Woking FC v AFC Fylde

SATURDAY 20TH APRIL 2024

OFF: 12:15

CEO NOTES

JOhN kATZ

Greetings and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium as the Cards welcome our visitors from AFC Fylde.

Before I start, I would like to extend our thanks to the stewards and medical team for attending to one of our supporters after a health incident in the away end last week. Happy to report that our supporter is back in Woking after a short stay in hospital.

This is it. The most important game we’ve played in a long time.

In Michael Doyler’s Red & White Army, we trust.

“A reminder to not enter the pitch following the match to allow the lads and our coaching staff to do a lap of appreciation for your amazing support through a rollercoaster of a season.”

“Thanks again for sticking with us during this period of change. The one constant has been your support. And, as ever… It means the world to our entire Club.”

I’m not going to dwell on the many permutations of scorelines and results, but today is in our hands. So let’s be the 12th man today.

A reminder to not enter the pitch following the match to allow the lads and our coaching staff to do a lap of appreciation for your amazing support through a rollercoaster of a season.

Today, after 21 years, we say thanks to David Holmes. David has taken pictures for the Club for 21 years and has served as our Club Photographer for over 15 of them. We thank David for his tireless service to the Club, the miles logged across the country for our matches and for the memories we’ve been able to share postmatch with his amazing work. He’ll still be around the place, so make sure we always make Holmsie feel welcome at the Laithwaite.

The torch has been passed to Phil Fiddes – a familiar face to Woking supporters both home and away. We welcome Phil as our new Club Photographer!

As we play our final game of the season, it is time for fans to vote for their Goal of the Season which will be available online this weekend and open to cast your vote until Noon on Tuesday 23rd April. Please make your choice from the selection chosen by cameraman extraordinaire, Mick Phillips.

My personal thanks go out to our volunteers, our matchday staff, our Club Staff and our supporters for making this season run smoothly. My thanks also to Michael and his team and to all of the players for leaving everything out on the pitch today.

Thanks again for sticking with us during this period of change. The one constant has been your support. And, as ever… It means the world to our entire Club.

Always remember that the complaint (and compliment) line is always open. Just email me at john.katz@wokingfc.co.uk and we can take in your feedback. Or, as the kids say, you can slide into my DMs on Twitter at @jekatz33.

Best,

John Katz Chief Executive

MIChAEL DOYLE

IN SAFE hANDS

As a reminder, it is our goal to ensure that all supporters feel safe and welcome at the Laithwaite Community Stadium. To that end, on 11 December 2021, the Club launched the “In Safe Hands” programme to help our fans report racist, sexist, homophobic, or other abusive language simply and anonymously.

If you hear any abusive language, experience it yourself or if you or someone you see feels / looks threatened, you can text the Club anonymously and the message will be monitored by our Safety Officer during the match. Simply text WFC (followed by the nature of your concern and location) to 66777 and we will address your concerns. Example: If you hear racial abuse whilst sitting in the KRE, please send the following text to 66777: “WFC racial abuse centre section of KRE.”

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AhEAD OF ThE GAME

Woking vs Dagenham & AFC Fylde

Vanarama National League

Saturday 20th April 2024

12:15 Kick-Off

Woking play Fylde on Saturday knowing that their National League status is in their own hands.

Following last Saturday’s defeat to York, results elsewhere have seen the Cards sitting in 20th spot before the final weekend, but the crunch match between 19th placed Ebbsfleet United and 21st placed Boreham Wood means a point will be enough.

However, Michael Doyle will no doubt want to finish the season on a high regardless and claim all three points to finish what has been a good spell of home form. His side have lost just one of their last eight home games, which was also the only home game they failed to score in.

He will also have some decisions to make based on selection; with names such as Rhys Browne, Tunji Akinola and Timi Odusina now back, some players will have to miss out on the squad entirely.

