Woking FC v Kidderminster Harriers FC

W KING

2023/24

TUESDAY 5TH MARCH 2024

KICK OFF: 19:45

V. kIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

Ricky koRboA

Chief

Honorary

Ticketing

Accounts

Shop

CEO NOTES

JoHN kATZ

Greetings and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium as the Cards welcome our visitors from Kidderminster. Rain won the spoils on Saturday, so we’re back to give it another go.

Last time we met, we were treated to nearly 20 minutes of second-half stoppage time as the Cards came from behind to beat Gateshead 3-2. Ricky Korboa’s 87’ strike was the winner and, as the top of the net ripped, the Laithwaite faithful erupted. After what felt like an hour, the boys celebrated a much-deserved victory.

“Performances have been building and the workrate of the players has been so strong. There is positivity brewing once again, and it’s been exciting to watch the growth of the squad under Michael Doyle.”

“Ricky Korboa’s 87’ strike was the winner and, as the top of the net ripped, the Laithwaite faithful erupted. After what felt like an hour, the boys celebrated a much-deserved victory.”

Performances have been building and the workrate of the players has been so strong. There is positivity brewing once again, and it’s been exciting to watch the growth of the squad under Michael Doyle.

Shortly after the match last Tuesday, there was an accident on Kingfield Road. For those of you who weren’t here, two young people were hit by a van as they crossed the street. Our stewards, Safety Officer and members of staff took control of the situation. They involved our team doctor, our physio and our medics from St. John’s Ambulance.

Our PA man Charlie was on scene and took the keys from the driver as he alerted Surrey Police and the ambulance service to come quickly.

Both of the victims were released from hospital the day after the accident. While we had feared the worst for the female victim, she escaped with only a broken collarbone. The male victim did not take the full impact of the collision and just had minor injuries. This was an incredible outcome all things considered.

Reflecting on the events of the night, I am reminded how blessed we are to have such a dedicated and amazing team on the ground that reacted quickly, professionally and without a moment’s hesitation. Their actions will have prevented the outcome from being worse.

Let’s continue to throw our support behind Doyler and the boys. They (and we) need you.

Thank you all, as always, for your continued support. 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.”

The Premier League,

The FA and Government are together for football. Unlocking the power of pitches to transform lives and strengthen communities.

AHEAD of THE GAME

Woking vs Kidderminster Harriers

Vanarama National League

Tuesday 5th March 2024

19:45 Kick-Off

Woking kick off March with a six pointer against a rejuvenated Kidderminster Harriers.

Following last Tuesday’s late, late drama against Gateshead, Michael Doyle will be hoping for back-to-back wins for the first time under his leadership, as the Cards look to extend their unbeaten home run to four games.With Jermaine Anderson suspended following his sending off for two bookings, there is an opening in the Woking midfield for Saturday, and substitutes Dennon Lewis, Ricky Korboa and Jayden Luker all impressed off the bench; Korboa netting the winner against the Heed.

OPPOSITION WATCH

When Phil Brown arrived in Worcestershire, no one really gave his side a chance at survival. Ahead of hosting Aldershot in his first league game, Kiddy were seven points adrift of safety with 20 points from 28 games.

Eight games later, and six wins, a draw and their only defeat coming at home to Gateshead means Harriers now have 39 points from 36 games, leaving them just a point off exiting the drop zone for the first time since September.

On Tuesday night, they also had a crucial win against a playoff contender, a 1-0 away win at Solihull Moors, however, much like the Cards, they had a player sent off late on for two bookings. Krystian Pearce will miss the game through suspension, which means Harriers will have to find a new partner for star centre back Alex Penny.

Phil Brown has also brought in several players to help the cause, most notably veteran forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Last at Jamshedpur FC in India, he featured for two minutes off the bench for his first appearance since April 2023 on Tuesday night.

LAST TIME OUT

With this being the reverse fixture of the opening day of the season, the Cards and the Harriers played out an eventful 0-0 draw at Aggborough back at the start of August.

The last meeting before that was a 1-1 draw between the sides in March 2016 at the Laithwaite as despite Kiddy’s relegation that season, Woking picked up just a single point from the two games.

