ACADEMY BULLETIN: Week Twenty Three

Upcoming Fixtures – Week commencing 9th February 2026 

Monday 9th February 

19:30 – Westfield (represented by Woking U17) v Alton: Allied Counties – West Division 

Westfield FC, Woking Park 

Tuesday 10th February 

19:45 – Cobham v Westfield (represented by Woking U17): Surrey Floodlit Cup – Quarter Final 

The Reg Madgwick Stadium, Leg o Mutton, Downside Bridge Road, Cobham KT11 3EP 

Wednesday 11th February 

11:30 – Woking U19 (EDS) v Dartford: National Academy League – South Division 

Woking College, Rydens Way 

11:30 – Dartford v Woking U18: National League Alliance – Division F 

Princes Park, Dartford DA1 1RT 

Thursday 12th February 

19:30 – Woking U17 v Walton & Hersham: Isthmian League – Central Division 

Knaphill FC, Redding Way 

Saturday 14th February 

15:00 – St Albans City v Woking U18: Suburban League – Premier Division 

Clarence Park, St Albans AL1 4PL  

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 2nd February 2026 

Monday 2nd February 

Leatherhead 3 – 3 Woking U17: Isthmian League – Central Division 

River Lane, Leatherhead 

Report from Ian Tilley 

Come the end of the season, Woking may look back and regret these points lost from a winning position. 

Woking started well but fell behind on 15 minutes. What looked like no more than a hopeful ball forward was misjudged by MacFadyen and Varghese’s header looped into the empty net past the onrushing ‘keeper. 

Woking probed, both through the middle and down the flanks, although the stunning equaliser came out of nothing, Richards curling the ball, from the edge of the area, over Mather’s despairing dive and neatly just under the crossbar. 

Five minutes later the Cards had the lead, Hurp’s fine pass down the left wing gave Sam the opportunity to outpace his marker, and although the angle looked narrow, he drilled his shot low and hard past the ‘keeper into the far side of the net. 

With Leatherhead playing rather wasteful long balls when they had possession Woking continued in the ascendency and went further ahead on 37 minutes. Callow and Richards were involved in the build-up, and when the ball came to Sam left of centre, 15 yards out, another smart finish saw the ball find the side netting once again. 

Woking looked to have the measure of their opponents, and continued to create chances, with Munden, Sam and Callow all coming close to extending the lead before going into the break. 

Half-time: Leatherhead 1 – 3 Woking 

Having built a strong platform, Woking seemed to lose their way a little at the start of the second half as Leatherhead found more time on the ball, and rather ominously grew into the game. 

Whilst persisting with long balls does not always bring dividends, it does only take one lapse of concentration to create a chance, and this enabled the hosts to halve the deficit on 61 minutes. With Woking failing to stop the move at source, and not dealing with the threat, Blakeway was free to guide the ball home. 

Woking responded with a triple substitution, and briefly rallied, but the equaliser came on 76 minutes, an albeit neat passing move opening up Woking far too easily. 

Leatherhead sensed victory, MacFadyen twice making good saves, the latter a particularly fine effort to tip a looping header onto the top of the crossbar. 

As the game drew to a close Munden was frustrated to miss, what was at best, a half-chance to snatch a victory for Woking. The ball broke to him quickly on the edge of the area, and under the pressure of being closed down he put his shot wide. 

In stoppage time the visitors came close again, Hurp and Richards combining to set up Mansour, only for his great turn and shot to send the ball onto the bar and away to safety. 

Woking’s First XI not the only side at the club wanting for consistency over both halves of a game. 

Woking: Harry MacFadyen, Alfie Moult, Luke Manly ©, Sonnie Leedham (Casper Hammond 66), Will Hurp; Alfie Gales (Ben Bailey 81), Finn Salman; Harry Munden, Will Richards, Kameron Sam (Jaden Mansour 66); Joe Callow (George Loader 66). Unused substitute: Joshua Allan (GK). 

Goals: Richards 23, Sam 28, 37. 

 

Wednesday 4th February 

Woking U18 1 – 4 Chatham Town: National League Alliance – Division F 

Woking College, Rydens Way 

Report from Ian Tilley 

Unfortunately, the theme of different fortunes for Woking between the first and second half of games runs throughout this week’s bulletin. 

The number of fixtures to be planned for, the inevitability of injuries, and the desire to give as many opportunities as possible, saw further changes to the Division F side, with 48 players now used this season. 

After chances at both ends, Woking took the lead on four minutes. A great pass from Ledbury put in Boyle down the right wing, and his fine cross was swept emphatically into the goal by Gurang from 15 yards. 

It soon became clear that Woking were going to be getting through a lot of defensive duties, the cry of “away” from Moore in Woking’s goal regularly ringing out. Moore was called on for a number of saves, not all of them routine, and the Cards were also relieved to see a number of Chatham efforts go wide of the goal. 

Ledbury and Ampah did provide a threat at the other end, with Owen, Gurang and Boyle doing well in support, but it was a relieved Woking that still held the lead at the break. 

