safe to move him. We wish Maxwell a quick and complete recovery. 

Slough responded to the twenty-minute delay the better and within minutes had halved the deficit. The ball was worked down their left and when the cross came in it was laid back by Chogolzadeh for Appiah to drive home. 

Slough now had the upper hand and were level after 22 minutes of playing time. The hosts won a free-kick on Woking’s right and the scramble from the ball in fell to Hines-Leacock who made no mistake from a few yards out. 

Woking were now finding clear-cut chances hard to come by, and the greater threat was coming from crosses from Slough. 

Before the half was out Slough had the lead. Woking, perhaps unnecessarily, conceding a corner, and Long’s delivery was met by Sala at the far post, with space to head the ball back across Verga into the top corner. 

Half-time: Slough Town 3 – 2 Woking 

The second-half was an even, undramatic affair. Woking introduced Christophers and Page to try and change the dynamic, but Slough looked to be in control. 

As the game came towards its end there was little sense of the impending drama. Then on 88 minutes a very good Verga save from a Phillips strike kept Woking in the contest, and they could go forwards, Travin playing the ball to Trickett and the latter winning a corner. 

Travin’s corner picked out Solecki in a crowded goalmouth and his header powered the ball home. There was still time for a Woking chance to win it, five minutes in to added time Page challenged for the ball and it broke to Dryer who ran through on goal, only to miscue his shot wide. 

Woking replaced Verga with Saward in anticipation of penalty kicks, but even after that an outstretched Trickett came close to knocking the ball past Honey. 

Unfortunately, only Trickett, going first, of the four who took one, scored his penalty, whilst Slough made no mistake, scoring three out of three, although Saward was close to saving one with his legs. 

The heavy, cold rain which began falling as the game entered added time at the end of the ninety minutes rather summed up the mood in the Woking camp at the final whistle. 

Woking: Mikey Verga (Samuel Saward 90+5), Josh Solecki, Chris Rangel, Kemall Wilson, Freddie Greenstreet, Quincy Patterson, Lucas Boxall © (Jalil Page 68), Dennis Travin, Kooshan Hayati (Leo Christophers 57), Tom Dryer, Joden Trickett. Unused Substitutes: Cameron McQueen, Malachy Mpoy. 

Goals: Travin 2, 5, Solecki 89. 

 

Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch 

Wednesday 3rd December 

Jojo Ampah, Forward, 2nd year – Guildford City: Came on as a substitute on 61 minutes in the 3 – 1 victory over Godalming in the Surrey Combination Cup Second Round. Jojo scored the second goal. 

Saturday 6th December 

Lucas Boxall, Midfield, EDS – Sheerwater: Came on as a substitute on 86 minutes in the 3 – 2 victory at Balham in the Combined Counties League 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.