Overall, in 40 matches between the sides, Woking have won 13, Kiddy have won 16, and there have been 11 draws.

AROUND THE GROUND

Ticket pricing and other details are available here.

Home supporters can purchase tickets here. Away supporters can purchase tickets here.

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.

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 01483967229, or come to reception Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 17:00, or matchdays, 09:00 - half-time.

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

Introducing the Woking Weekender! We are excited to launch this year's three-day event!

We are delighted to announce that Glenn Hoddle will be joining us for 'An Evening with'.

A big night. Let's have that be the start.

Huge three points, backed by you. We keep fighting on.

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

@wokingfc

Spearheading us to three points. Never say die. It's not over until we say so.

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

GATESHEAD WOKING

DINANGA 14’

WHELAN 36’

WALKER 3’

KENDALL 80’

KORBOA 87’

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Kidderminster Harriers

www.harriers.co.uk

Founded in 1886, Kidderminster Harriers would merge with rivals Kidderminster Olympic in 1890 to form Kidderminster FC, but the new professional club lasted just one season before being wound up with debts of £369 in March 1891.

Reverting to amateur status the following season, also returning to the Harriers name, it would take until 1938 for Kiddy to win the West Midlands League, but their first Southern League season the following year lasted just two games before the outbreak of World War II.

Promoted to the Alliance Premier League (now the National League) after finishing second behind AP Leamington in the Southern League, who were refused promotion due to ground grading, Harriers were controversially refused promotion to the Football League after finishing as champions in 1994.

This was due to the Football League tightening their fire safety regulations after the Bradford City stadium fire, and despite a new main stand being built in place of the current wooden one, the Football League rejected Harriers’ promotion.

LAST

They would then finish second in 1997 but won the Conference again in 1999-2000 with Jan Molby as manager. This time, promotion was gained, and five seasons were spent in the Football League, until relegation in 2004-05.

Fast forward to 2012-13 when a memorable run of 22 wins from 23 games saw Harriers finish second in the Conference but were unable to beat Wrexham over two legs in the playoffs. Relegation to the National League North followed in 2015-16, and numerous attempts in the playoffs proved unsuccessful until last season, when Russ Penn’s side were promoted after finishing 6th, winning three consecutive away games including a 2-0 win in the final at Brackley.

Under Penn’s guidance, Harriers also memorably took West Ham to extra time in February 2022, being cruelly beaten 2-1 by the Hammers in the FA Cup fourth round after an injury time equaliser

from Declan Rice had sent the tie into extra time. Penn was sacked in January 2024 with Kiddy rock bottom of the National League, and Phil Brown’s appointment has been a huge success so far, dragging Kiddy within touching distance of safety before tonight’s game.

Captain Shane Byrne joined the club from Brackley in Summer 2022 and was a huge part of the side that defeated his former club to gain promotion. Having recovered from a knee injury suffered against the Cards, a recent setback means that he is touch and go to face Woking.

In his absence, impressive defender Alex Penny has been a stalwart for Harriers, and grabbed the winning goal against Oldham at Boundary Park. Having only missed 14 minutes of action under Brown, he is one to watch ahead of Kiddy coming to the Laithwaite.

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AUGUST

Sat Aug 05 Kidderminster Harriers

Sat Aug 12 Altrincham

Tue Aug 15 Rochdale

Sat Aug 19 Barnet

Sat Aug 26 Gateshead

Mon Aug 28 Dorking Wanderers

SEPTEMBER

Sat Sept 02 Maidenhead United

Sat Sept 09 Solihull Moors

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)

Sat Nov 11 Oxford City

Sat Nov 18 Oldham Athletic

Tue Nov 21 Chesterfield

Sat Nov 25 Boreham Wood

DECEMBER

Sat Dec 09 Weston-super-Mare (FAT R3)

Sat Dec 16 Dorking Wanderers

Sat Dec 23 Maidenhead United

Tue Dec 26 Aldershot Town

JANUARY

Mon Jan 01 Aldershot Town

Sat Jan 06 Solihull Moors

Tue Jan 23 Chesterfield

Sat Jan 27 Oldham Athletic

FEBRUARY

Sat Feb 03 Boreham Wood

Tue Feb 06 Oxford City

Sat Feb 10 Hartlepool United

Sat Feb 17 FC Halifax Town

Tue Feb 20 Ebbsfleet United

Sat Feb 24 Wealdstone

Tue Feb 27 Gateshead

MARCH

Sat Mar 02 Kidderminster Harriers

Sat Mar 09 Altrincham

Tue Mar 12 Rochdale

Tunji Akinola

Jermaine Anderson

Alexis Andre Jr.

