Greetings, and welcome back to the Laithwaite Community Stadium as we host Braintree on match day 39.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR MATCH SPONSOR
I am delighted to welcome our very own Cards Trust as todays match sponsor. As I hope many of you are already aware, the Cards Trust is a volunteer ran society that support the club in an untold number of ways. To learn more about the Cards Trust, please click here
CHANGES TO CLUBS MATCHDAY CATERING OPERATION
As per my last notes, we welcomed Peaks Catering to the club on Tuesday night – Thomas
and the team will be overseeing the bar and food operation for the club until the end of the season. We welcome any and all feedback, so please drop me an email to share your thoughts.
WFC VS. ALDERSHOT TICKETS - VNL
With only 23% of available tickets left for our Easter Monday VNL fixture against Aldershot Town, we are encouraging all fans to purchase their tickets online as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
WOKING FC FAMILY FUN DAY
It’s back for it’s 4th year! Tickets for our End of Season Family Fun Day went on sale a few weeks ago, and will take place on Sunday 4th May –tickets are available online now, with Adults just £8 and kids for free (max. two per adult).
I am keen to hear from fans with any feedback (good or bad!), ideas or inspirations – drop me a note at simon.jones@wokingfc.co.uk
Kind regards,
Simon Jones Business Development Director
NE Al ArDLEY
2024/25 SE ASoN TiCKETS
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 Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s charity.
We award grants and work with partners to deliver outstanding grassroots football facilities across England.
Search Football Foundation to find out more.
AHEAD of THE GAmE
Woking’s second of three consecutive home games sees them host Braintree Town at the Laithwaite.
With Thursday’s player registration deadline having been and gone, Neal Ardley and Director of Football Jody Brown have been busy, bringing in Josh Osude and Charlie Sayers. They will add to a squad which is seeing players return from injury after Timi Odusina and Tariq Hinds returned to the bench on Tuesday night, with Matt Ward and Aiden O’Brien on the road to recovery.
With teams below them playing each other, a win for the Cards would be huge as the relegation battle continues to play out.
OPPOSITION WATCH
Steve Pitt took the reins at Braintree in December following the departure of Angelo Harrop, and has accumulated 28 points from 18 games to almost secure safety in the Iron’s first season after promotion. Recent wins at Gateshead and at home to York City have seen this exciting Braintree team pull away from trouble. Currently sitting on 48 points, the Iron have failed to score just once
Woking vs Braintree Town
Vanarama National League
Saturday 29th March 2025
15:00 Kick-Off
since New Years’ Day, with their reputation as early season strugglers firmly behind them. One player who won’t be available is of course Matt Robinson, still contracted to Woking but having made 43 appearances in total this season.
National League rookie Kyrell Lisbie has 14 goals for the season, and the Iron reportedly managed to fight off EFL interest in January to ensure he will finish the season in Essex. He has recently been joined by his brother, Colchester loanee Kyreece Lisbie, who scored at Gateshead and has contributed to a fantastic run of form.
AROUND THE GROUND
Ticket information is available here
LAST TIME OUT
These sides cancelled each other out back in September at Cressing Road with a 0-0 draw, in what was their first meeting since 2017.
In 2016/17, Braintree benefitted from some bizarre officiating to claim a 3-2 win at the Laithwaite, with the Cards helping send the Iron down and keep themselves afloat by winning 3-1 in Essex.
TICKET INFORMATION
ONLINE & ADVANCE SALES VS. [MATCHDAY SALES]
Adults – £21 [£24]
Concessions – £16 [£19]
Next-Gen (17-22) – £13 [£16]
Under 17 (14-16) – £9 [£12]
Under 14 (13 & under) – £5
Family ticket* - £47.50 [online exclusively]
*Family ticket discount will be applied when two (2) adult tickets & two (2) under 14 tickets are selected and added to the basket for any home league match.
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.
Moaners Corner Café is located next Moaners Corners Stand, with hot and cold drinks, plus snacks available.
The Seymours Community Stand has hot food options and a last lane for beverages.
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, 09:0017:00, or matchdays, 09:00 - half-time.