OPPOSITION WATCH

AFC Fylde were dead and buried at Christmas time. Six points off safety and sitting rock bottom of the

National League table, improvements were being noticed by the Fylde board, who gave former Carlisle manager Chris Beech the permanent job as manager after previously being interim. What followed has been an outstanding turnaround. A run of 37 points from 22 games has seen the Coasters secure safety with a game to spare.

Key to this run of form have been attacking duo Nick Haughton and Jon Ustabasi. Haughton was well known before this season; the 29-year-old forward attracted interest from higher up the pyramid after his 26 goal season in the National League North last season, but stayed at the Coasters and has scored 18 in 43 games. 30-yearold winger Ustabasi, signed from Chorley in the summer has 12 goals to his name, and keep an eye out for Danny Ormerod: the youngster has lit up the National League and has 7 goals to his name.

Although safe, Fylde will want to finish their first season back in non-league’s top flight on a high, after an indifferent end to the season. In their last eight, the Coasters have picked up 10 points, losing four times.

TICKET INFORMATION

Adults: £20

Concession: £15

Next-Gen (17-22): £12

Under 17 (14-16): £8

Under 14 (13 & under): £5

LAST TIME OUT

Goals from Padraig Amond and Lewis Walker sealed all three points at Mill Farm back in September, as the Cards ran out 2-0 winners.

Previously, the sides have met three other times, with the Cards victorious on all occasions, but they haven't met at the Laithwaite since January 2018, when a Lazar Stojsavilejvic goal was enough for a 1-0 win.

AROUND THE GROUND

Ticket information is available here.

There will be live music after the game from Doubting Thomas.

The Cardinals Bar closes at 21:00pm with a happy hour from straight after the game until close.

The FA Cup semi final between Chelsea and Manchester City will also be shown in the bar.

MATCHDAY GUIDE

Click here for information on gate opening times, food and drink facilities, the Club shop and other ticketing information.

DISABLED SUPPORTERS

Click here for more information.

ARRIVING AT THE STADIUM

Kingfield Road turnstiles – blue and yellow entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, unless otherwise stated.

Westfield Avenue turnstiles - red and orange entry opens two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, unless otherwise stated.

Away supporter turnstiles - white entry opens two hours before kick-off, unless stated otherwise.

Supporters who have purchased a hospitality package will have green entry and should enter through the Guest Entrance, Kingfield Road.

Supporters are reminded to arrive at the Laithwaite Community Stadium in good time, and are not guaranteed to gain entry in time for kick-off when arriving less than 30 minutes before kick-off.

FOOD & DRINK

The Cardinals Bar is located at the front of the stadium.

The bar has full draught and bottle beer options. The Fan Zone is the newest addition for supporters and is located opposite the Cardinals Bar.

CLUB SHOP

The Club Shop is open two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, located by the Fan Zone.

The shop is also open Mon - Fri, 10:00 - 16:00, upon check-in at reception.

TICKETING INFORMATION

All Woking FC Season Ticket holders can use their Season Ticket card to enter Laithwaite Community Stadium for all Vanarama National League matches.

Supporters with individual match tickets can use the e-ticket they purchased which was emailed from noreply@ktckts.com. Such tickets can be scanned on a smartphone or when printed.

ANY ASSISTANCE NEEDED FOR MATCHDAY PLEASE CONTACT TICKETS@WOKINGFC.CO.UK, CALL 01483 772470, OR COME TO RECEPTION MON - FRI, 09:00 - 17:00, OR MATCHDAYS, 09:00 - HALF-TIME.

FiDE eT DiLiGENTiA

Woking FC 2023/24 Kits

Supplied by ProDirect Clubhouse, the shirts will be available in-store at the Laithwaite Community Stadium for the home match.

MATCh ACTION

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WELCOME

AFC Fylde

CLICK HERE for the complete squad list

www.afcfylde.co.uk

Formed in 1988 following the amalgamation of Kirkham Town and Wesham, the club was initially called Kirkham and Wesham, and assumed Kirkham Town’s place in Division One of the West Lancashire League. In only its second season, the club finished bottom of the division and were relegated to Division Two. It took the club three seasons to get promoted again, before they were relegated back just two seasons later.