Rhys Browne

Josh Casey

Scott Cuthbert

Max Dyche

Curtis Edwards

Reece Grego-Cox

Sam Habergham

Rohan Ince

Will Jaaskelainen

Jim Kellermann

Dion Kelly-Evans

Charley Kendall

Ricky Korboa

Dennon Lewis

Jayden Luker

Dan Moss

Timi Odusina

Paul Osew

Manny Oyeleke

Josh Smith Lewis Walker

Luke

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

UPCOMING AWAY COACH TRAVEL

The Cards Trust would like to run coaches to all matches in 2024. Unfortunately increased costs mean that we are unable to run coaches to Altrincham.

Remember, members and Junior Cards save money on bookings with their membership.

SUPPORTERS COACHES

Please note there is no coach for Altrincham

ROCHDALE - TUESDAY 12th MARCH

49 Seater Executive Coach with onboard Toilet. The Supporters Coach leaves Woking FC at 14:00 and costs:

Trust Members - Adult £42, U16's & Junior Cards £37

Non Members - Adult £47, U16's £42

Outward Only - £25

Return Only - £25

To book please CLICK HERE

If you have any questions then please drop me an email at: adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk

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.

Thank-you to everyone who supports BTB either by way if monthly contributions or one off donations.

You can take part online https://www.cardstrust.co.uk/boost-the-budget-2/ 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 draww 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.

RACE NIGHT

The Trust is repeating its very popular RACE NIGHT on Saturday 16th after the Barnet game in the Cardinals' Bar. Admission is £1.00 in advance and tickets and race and runner sponsorships can be booked on the Cards Trust website.

GOLDRUSH

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

MATcHDAy MAScoTS

Jax Woodley, Antonio Schiavo (6th birthday)

Zac Pavli, Abel Trafford & Raef Wanstall

SURREY ~ SUSSEX ~ HAMPSHIRE

Portable Toilet Unit Hire for all Construction Sectors

Principal Contractors ~ General Builders ~ Roofers ~ Landscapers ~ Plumbers ~ Joinery & Carpenters ~ Homeowners

TO YOU LOOS LIMITED provide site toilets with the following :-

 Flushing chemical portable toilets (no mains required) with sinks or sanitiser units

 Toilets are emptied and cleaned by ourselves weekly as standard, inclusive of chemicals and consumables, with additional services available on request

Portable Toilet Unit Hire for Public & Private Events

TO YOU LOOS LIMITED provide toilets for Fetes, Parties, Shows, Weddings, Horse Trials and all manner of Public and Private events with the following:-

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 Comprehensively prepared units before delivery and full set up on site in agreed location / locations, inclusive of consumables and chemicals

 Attendance / additional servicing during the event to keep units fresh and clean where requested

 Full Public Liability Insurance

Please note the toilet units must be located no more than 8m from where the truck can park in order to be serviced and each unit is circa 1.2m square (4’ x 4’) so please check the access route to where you wish the unit to be sited.

CARDS INTO CHAIRMAN'S CUP SEMI FINALS

WOKING FC WOMEN 4 3

Woking took another step closer to retaining their SRWFL Chairman’s Cup title thanks to a hard-fought victory at Sheerwater’s Eastwood Centre against tier-five side Winchester City Flyers. A late second-half strike, added to a dominant first 45 minutes, was enough for the squad of 11 to get over the line and into the Semi-Final.