OTHER INFORMATION
Away supporter information can be found here. Directions to the ground are available here. Disabled access information is available here
So C IA l
@wokingfc
@wokingfc
The hard work continues. Woking Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of Charlie Sayers.
Osude.
SUNDAY 4TH MAY
Woking
END OF SEASON - FAMILY FUN DAY
END OF SEASON FAMILY DAY RETURNS TO THE LAITHWAITE COMMUNITY STADIUM
SUNDAY 4th MAY - 10am-6pm
28. Ollie Webber
22. Will Jääskeläinen
3. Jacob Jones
2. Dan Moss
7. Harry Beautyman 8. Dale Gorman
5. Timi Odusina
6. Jamie Andrews 21. Ben Wynter 27. Dion Kelly-Evans
11. Dennon Lewis 16. Tunji Akinola
15. Adam Chicksen
4. Chinwike Okoli Sponsor available Sponsor available Sponsor available Sponsor available
19. Jokubas Mazionis
14. Tariq Hinds
30. Frank Vincent
12. Inih Effiong
24. Rohan Ince
31. Aiden O'Brien 39. Leo Christophers
17. Matt Ward
10. Lewis Walker
23. Jermaine Anderson
John Keeley
Dan Rowe
Malcolm Jobling
Oli Young
Dave Morriss
35. Charlie Sayers 29. Sha'mar Lawson
20. Sam Ashford
18. Joshua Osude Neal Ardley
Simon Bassey
Craig Mackail-Smith
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
SUPPORTERS COACHES
Supporters Coaches are subject to having enough bookings to run. The following trips are now on sale:
ALDERSHOT TOWN
For more information, email adam.bowyer@cardstrust.co.uk
JUNIOR CARDS
Membership is open for season 2024/25 and still only £10!
Please join up or renew CLICK HERE
400 CLUB
February draw
£100 Number 249 George Burnett
£75 Number 392 David Morris
£50 Number 88 Brian Avery
Congratulations to the winners!
The 400 club units are just £12 each per year.
To learn more and take part please contact john.hooker@cardstrust.co.uk
THE CARDS TRUST LAUNCHES A FAN WALL NEW fAN WAll
If you're coming to the Laithwaite this afternoon then you'll notice a striking new Fan Wall on the outside wall of the Legends Bar.
The wall offers personalised plaques to purchase that enable you to celebrate your favourite player, record your first match, or of course remember a loved one - it is very fitting that Andy Turner has pride of place on the top left plaque. Developed by the Supporters Liaison Group within The Cards Trust, this fundraising initiative will be used by the trust to fund improvements to the spectator experience at the ground, as well as contributing to Boost The Budget and other initiatives to support Woking FC.
You can find out more about how to get your own plaque by clicking here (simple login-free access) or by speaking to any Cards Trust official at the game today. Anyone can purchase a plaque, you don't need to be a member of The Cards Trust, but please consider joining to actively support your club.
This is also a great way for anyone who cannot get to The Laithwaite Community Stadium themselves to show their ongoing support for the club.
Thanks to the generous support of The Platinum Table new plaques for Geoff Chapple, Barry Kimber and Colin Lippiatt have been placed at the heart of our Fan Wall.
The Supporters’ Liaison Group is designed to a ct as the bridge between all Woking FC fans and Woking Football Club by:
Providing communication channels for ALL supporters (whether or not members of the Cardinals Supporters’ Society Ltd/Trust) to give constructive comments about issues relating to fan experience for the attention of senior staff and owners of the Football Club.
Convening regular liaison meetings directly with senior staff and owners of the Football Club to facilitate dialogue and ensure ALL fans have a
OUR SUPPORTERS LIAISON GROUP IS LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
voice on key matters affecting them (in addition to the existing route via the Cardinal Supporters’ Society Ltd/Trust representative on the Football Club Board).
Encouraging fan consultation on issues affecting supporters.
We were delighted to recently welcome new members to the SLG and a very positive Zoom meeting was held with the clubs majority shareholder. Our first meeting is 20th March at The Laithwaite Community Stadium.
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A team you can count on
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mATCHDAY & BAll SPoNSorSHIP
Booking as part of a business, or simply looking to celebrate in added style? Why not take out a match or ball sponsorship?