They were promoted back to Division One as runners up, and remained there until 1998, when it was renamed the Premier Division. In seven of the eight seasons between 1999 and 2007, the club were champions of the Premier Division, finally being accepted to Division Two of the North West Counties League for the 2007-08 season.

At the Club AGM in July 2007, local businessman David Haythornthwaite joined the club, and put forward a plan to reach the Football League by 2022. That season, Kirkham & Wesham won the FA Vase, beating Lowestoft Town 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, and also winning promotion to the Premier Division.

Before the 2008-09 season, the club changed its name to AFC Fylde and won the Premier Division that season to win promotion to Division One North of the Northern Premier League. After defeat in the playoff final to Chorley, Dave Challinor became manager in November 2011, dropping two divisions from Colwyn Bay to join the Coasters.

LAST 5 SEASONS

Challinor helped Fylde overturn a 16 point deficit to win the title and earn another promotion, this time to the Northern Premier League Premier Division. After another playoff defeat, this time to Hednesford Town on penalties, the club were promoted to the Conference North in 2013-14 after beating Ashton United on penalties in the playoff final.

A second placed finish in the Conference North saw them lose to Guiseley 3-1 on aggregate in the playoff semi final, before a third placed finish in 2015-16 saw the club lose 2-1 to North Ferriby United in the playoff final after extra time. Fylde would gain promotion to the National League after winning the National League North title in 2016-17, and their first two National League seasons saw them finish in the playoffs twice. In 2017-18 they lost at Boreham Wood in the eliminator, before a 3-0 defeat to Salford at Wembley in the final in 2018-19.

However, the club became the first to ever win the FA Trophy and Vase when they beat National

League champions Leyton Orient in 2019 thanks to a goal from Danny Rowe. Challinor left the club after three promotions in October 2019, being sacked with the club in the drop zone.

A narrow 2-1 defeat at Premier League Sheffield United in their first ever FA Cup third round appearance was a rare highlight of a poor 201920 season which saw the club relegated after COVID-19 curtailed the season. They finished third in the 2021-22 National League North, before losing to Boston United in the playoffs.

Under the guidance of Adam Murray, the club gained promotion back to the fifth tier as champions in 2022-23, but with the Coasters rock bottom of the fifth tier in October 2023, Murray was sacked. New manager Chris Beech has taken the Coasters to safety with a brilliant run of form, inspired by Nick Haughton, with the midfielder scoring 18 times this season.

DAVID hOLMES

Woking Football Club would like to express our sincere thanks to David Holmes as he stands down as the official Club Photographer after the final home game of the season against AFC Fylde.

David (commonly known as ‘Holmesie’) began taking pictures for the club at away games 21 years ago before standing in for Tony Charters at home. He became the official Club Photographer in 2006. Woking supporters will be well acquainted with the high quality of David’s work which has brilliantly captured so many key, memorable moments. David’s work has featured regularly in the NonLeague Paper and in the local press as well as the club platforms and has been a solid, ever-present foundation of our great media reputation.

The thousands of hours spent travelling the length and breadth of the country and quickly processing thousands of shots for our enjoyment are deeply appreciated by the Board, the players and our supporters; many former players have also drawn on David’s work for their own memories. David was rightly recognised as Woking FC ‘Clubman of the Year’ several years ago and we are also delighted to be making a special presentation to him before his final game. David and his wife Fiona will also be invited as ‘guests of honour’ in the Geoff Chapple Lounge at a game next season.

We are pleased and grateful that Phil Fiddes is now picking up the baton and carrying on David’s excellent work – a hard act to follow!

Thank you

David Holmes!