The Cards got off to a flyer in the first five minutes when Bianca Underhill’s corner from the left-hand side was headed into the back of the net by a visiting player, and then two minutes after that, it was two. This time, a piece of incredible skill by Gaby Hobday allowed her to find Charlotte Keenan at the back post who played the ball

WINCHESTER CITY FLYERS

back to Trudy Bryan-Kerr to tap home from close range. This was Trudy’s 11th goal of the season and her 9th in cup competitions.

Winchester’s first chance came when an audacious attempt from the halfway line was just pushed away from danger by Amy Jenkins in goal. The resulting corner was also cleared.

Within 20 minutes of the game, the hosts had taken the South Coast team to the cleaners and made it three to the good. This time Helen Ogle made a super run on the left and found a cross into the box which deflected into the path of Sheena Nichol and was fired home into the roof of the net. The number 8 who turns 26 on Tuesday continued

where she left off on this pitch, with another great strike on the edge of the box.

Gaby had been running rings out on the lefthand side all game and had an opportunity to grab a fourth but forced a great diving save from the goalkeeper.

Winchester came close on a handful of occasions and was denied by Amy but had an even greater chance that should have been converted, but instead, was smashed against the crossbar.

Just before half-time, Winchester’s number 10 was booked for dissent towards the referee.

HT: Woking 3-0 Winchester City Flyers

In the second half, the visitors had the luxury of making roll-on-roll-off substitutions and it caught the home side out. They pulled a goal back in the early stages of the second half after a misstimed pass from Amy at the back.

Bianca nearly added to her goal tally straight from kick-off when her cross-shot from the right agonisingly hit the bar before being booted away.

The visitors were applying plenty of pressure and had got a second goal in the 70th minute with a loose ball being punished. The starting XI were on course for 180 minutes in the space of a week without any substitutions available and it started to show towards the end of the game. However, the players dug deep and showed their commitment to the badge when they found a fourth five minutes later. Sheena played an excellent pass in behind the defence which Gaby tucked away first time to restore a twogoal advantage.

Winchester did grab a third right at the death but ultimately it was the Cards who marched on into the last four of the competition.

FT: Woking 4-3 Winchester City Flyers

A spectacular performance with the circumstances surrounding the team starts the month of March with a great win against a team in the division above. Whilst promotion is off the table this season, the team will be looking to finish inside the top three with two league games left and of course, this Semi-final that is soon to come.

Starting XI: Jenkins, Mitchell, Cotter ©, Burgess, Underhill, Theocharous, Nichol, Ogle, Hobday, Bryan-Kerr, Keenan

Attendance: 27

Players of the Match: Efrosyni Theocharous & Gaby Hobday

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

U23S RUN CONTINUES

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Week commencing 4th March 2024

WEDNESDAY 6th MARCH

11:00 – Eastleigh U17 v Woking U17

National League Alliance – Division E, Ganger Farm Sports Ground, Jermyns Lane, Romsey

14:00 – Southend United U19 v Woking U19, National League Alliance – Academy South Len Salmon Stadium, Bowers & Pitsea FC, Crown Avenue, Pitsea

THURSDAY 7th MARCH

19:30 – Woking U23 v Hartley Wintney U23 Suburban Football League, Knaphill FC, Redding Way

SATURDAY 9th MARCH

11:30 – In House Game (1st Year only - U17) Woking College, Rydens Way

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

MATCH REPORTS

Week commencing 26th February

WEDNESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY

Woking U19 4 - 1 Aldershot Town U19

National League Alliance, Academy South Westfield FC, Woking Park

With two games in three days this week, a number of changes were made from last week’s 1 – 1 draw at Bromley. Jack Matton coming in at centre-back, with Ethan Gold moving to left-back and Jayden Wynter dropping out, Jamie Hilton coming in for Harry Newbould, Ben Mitchell for Keion Vassell and Tom Dryer for Aiden Payne-James.

Woking started well, and Dryer had already hit the post when Matton put Woking ahead in the sixth minute. Ryan Scott’s corner volleyed in from twelve yards at the far post, a well controlled side-foot.