You’ll receive all the incredible VIP Hospitality benefits, plus: Match Sponsorship - £1,150.00 + VAT
• Signed home shirt
• Half-page programme promotion
• PA promotion
• Social media and website promotion
• Access to our “Partner Perks” for the 24/25 season
• Full matchday hospitality for a table of ten (add additional guests for only £50 per person)
• Choose player of the match – read out on PA
• Executive VIP parking
Match Ball Sponsorship - £650.00 + VAT
• Signed match ball
• Half-page programme promotion
• PA promotion
• Social media and website promotion
• Access to our “Partner Perks” for the 24/25 season
• Full matchday hospitality experience for a table of six (add additional guests for only £50 per person)
Pl AYEr SPoNSorSHIP
The club are delighted to announce the Player Sponsorship package for the 24/25 season.
The club have reviewed the price and enhanced the offer to make supporting your favourite 1st team management or player more accessible and rewarding.
From the 24/25 season, player and management sponsors will receive:
• Signed match worn home and away jerseys near the start of the season presented at our Player & Management Sponsors dinner.
• Dedicated video shout-out from the player on signing and/ or on your birthday/special event (or a significant others).
• 2 x hospitality tickets during the season and the opportunity to meet your sponsored player after/before the game.
• Option to attend manager/player meet and greet throughout the season.
• Pre-game scoreboard reel with players and your name/ logo next to them.
Price for 24/25 player sponsorship is £900 + VAT. To sponsor a player, please email Simon, the club's Business Development Director, on simon.jones@wokingfc.co.uk.
HoSPiTAliTY PACKAGES 24/25
Woking Football Club is pleased to confirm its matchday hospitality prices for 2024/25.
Enjoy VIP matchday hospitality for only £65 per person at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.
You will be able to book in advance for all 24/25 fixtures online once the list has been released.
What’s included?
• Three-course meal* prepared by our in-house chef team using locally sourced ingredients supplied by Simmons Family Butchers and Boz’s Fruit & Veg.
• Executive leather padded seats in the Seymours Community Stand.
• Dedicated lounge emcee.
• Exclusive bar and drinks options.
• Pre-match first-team management or player visit.
• Hear from the match sponsors’ player of the match after the game.
Existing 2024/25 season ticket holders can enjoy a discount of £15pp for single-match hospitality. All payments for VIP matchday hospitality tickets shall be payable upon booking. Please note – cash is not accepted in the Geoff Chapple Lounge, and we will not accept cash payments on the day. Bookings are
only provisional until payment is made. All payments for hospitality season tickets shall be payable upon booking. If you have already purchased a 2024/25 season ticket**** and wish to upgrade to hospitality or platinum for the season, do so by calling the Club on 01483 772 470. Hospitality will be bookable online via the online ticketing platform or through the Club phone lines.
Other information
* Consisting of a main meal 1 hour before kick-off, a cold pudding at half-time and a cheeseboard for the table to share post-game. The main meal will either be a meat or vegetarian option (1 option of each) and will be sent out via email one week before the match. If you’d like to request an advance menu, please email tickets@wokingfc. co.uk. Please do not email menu choices in advance, as you will choose on the day. Please only email evie.carey@wokingfc.co.uk with allergen or dietary requirements.
** Under 14’s hospitality will enjoy all the benefits of a VIP Hospitality ticket; however, their main meal options are: Cheeseburger & Chips, Hotdog & Chips, Vegan Hotdog & Chips
*** The platinum package includes all the VIP perks, plus five drink vouchers to use per matchday at the Geoff Chapple Lounge bar, which may be redeemed for draught beer pints, 187ml wine by the glass, single spirits with mixers or soft drinks. Please note that platinum packages are only available for hospitality season ticket holders.