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FIXTURES & RESULTS

Sat Aug 05

Sat Aug 12 Altrincham

Tue Aug 15 Rochdale

Sat Aug 19 Barnet

Sat Aug 26

Aug

Sat Sept 02

Sept 09

Sat Sept 16 Hartlepool United

Tue Sept 19 Ebbsfleet United

Sat Sept 23 York City

Tue Sept 26 Wealdstone

Sat Sept 30 AFC Fylde

OCTOBER

Tue Oct 03 FC Halifax Town

Sat Oct 07 Southend United

Sat Oct 14 Hemel Hempstead (FAC)

Tue Oct 17 Hemel Hempstead (FAC)

Sat Oct 21 Dagenham & Redbridge

Tue Oct 24 Eastleigh

Sat Oct 28 Bromley

NOVEMBER Sat Nov 04 Ramsgate (FAC)

Nov

Nov

Tue Nov 21 Chesterfield

Sat Nov 25 Boreham Wood

DECEMBER

Sam Habergham

Rohan Ince

Will Jaaskelainen

Alan Judge

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ABOUT

The Cards Trust (Cardinals Supporters Society) has worked with the Club to represent fans for more than a decade. The Trust is a shareholder of the Club (and owns around a quarter of it) and has a representative on the Board to put forward the fans’ views.

MEMBERSHIP

Supporters can join The Cards Trust for just £10 per year. Information about joining is on the Trust website.

BOOST THE BUDGET

An initiative to help the Club’s playing budget with regular contributions. More than £200,000 has gone to the Club throughout the scheme.

THE 400 CLUB

A prize draw with twelve draws per year. Around £20,000 has been given to support the Club and more than £12,000 in prizes.

GOLDRUSH

The prize draw that gives back 50% to the lucky winner with a draw at half-time on matchday, with a minimum stake of just £1. The prizes have recently been around £400 and the winning number is announced and displayed on the digital screen at half-time.

SOCIAL EVENTS AND VOLUNTEERING

The Trust also organises social events and co-

ordinates the activities of volunteers. Please get in touch if you would like to help on match days.

JUNIOR CARDS

A scheme with a range of activities for under 16s including stadium tours and competitions.

PLAYER AWARD VOTES

The Fans’ Player of the Month and Player of the Season polls are conducted by the Trust.

AWAY MATCH TRAVEL

The Cards Trust arranges coach travel to away matches for supporters at the lowest cost possible. If you are an advertiser that would like to sponsor the travel, please get in touch.

Details of all coaches are available on the Trust website, where tickets can be booked online, usually up to 23:00 on the day before the match. Members and Junior Cards get discounted away match travel.

SUPPORTERS’ LIAISON GROUP

The SLG consults with fans (both Trust members and non-members) and the Club to improve the fan experience.

Real change has been made based on ideas from the group including the successful Turner's Tannoy appeal which has financed the recent upgrade in the PA at the stadium.

THE CARDS TRUST ThIS WEEk'S UPDATES

SUPPORTERS COACHES

Thank you to everybody who has used the Supporters Coach this season. Your support is really appreciated, see you in 2024/25!

Trust Members

Adults £45, U16's/Junior Cards £40

Non Members

Adults £50, U16's £45

Outward Only - £27 Return Only £27

To book please visit:  www.cardstrust.co.uk or email  adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk

You can take part online here or get a form from the Trust office on a match day. All monies raised go towards supporting Woking FC.

400 CLUB

The 400 Club had its February draw on Monday 26th. The winners were:

£100 - Number 54 – Phillip Crawford

£75 - Number 65 – Rupert Phillips

£50 - Number 60 – Bill Sutton

Contact John.hooker@cardstrust.co.uk to take part or get additional numbers.

GOLDRUSH

Today’s Goldrush will be a hybrid of online and ‘at the ground’ sales.

JUNIOR CARDS BIRTHDAYS

Thank you for your support this season. Please note that renewals for season 2024/25 will be available soon!