Lewis Mouland’s mishit clearance called Matton to the rescue, and Aldershot had a number of corners, but there did not appear to be any real danger until Aldershot equalised on 23 minutes. A long-ball was flicked on smartly by Toby Nelson, and Marc Nouble found the top corner with a fine drive from just inside the area.

Both sides had chances before Woking made it 2 – 1 on the cusp of half-time. The danger for Aldershot started with a free-kick won by Mitchell, and when the ball came to Scott inside the penalty area his pass found Lui Edwards who side-footed home from six yards.

Half-time: Woking 2 – 1 Aldershot Town

As it was towards the end of the first-half, there were chances for both sides before Woking made it 3 – 1 after 53 minutes. Tom Dryer picking up the long-ball clearance from an Aldershot corner midway inside the Aldershot half, and running with the ball as opponents missed their challenges, before finishing from six yards with a neat dink angled inside the far post.

Within 61 minutes Woking had clinched the result, Mitchell’s penetrating run to the byline and subsequent pull-back setting up Edwards to finish emphatically from six yards. Woking saw out the rest of the game soundly, with little cause for alarm, and Scott and Edwards could have added more gloss to the scoreline with more accurate finishing.

As is always the case, it was good to win well against our friends from across the border, and the U19s continued their recent good run with each player making a solid contribution to a fine team performance, moving within one point of Aldershot in the league table.

Woking: Lewis Mouland; Ryan Scott, Tom Gardner, Jack Matton, Ethan Gold ©; Alex Rihoy, Ollie Mason (Charlie Robertson 83), Jamie Hilton (Harry Newbould 72); Ben Mitchell, Lui Edwards, Tom Dryer (Lewis Myrtollari 78). Unused subs: Harry White (GK), Aiden Payne-James.

Goals: Matton 5, Edwards 45 + 1, 61, Dryer 53.

Aldershot: Oliver Kabeer; Lucas Turner, Morgan Elliott, Kaden Hughes (Krystian Komosinski 56), Eddie Cooper, Reece Mather © (Lewis Hillary 72), Maddox McMillan (Stanley Broadway 72), Wilf Douglas (Naman Gurung 56); Marc Nouble (Milo Derham 56), Danny-James Carter, Toby Nelson.

Goal: Nouble 23.

THURSDAY 29TH FEBRUARY

Woking U18 P - P Beaconsfield Town U18 Isthmian Football League – Youth West D ivision; Waterlogged pitch at Knaphill FC, Redding Way

FRIDAY 1ST MARCH

11:30 – Woking U19 2 – 0 Bromley U19 National League Alliance – Academy South Woking College, Rydens Way

Having played two days earlier, a number of changes freshened things up. Aidy Silverstein came in at left-sided centre-back for Jack Matton, Charlie Robertson started at left full-back for Ethan Gold, (picking up from where he had left off as a substitute on Wednesday), Harry Newbould played a slightly unfamiliar left-midfield role, with Tom Dryer moving to the right, and Ben Mitchell, due to play for Guildford City in Jersey on Saturday, moved to the bench.

This game came just a week after the sides had drawn 1 – 1 at Bromley, and with Woking starting one point behind Bromley in the league table, promised to be another close match, with Woking’s side different enough from the first game to give Bromley a different set of challenges.

Perhaps understandably, Woking started slowly, also disrupted by a ten-minute delay to kick-off caused by the non-arrival of a referee’s assistant, with Louie Sullivan stepping in and doing a very good job. Bromley were creating chances, with Woking making uncharacteristic mistakes. Woking came in to the game more from the 20 minute point, and were creating chances, although Bromley also came close on 29 minutes, with Dawid Przybylo hitting the outside of the post.

Woking took the lead on 32 minutes. A fine passing move and excellent wing play from Dryer finished with a pull-back across the six-yard box, where Robertson arrived to rocket the ball home. Yassim Wacher, the full-back Dryer had beaten in creating the goal was ultimately forced to leave the field of

play with what looked like an injury connected to a displaced contact lens.

Half-chances were created at both ends, before the talking points during the time added on for Wacher’s treatment. Firstly, a Bromley long ball put in Emmanuel Deh, and he knocked the ball past Lewis Mouland before the players collided, but there was not enough in the challenge for a penalty and the ball was easily cleared by the covering defender.