AUGUST
Sat Aug 10 Altrincham
Sat Aug 17 Gateshead
Tue Aug 20 Dagenham & Redbridge
Sat Aug 24 Ebbsfleet United
Mon Aug 26 Hartlepool United
Sat Aug 31 Rochdale
SEPTEMBER
Sat Sep 7 Braintree Town
Tue Sep 10 Wealdstone
Sat Sep 14 Oldham Athletic
Sat Sep 21 AFC Fylde
Tue Sep 24 Eastleigh
Sat Sep 28 Sutton United
OCTOBER
Sat Oct 5 York City
Sat Oct 12 Slough Town (FA Cup)
Sat Oct 19 Tamworth
Tue Oct 22 Solihull Moors
Sat Oct 26 Forest Green Rovers
NOVEMBER
Sat Nov 2 Cambridge United (FA Cup)
Sat Nov 9 FC Halifax Town
Sat Nov 16 Boston United
Sat Nov 23 Barnet
Tue Nov 26 Southend United
Sat Nov 30 Yeovil Town
DECEMBER
Tue Dec 10 Havant & Waterlooville
Sat Dec 14 Gateshead
Sat Dec 21 Altrincham
Thu Dec 26 Aldershot Town
JANUARY
Wed Jan 1 Maidenhead United
Sat Jan 4 Radcliffe (FA Trophy)
Sat Jan 11 Yeovil Town
Sat Jan 18 Ebbsfleet United
Sat Jan 25 Hartlepool United
FEBRUARY
Sat Feb 1 Gainsborough Trinity (FA Trophy)
Sat Feb 8 York City
Tue Feb 11 Dagenham & Redbridge
Sat Feb 15 Tamworth
Wed Feb 19 Solihull Moors
Sat Feb 22 Forest Green Rovers
MARCH
Sat Mar 1 Oxford City (FA Trophy QF)
Tue Mar 4 Southend United
Sat Mar 8 Boston United
Sat Mar 15 Barnet
Sat Mar 22 Wealdstone
Tue Mar 25 FC Halifax Town
Sat Mar 29 Braintree Town
APRIL
Wed Apr 1 Rochdale
Sat Apr 5 Aldershot Town (FA Trophy SF)
Sat Apr 12 AFC Fylde
Fri Apr 18 Maidenhead United
Mon Apr 21 Aldershot Town
Sat Apr 26 Eastleigh
MAY
Mon May 5 Sutton United
JUNior CArDiNAl S
ANSWERS
INTEr ACTiVE QUiz
Welcome to our latest interactive quiz of the season, click here to test your knowledge...
mATCHDAY mASCoTS
mASCoTS PACK AGE
There are two options available
Package One: Full Experience £120* (includes match shirt)
*Current season ticket holders receive a 10% discount (£108 total cost)
• 2024/25 match shirt
• Pre-match stadium tour
• Complimentary match day tickets for 1 adult and 1 child.
• Meet & Greet with photo opportunities with players
• Food & drink voucher.
• Kickabout pitch side as the players warm up.
• Digital programme feature
• Tannoy announcement
• Walk out with the players
• Picture with team captains and match officials
• A Woking FC representative present throughout
Package Two: Full Experience £80* (does not include match shirt)
*Current season ticket holders receive a 10% discount (£72 total cost) Includes all the above
A training top will be lent to the mascot to wear during the pitch-walk in the case that you do not have the current 24/25 match shirt.
Team Mascot Packages are available – please contact the club for more information.
Please note fixtures are subject to availability, If you have any further questions or special requests email simon.jones@wokingfc.co.uk
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 2024/25 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
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Week commencing 24th March 2025
WEDNESDAY 26TH MARCH
12:00 – Eastleigh Blues v Woking U17
National League Alliance – Division E Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA
14:00 – Woking U19 v Aldershot Town U19
National League Academy - South Division Westfield FC, Woking Park
For up-to-date information on fixtures please refer to the Woking Football Club Academy X (twitter) page.
Information is also available on the fulltime.thefa.com website.
The Academy website, where you can also find details of the Elite Development Squad launch, is wokingcitc.org
MATCH REPORTS & TEAM DETAILS
Week commencing 17th March 2025
TUESDAY 18TH MARCH
Hartley Wintney U21 2 - 1 Woking U21
Suburban League Cup Plate - Quarter-Final
Hartley Wintney Memorial Ground, Green Lane
With a National League South game to come the next day, this was an opportunity for those selected to start this game to show why they should be taking part in those National League South games.