Grace Burnett - 24th April - 10 years old BOOST THE BUDGET

Boost the Budget has been able to support the Club by funding the loan of Jayden Luker to the end of the season.

www.cardstrust.co.uk

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CARDS INTO CHAIRMAN'S CUP FINAL

Woking secured back-to-back Chairman’s Cup final appearances thanks to a brilliant performance against Division One North league leaders Long Crendon. The Cards will now face Beaconsfield Town Ladies in the Final at Reading City FC on April 28th, at 11:00am.

Gaby Hobday had the game's first chance inside ten minutes, but her effort was saved by the goalkeeper.

Kaitlin Howard and Ellie Boddy made longawaited returns to the side on either side of the half-hour mark, replacing Hayley Giles and Laura Mitchell.

Shortly before half-time, a moment of pure magic from Bianca Underhill saw her score directly from a corner on the left-hand side to put her team in front. The number two was in pure disbelief before being congratulated by her teammates.

It could have been two just before the break when Kaitlin fired a shot towards goal, but she was unlucky to see it rebound off the bar.

Trudy Bryan-Kerr was forced off seconds before the whistle due to an injury outside the box and was replaced by Caitlin Burnett, making her senior debut after being promoted from the Development Team.

HT: Woking 1-0 Long Crendon

In the second half, the visitors slowly found their way into the game, but couldn’t quite get into positions to test the returning Amy Jenkins.

Bianca went on a brilliant run down the right during a Woking spell that lasted a few minutes and found Charlotte Keenan who placed a great cross into Kaitlin, but her header was saved. Kaitlin had another chance just a minute later when she spectacularly tried to

lop the ‘keeper from 20-yards out, but just saw her effort go over the crossbar.

Hayley and Laura both returned in the 70th minute, swapping with Caitlin and Sophie.

The Cards doubled their lead five minutes later thanks to a fantastic ball in behind from Bianca putting the goalkeeper under pressure, allowing a small touch to fall to Kaitlin who smashed home from an angle.

The visitors grabbed a consolation almost immediately after a mistake from Amy in goal, parrying the ball into the ball of a Crendon player, but it didn’t matter because Woking restored their two-goal lead right away. An electric run from Gaby down the left allowed her to pass to Charlotte who scored on her second attempt to put the game to bed.

FT: Woking 3-1 Long Crendon

An immense occasion for all involved, as the team now have the chance to retain the trophy that they won just 12 months ago. This time, however, the journey to the final has been much better and the trophy is in reaching distance.

Woking Starting XI: Jenkins, Burgess (70), Mitchell (35) (70), Cotter ©, Underhill (89), Theocharous, Nichol, Bryan-Kerr (45+4), Hobday (80), Giles (28) (70), Keenan

Subs: Boddy (35), Howard (28), Burnett (45+4) (70) (80), Brown, Marr (89)

Attendance: 54

Player of the Match: Bianca Underhill

ACADEMY

The Woking FC Academy has been operating in its current format for over a decade with the aim of helping talented young footballers make progress into the club's first team set up or in their sporting careers whilst continuing with their academic studies.

For the 2023/24 season, the youth and academy setup runs in three stages; a pre-academy for six to nine-year-olds, a youth academy for nine to 16-year-olds, and a full-time academy for talented young players above the age of 16, including an education plan.

The Academy works with the Football Club's partner charitable and community organisation, Cardinals in the Community (CITC).

Notable academy graduates in recent history include Woking legends Craig Ross and Joe McNerney, Wrexham's Ollie Palmer, and exChelsea and now-Reading's Jayden Wareham.

PRE-ACADEMY

The Pre-Academy is for the very youngest players, covering U7s, U8s and U9s. Meeting once a week, players train and learn in a fun and friendly environment under the watchful eye of our coaches. Players that show real talent have the opportunity to progress to Woking FC Academy Youth.

The Pre-Academy trains at The Winston Churchill School in Woking, Thursdays, 17:00 - 18:00.