Half-time: Woking 1 – 0 Bromley

Although Stanley Kyle forced Harry Haines in to a double save, when he should perhaps have scored, it was Bromley who looked the more likely to score as the second-half progressed. Regan Clarke-Salter headed wide when he would have expected to do better.

The introduction of Lui Edwards and Aiden PayneJames on 69 minutes re-enlivened Woking, and one particularly inspired turn and through ball from Payne-James nearly put Alex Rihoy in on goal.

Woking’s decisive second came on 84 minutes from a fine corner-kick routine. Ryan Scott’s cross headed back across goal by Jack Matton (on as a substitute in midfield rather than his usual centre-back role), and volleyed home from six yards by Ben Mitchell.

Woking were able to see out the game, although Deh missed another chance to make it a nervous closing period. Whilst Mitchell could have had a second with a more cleanly struck finish.

A great week for the under 19s, with Woking now going above Bromley and Aldershot Town in the table, which looks much more presentable than it did before the Cards recent run of three draws and four wins.

Woking: Lewis Mouland; Ryan Scott ©, Tom Gardner, Aidy Silverstein, Charlie Robertson; Ollie Mason; Tom Dryer (Ben Mitchell 74), Alex Rihoy, Jamie Hilton (Jack Matton 79), Harry Newbould (Aiden Payne-James 69); Stanley Kyle (Lui Edwards 69). Unused sub: Harry White (GK).

Goals: Robertson 32, Mitchell 84.

Bromley: Harry Haines, Malik Shittu, Louis Le Bars (Marley Bell 84), Regan Clarke-Salter, Yassim Wacher (Yuvi Mann 36); Joe Aris ©, Alfie Hilden (Temu Appiah 84); Kaya Hansson, Will Coates, Dawid Przybylo (Eddie Fitzgerald 74); Emmanuel Deh.

LOAN (DUAL REGISTERED PLAYERS) WATCH:

Saturday 2nd March.

Owen Crawford, Goalkeeper, 3rd year –Camberley Town: No fixture.

Jack Matton, Centre Back, 2nd year – Binfield: No fixture.

Ollie Mason, Centre Midfield, 2nd year – Ascot

United: Unused sub for 2 – 0 win over South Park.

Lui Edwards, Forward, 3rd year – Sandhurst

Town: Scored in the 6 – 2 defeat at Epsom & Ewell.

Harry White, Goalkeeper, 1st year – Sandhurst

Town: A hard day for Harry in the 6 – 2 defeat at Epsom & Ewell.

Aiden Payne-James. Forward, 2nd year –Sevenoaks Town: Came on as 88th minute substitute in 1 – 0 defeat to Broadbridge Heath. (The goal a disputed 92nd minute penalty.)

Jamie Hilton, Centre Midfield, 3rd yearGuildford City: Was not in the matchday sixteen at Jersey Bulls.

Ben Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year - Guildford City: Started the 2 - 0 defeat at Jersey Bulls.

Keiondre Ellis-Vassell, Forward, 2nd year – Guildford City: Came on as 87th minute substitute in the 2 – 0 defeat at Jersey Bulls.

Bob Honey, Goalkeeper, 1st year – Spelthorne Sports: No fixture.

MANAGER: MICHAEL DOYLE

WOKING FC KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS FC MANAGER: PHIL BROWN

SPONSORED BY SEYMOURS

ALEXIS ANDRÉ JR. DAN MOSS

JOSH

LUKE WILKINSON

DENNON

CALEB RICHARDS

NATHANIEL KNIGHT-PERCIVAL

KRYSTIAN PEARCE

REISS MCNALLY

TODD MILLER

AMARI MORGAN-SMITH

ASHLEY HEMMINGS

JACK LAMBERT

CHRISTIAN OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN

ZAK BROWN

MATT PRESTON

KAI LISSIMORE

SAM BELLIS

SAMMY ROBINSON

CHRISTIAN

COLE KPEKAWA

SHANE BYRNE

REGAN

OWEN HESKETH

GOLD OMOTAYO

JAY