Whilst Woking selected from their Academy squad, Hartley Wintney took the opportunity given by their being no age limit in the Suburban League to field some older players, and this would prove sufficient to tip the balance in their favour.
Woking conceded an all-too-familiar early goal, Jack Woodyer’s corner headed in from the near-post corner of the six-yard box by Harvey Chogugudza, his accurate aim into the bottom corner beating Aaron Zziwa, who would be justified if he asked if the marking could have been tighter.
Woking did have their share of the attacking play in the first half, coming closest when a turn and shot from the best part of 30 yards by Tommy Seale was tipped over the bar by Dylan Hawkins (who trains with the Woking squad whilst he attends Woking College).
Woking’s wide forwards, Harvey Brook and Louis Pask, were creating problems for the home side’s defence, but it was Hartley who would double their lead shortly before half-time. With
the final touch coming from a George Turner header, as he lay virtually on the goal-line and deflected home James Beauchamp’s shot, it was hard to see how he was onside, but the goal stood.
Half-time: Hartley Wintney 2 – 0 Woking
Woking changed to a back three for the secondhalf, looking to get James Orton and Louis Pask forwards more from wide positions. The impact was felt within two minutes, Orton setting up Brook for a shot on target.
On 51 minutes Woking had pulled a goal back, Tommy Seale won a free-kick just over twenty yards out, and Pask hit a fine drive across Hawkins in to the top corner, the ‘keeper getting a hand to it, but unable to keep it out.
Both sides were then to have chances, Beauchamp hitting the post for Hartley, before Woking hit the woodwork twice. Charlie Sweeney heading against the bar from a free-kick, and then Brook hitting the post, half way through the half, after being put in by a fine through ball from Stan Kyle.
Woking continued to press, making changes to personnel and positioning, in search of an equaliser to take the game to penalties. But Hartley were equal to the task, with substitute Adam Angus particularly fired up with some decisive interventions.
So, Hartley go through to play either Marlow or St Albans City in the semi-final, whilst Woking’s players will be looking forward to the opportunities to show their qualities in the rest of the South Division season.
Dartford U19 3 - 4 Woking U19 National League Academy - South Division Princes Park Stadium, Dartford
Fresh after a week off, another trip to Kent was on the cards for the u19s, who were looking to bounce back after a loss to Maidstone last time out.
Woking started the game well, with an early chance for Mitchell which saw him turn in the box and get a strong effort away, but the keeper was equal to it in the first real chance of the half.
The remainder of the opening 10 minutes was very end-to-end, and certainly a taste of the actionpacked first half that was about to unfold. In the 5th minute, Dartford went close to taking the lead through their first corner of the game. The delivery into the goalmouth was punched out by Honey, with a rebound that could have gone anywhere, but eventually, the threat was eliminated. In the 9th minute, Boxall troubled the home keeper with a first-time shot from close range, but it was kept out and the scoreline remained level.
In the 15th minute, the away side won a free kick just inside the Dartford half, which was eventually played across to Boyle on the far side, but his effort
fired over the bar. Straight back down the other end, Dartford went close with a strong effort in the penalty area, but Honey did well to get down to dive to his left and push the ball out and, despite plenty of attacking play from both sides, the search for the opener continued.
The search ended just minutes later, with a wellworked piece of play from the Cards, which ended with Lewis’ delivery being met by Boxall’s first-time volley into the back of the net from close range in the 19th minute.
With momentum, the Cards doubled that advantage just 2 minutes later. This time it was Smith who etched his name onto the scoresheet, with a great effort which squeezed in at the near post.
Dartford were able to bounce back quickly, however, and showed their threat once again in the 24th minute with a free-kick from just outside the box which floated just wide of the top righthand corner.
Just 4 minutes later, they reduced Woking’s lead to one, with an effort from outside the box which squeezed into the bottom corner.
The Cards looked to quickly restore their two-goal advantage and went close with a Boxall freekick in the 31st minute. The effort did well to clear the wall but floated just over the bar in a strong chance.
In the 34th minute, Dartford cancelled the early lead with a deep cross into the box from midway into the Woking half, which was headed in at the back post as the teams drew level once again.