YOUTH ACADEMY

Starting with U9s and progressing through the age groups right up to U16s, players train with our Academy coaches and have the opportunity to play competitively in the Junior Premier League. Training is held twice weekly at CITC’s sports hub, within the grounds of Woking College, and matches are played on Saturdays. At this level, players are able to continue playing for their grassroots clubs.

As with the main Academy, players receive a progress report twice per season, which helps identify areas of their game to work on and improve. U16s players are assessed throughout the season with a view to being invited to join Woking FC Academy.

WOKING FC ACADEMY

Woking FC Academy is a National League licensed academy. We aim to develop each and every player to reach their full potential, instilling ambition and a professional attitude. We work as closely as possible to Category 3 Academy standards, creating a professional environment in which players thrive.

Players train 5-6 hours per week at CITC’s sports hub. Their development is supported by video analysis of training and matches, group workshops and strength and conditioning sessions. One-to-one reviews are held twice every season, along with player reports so that both the coaching staff and the players themselves have a clear focus on individual development.

Woking FC Academy plays competitive matches in the U18 Isthmian League, U19 National League and also have the opportunity to play in U23 fixtures. Players in our Elite Development Plan (EDP) compete in the Tactic League and National B League. Cup competitions are a feature of the fixture calendar. Pre-season training includes friendlies and there are opportunities to travel abroad for football tours and tournaments, including the Gothia Cup.

Our football timetable is planned in conjunction with players’ education. Academy players can

choose to attend Woking College or focus on gaining the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport, which is delivered by SCL Education at Westfield FC. Players on the EDP pathway study towards the NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (equivalent to 3 A levels) with SCL.

AGE GROUP COMPETITIONS

Under 23s - Second and third years (and progressing first years)

Play in: Suburban Football League - Premier Division

Home games: Knaphill FC, Thursdays, 19:30

Under 19s - Second and third years (and progressing first years)

National League U19 Alliance - Academy

South Division

Home games: Westfield FC, weekdays, daytime

Under 19B - predominantly U17s - first years

National League U19 Alliance - Division E

Woking College, weekdays, daytime

Under 18s - predominantly U17s - first years

Pitching In Isthmian Football League - Youth West Division

Knaphill FC, Thursdays, 19:30

Players will also have the chance to represent the academy in the prestigious FA Youth Cup.

ACADEMY BULLeTIN

A MIXED WEEK FOR BUSY CARDS

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Week commencing 15th April 2024

WEDNESDAY 17th APRIL

11:30 - Woking U17 v Maidenhead United U17

National League Alliance – Division E

Woking College, Rydens Way

13:00 - Dartford U19 v Woking U19

National League Alliance – Academy South

Princes Park Stadium, Dartford FC

THURSDAY 18th APRIL

19:30 - Woking U23 v St Albans City U23

Suburban Football League – Premier Division

Knaphill FC, Redding Way

FRIDAY 19th APRIL

11:30 - Woking U19 v Southend United U19

National League Alliance – Academy South

Woking College, Rydens Way

MONDAY 22nd APRIL

19:45: Camberley Town U18 v Woking U18

Isthmian Football League – Youth West Division

Krooner Park, Camberley

Following Camberley’s 3 – 0 victory against Bedfont Sports last Thursday this game becomes a league title decider. Woking need a draw to become champions.

For up-to-date information on fixtures refer to the Woking Football Club Academy twitter page.

MATCH REPORTS

Week commencing 8th April

A difficult week for the Cards with fixture congestion, injuries and player holidays all having an impact as the season draws to a close.

MONDAY 8th APRIL

Welling United U19 3 – 1 Woking U19

National League Alliance – Academy South Eltham Goals, Eltham Palace Road

A tough afternoon for the Cards as the busy schedule continues, with Welling getting ahead in the competition for mid-table positions.