Half-time: Woking 1 – 0 Chatham Town 

The visitors started the second-half intent on making their pressure count. The equaliser came on 49 minutes, Woking failed to clear a corner, and Tambe finished smartly. 

Tambe showed more quality three minutes later, his pace and power in picking up a long ball too much for the Woking defence, and a great finish across Moore giving Chatham the lead. 

Within 12 minutes of the half it was 1 – 3, a good move well finished from six yards by Henry, Woking reminded that every chance to clear can prove essential. 

Chatham remained in control but did not add to their lead until the 79th minute. Moore did well to put Tambe’s shot behind for a corner, but whilst Woking organised Chatham capitalised, Ingram with the finish. 

Chatham came close to adding another without doing so. An impressive performance from the League leaders, whilst Woking will have easier days. 

Woking: James Moore, Adriel Gondwe, Dylan Hosali (Mason Drew 77), Casper Hammond, Jack Owen; George Mattingley, Ben Bailey (Arthur Pereira 51); Louie Boyle (Roshan Kigozi 71), Will Ledbury ©, Pranish Gurang; Jojo Ampah (Tyrell Ejakita 71). Unused substitute: N/A. 

Goal: Gurang 4. 

 

Oxford City 2 – 1 Woking U19 (EDS): National Academy League – South Division 

Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane 

Report from Holly Porter 

Level on points heading into the clash, with Woking looking to make amends to their mixed away record, a tough test for the EDS saw them face an Oxford City side who haven’t lost at home since November 12th. 

Two second-half goals from the Hoops saw that record extended, meaning they now boast an eight-game unbeaten run, with five consecutive home wins contributing to that number. 

“You’ve got to play for two halves of football, then you’ll earn the right to win a game”, reflected academy manager Matt Winter. 

“The first half we were excellent, and the second half was the complete opposite.” 

The Cards got off to a fast start, with strong spells of attacking possession seeing them control much of the first half. Both Travin and Christophers saw shots fall narrowly wide in the opening 15 minutes, while deliveries into the box, most notably from Patterson’s corner kicks, offered City’s back line little comfort. 

Travin broke the deadlock in the 26th minute, after a 50-50 challenge with City’s ‘keeper saw the ball ricochet between the pair on the edge of the area, before falling nicely behind the shotstopper, with Travin then able to tap home from the goalmouth. 

Chances to increase the advantage followed, with Solecki’s 35th-minute cross almost swerving into the top right corner. Moments later, Trickett placed an excellent low ball through the box, which begged to be tapped home, but it was just out of Hudson-Odoi’s reach. 

As the half drew to a close, Woking continued in pursuit of a second, with plenty of balls over the top which searched for, but narrowly evaded, Trickett. Despite the dominant display, it was a narrow lead at the break for the visitors, with the momentum shifting upon the restart. 

Half-time: Oxford City 0 – 1 Woking 

City had the better of the chances as the second half got underway, with a 52nd-minute cross struck first-time at the back post almost seeing the sides level. In an attempt to fire back across goal, however, the shot directed wide. 

It did not take City long to get their equaliser, with a 55th-minute free-kick being played quickly down the left side, with the subsequent delivery needing only to be tapped over the line by the hosts to cancel out Woking’s first-half lead. 

City’s second of the afternoon also resulted from a set-piece, this time as a 66th-minute free-kick was delivered to the back post, where it was struck first-time into Saward’s net. 

The closing stages saw Woking search for an equaliser, their biggest chance coming from Trickett’s 75th-minute delivery, which created a flurry of chances for the visitors. A mishit from Patterson, followed by a block from Christophers, saw the ball eventually fall to Boxall. From just outside the box, the captain smashed the post with his effort, with the ball rebounding to hit the back of City’s ‘keeper before, unluckily, falling narrowly wide. 

Whilst Woking could not find their leveller, the final stages of the game saw a massive moment for the academy as Stefan van Wijngaarden’s substitute appearance marked his return from the leg injury that had seen him sidelined since October 18, 2024. 

“It’s been a really long road, and really tough both physically and mentally, so we’re delighted to get him back on the pitch”, reflected Winter. “Hopefully, this will be the start of him getting some more minutes and being a real part of this squad for the remainder of the season.” 

Woking: Sammie Saward, Bailey Cotton, Josh Solecki (Kooshan Hayati 73’), Leo Christophers, Kemall Wilson, Joel Jennison-Leppa, Denis Travin, Quincy Patterson, Joden Trickett, Lucas Boxall © (Stefan van Wijngaarden 90+3’), Jayden Hudson-Odoi. Unused substitutes: Chris Rangel, Mikey Verga (GK), Jack Lewis. 

Goalscorer: Travin (26’). 

 

Thursday 5th February 

Woking U18 P – P Abbey Rangers: Suburban Football League – Premier Division 

Match postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Knaphill FC, Redding Way 

 

Loan (Dual Registered Players) watch 

Tuesday 3rd February 

Sam Saward, Goalkeeper, EDS – Horley Town: Played the full game in the 0 – 5 defeat at Sutton United in the Surrey Senior Cup Quarter Final. 

 

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.