This did not stop the Woking momentum, however, with Christophers the next to open up in front of goal. His 38th-minute shot was well-blocked by the Dartford defence, who threw their bodies in front of the effort but did not clear the threat entirely. In the same phase of play, Smith picked up the loose ball and did well to beat his man, but the effort flashed across goal and out of play.
Moments before half-time, Dartford took the lead for the first time in the fixture, with an effort across goal which hit the inside of the back post to cross the line 3 minutes into injury time, and left Woking with a big second-half task.
Reflecting on the first half, Academy Manager Matt Winter stated that: “Both teams attacked well and defended poorly”, in a quick turnaround for the home side.
Half-time: Dartford 3 – 2 Woking
Dartford started the second-half with several strong moves forward, firstly with a free kick which looped towards the back post, but the contact was not enough to trouble Honey, who caught and held the ball well in the 49th minute. In the 54th minute, Dartford passed through the midfield with pace and found an opening in the box, but once again it was easily collected by Honey.
The closest that Dartford came to a two-goal lead was in the 56th minute, with an effort which clipped the outside of the back post, with no one there to take the rebound shot.
It was Mitchell who put the Cards back on level terms, when he turned, broke into the box, and rifled one into the back of the net to wipe the late first-half goal from Dartford with just under half an hour of play remaining.
Pask nearly made an instant impact from the bench, with a first-time shot in the 67th minute. The effort from inside the penalty area, however, rose and hit the crossbar, with the follow-up effort being well met by the Dartford defence.
Nothing could keep out Boxall’s 70th-minute strike, however. His effort from range fell to the underside of the crossbar and rolled down the inside of the net in what was to be the strike that won the game.
The game itself, however, was far from over. Woking almost restored their two-goal lead when Christophers looked set to slot the ball into the
bottom right corner in the 72nd minute. The home ‘keeper, however, did excellently well to get down to the effort and keep it out of the net.
Gardner put the ball into the back of the net in the 81st minute with a perfect header from a free-kick, but the young Cards were forced to continue with just the one-goal advantage as the flag went up for offside.
In the closing stages, it was Dartford who looked the more likely to score and Honey who was the wall that denied them. In the 83rd minute, an excellent double save saw the first effort saved with his feet, before he got his body in the way of the second shot, which kept his side in front.
In the 90th minute, Honey was there again, this time with a dive to his right which saved a back post header, and took the sting out of the Dartford attack, which left the young Cards with all three points on the road.
Matt Winter reflected on the game, saying: “The first 20-25 minutes was excellent, we played really well, we defended properly [...] We created good chances, we took our goals well, and I think we maybe got overconfident with ourselves and when you do that in this league you get punished. We had some harsh words at half-time because, to concede three in the manner that we did - not just the manner of the goals but also being 2-0 up in a game away from home - was disappointing, frustrating, and we had those conversations but the second half, obviously, was much better.”
Sam Brittain, Midfield, 2nd year – Virginia Water: Played the full game in the 2 – 0 victory at British Airways in the Combined Counties League –Premier Division North (Step 5).
Saturday 22nd March
Sam Brittain, Midfield, 2nd year – Virginia Water: Played the first 82 minutes of the 3 – 2 defeat at Egham Town in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division North (Step 5). Sam scored the goal which put Virginia Water 1 – 0 ahead in the ninth minute.
Stanley Kyle, Forward, 2nd year – Camberley Town: Came on as a 79th minute substitute in the 1 – 3 defeat to Horley Town in the Combined Counties League - Premier Division South (Step 5).
Oliver Mason, Central Midfield, 3rd year – Ascot United: Came on as an 81st minute substitute in the 1 – 5 defeat to Farnham Town in the Isthmian League - South Central Division (Step 4).
Henry McDonald, Centre Midfield, 3rd year –Camberley Town: Played the first 89 minutes of the 1 – 3 defeat to Horley Town in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Byron Mitchell, Forward, 2nd year – Sheerwater: Came on as a 75th minute substitute in the 2 – 1 victory over Tooting and Mitcham United in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
Louis Pask, Midfielder, 2nd year – Camberley Town: Came on as a 66th minute substitute in the 1 – 3 defeat to Horley Town in the Combined Counties League – Premier Division South (Step 5).