Woking: Owen Crawford, Charlie Robertson, Tom Gardner (c), Aidy Silverstein, Louis Pask, Alex Rihoy (Keion Vassell 75), Lucas Boxall, Jayden Wynter (Ellis Byrne 50), Sam Brittain, Lui Edwards, Stanley Kyle.

Unused subs: Harry White (GK), Jayden Langford.

Goal: Sam Brittain.

WEDNESDAY 10th APRIL

Bromley U17 4 - 2 Woking U17 (Half-time 3 – 1)

National League Alliance – Division E

Bromley FC, Hayes Lane

Woking: Mikey Verga, Sean Bull (Jiyah Kapotwe 35), Ben Smith, Charlie Sweeney, Jayden Smith, Tommy Seale, Saadiq Bangura-Kerr, Roshaun Cooper (Jack Bashford 68), Fynn Lawrence (Alvaro Picon 46), Ollie Saword, Byron Mitchell.

Goals: Mitchell 10, Bashford 77.

Woking U19 0 - 0 Maidstone United U19 National League Alliance – Academy South Westfield FC, Woking Park

A hard-fought game in difficult rather wintry conditions against a side whose only recent defeat had come against Dartford, this season’s Academy South league winners. Maidstone had the better of the early exchanges but could not find a decisive pass or set-piece routine to create a goal, Tom Gardner blocking Akshar Santosh when he did look to be in with a chance.

Woking nearly had the lead on 27 minutes, Gardner side-footing wide from the lively Keion Vassell’s cross. And Woking had more of the play with Aiden Payne-James nearly finishing off Lui Edwards’ fine build-up play, a constant throughout the game. Harry White was called in to action on 40 minutes, making a very good save diving at the feet of Alfee Wincott when the Maidstone player looked certain to score. Maidstone continued to trouble Woking with their quick passing game, but still without a breakthrough.

HT: Woking 0 – 0 Maidstone United

The pace continued after the break, but without any clear-cut chances. On the hour Woking made a change, bringing on Ellis Byrne, and changing to a back four, with Harrison Stevens moving in to midfield.

Woking nearly made a costly error as Gardner and Brook got their wires crossed, but Gardner was able to clear the ball out of harm’s way. Woking’s players continued to battle well, and deserved their hardearned point.

A frantic, end-to-end, eight minutes of added time could have seen the game go either way. There were a number of chances at both ends. Substitute Sam Brittain providing some much-needed energy and Lui Edwards just not quite getting away from his marker when it looked like he may run on to score. Whilst at the other end Bradley Murphy made a great block to ensure the draw.

Woking: Harry White, Harrison Stevens, Tom Gardner, Ethan Gold; Charlie Robertson, Alex Rihoy, Jamie Hilton (Ellis Byrne 58), Bradley Murphy; Aiden Payne-James (Stanley Kyle 87), Lui Edwards,

Keion Vassell (Sam Brittain 72). Unused sub: Jayden Langford.

Maidstone United: Chris Swift, Alfee Wincott (Harry Short 77), Liam Wilson, Sonny Jackson (Kaelem Sobhee-Turner 67), Tyler Jackson-Hunt (c), Tyler Hatton, Ashton Mitford, Liam Parle, Elliott Wenham (Akash Santosh 63), AJ Clark, Akshar Santosh. Unused sub: Riley Court.

THURSDAY 11th APRIL

Woking U23 4 - 1 Cobham U23 Suburban Football League – Premier Division Knaphill FC, Redding Way

Woking ended the week on a high, but it was not as straightforward as the scoreline might suggest against a Cobham team that arrived with a goal difference of –41. Cobham were well organised, with a frustrating offside trap, and it took 3 goals in 9 second-half minutes for the Cards to prevail.

Woking started well but when Darius Ogoden’s hit the bar with a well-hit curling effort from outside the area after 11 minutes, it was clear that the Cards were not going to have things all their own way. There were chances at both ends, and it was Cobham who took the lead after half-an-hour, Louis Toussaint showing excellent close control as he dribbled in the penalty area, before slotting the ball past Mikey Verga.

Woking found Toussaint’s physical strength difficult to counteract, although they had chances to level through Stanley Kyle, Louis Pask and Lucas Boxall, but went to the break still trailing.

HT: Woking 0 Cobham 1

Henry McDonald, a second-year trialist from Chichester City, was introduced at the start of the second-half, and his skill and energy was to make a difference. Although Simon Fraser missed a guiltedged chance to make it 0 – 2 before Woking equalised.

Woking came close when Ellis Byrne set up Boxall, who hit the post, and not before Harry White had made a good save, Woking were level. Quicker passing and movement put Kyle in down the left-side in the 51st minute, and his cross-shot went in to the far top corner.

An open game saw chances at both ends, and more composed finishing could have seen either side in the lead before Woking took the lead on the 76th minute, when a very well delivered McDonald corner was emphatically volleyed home by Kyle. Cobham still pressed forward, but the game was about to get away from them. Boxall had already seen one shot blocked by Kanu Mohammed’s face as the ‘keeper misjudged the bounce, when he put a quality finishing touch to a fine passing move involving McDonald and Kyle. Kyle completed his hat-trick, and Woking’s victory, with another great finish, beating his man on the edge of the area and hitting the top corner, the problems with the offside trap well and truly solved. There was still time for a fine Chris McCormick effort, his bullet towards the top corner well tipped around the post by Mohammed, before the referee decided against any added time.

Woking: Mikey Verga (Harry White 46), Owen Sims, Harrison Stevens, Aidy Silverstein, Tommy Seale (Henry McDonald 46), Sam Brittain, Ellis Byrne (c), Lucas Boxall (Chris McCormick 81), Louis Pask (Saadiq Bangura-Kerr 75), Matt Farrelly (Keion Vassell 69), Stanley Kyle.

Goals: Kyle 51, 76, 84, Boxall 80.

Cobham: Kanu Mohammed, Joshua Tawah, Louis Elsom, Cameron Deighton, Freddie Pritchett, Louis Toussaint, Ruben Boyd (c), Federico Rodella, Johnny Dempsey, Simon Fraser, Darius Ogoden.

Subs: Thomas Kerbey, Michael Adeosun, Nehemiah Skerrett, Cameron Harrison, Theo Walker, Ivey Shai (GK).

Goal: Toussaint 30.

Referee: Ian Kitchen.

MONDAY 15TH APRIL

Camberley Town U18 P - P Woking U18

Isthmian Football League – Youth West Division Krooner Park, Camberley

Game rescheduled for Monday 22nd April.

LOAN (DUAL REGISTERED PLAYERS)

WATCH:

TUESDAY 9th APRIL

Owen Crawford, Goalkeeper, 3rd year –Camberley Town: Played full game in 1 – 5 defeat to AFC Croydon Athletic, with one of his saves a highlight of the game.

SATURDAY 13th APRIL

Aiden Payne-James. Forward, 2nd year –Sevenoaks Town: Did not play in 2 – 1 victory over Littlehampton Town.

Owen Crawford, Goalkeeper, 3rd year –Camberley Town: Did not play in 0 – 3 home defeat to Abbey Rangers.

Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 2nd year –Ascot United: Played 79 minutes of 3 – 1 defeat at Chertsey Town, receiving a caution in the 73rd minute.

Lui Edwards, Forward, 3rd year – Sandhurst Town: No fixture.

Harry White, Goalkeeper, 1st year –Sandhurst Town: No fixture.

Jamie Hilton, Centre Midfield, 3rd yearGuildford City: Played in 0 – 4 home defeat to Cobham.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year - Guildford City: Did not play in 0 – 4 home defeat to Cobham.

Keiondre Ellis-Vassell, Forward, 2nd year – Guildford City: Did not play in 0 – 4 home defeat to Cobham.

Bob Honey, Goalkeeper, 1st year –Spelthorne Sports: Awaiting information.