Woking Park
Woking
Surrey
GU22 9BA
Woking
Surrey
GU22 9BA
01483 771106
Ground Number: 428
Tuesday 28th October 2014
Westfield 1-2 Windsor
Combined Counties League Premier Division
WESTFIELD FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
Westfield FC was formed in 1953, initially known as Westfield Boys Club. The club played in the Woking and Surrey Leagues up until 1962, when they joined the Parthenon League, finishing as runners-up to Fisher Athletic in their debut season. They then had a fifteen-season spell in the Surrey Senior League, where they were champions in 1973 & 1974. In 1978, they became founder members of the Home Counties League, which was renamed the Combined Counties League the following year. They have never suffered relegation due to on-pitch matters since joining the league, though they were demoted in 2006 for ground grading issues. It took until 2013 to be promoted back after a 3rd-place finish in Division 1. They then lifted the Premier Division title in 2018. Since then, they have had two 5th-place finishes, in 2019 when they lost 201 to Bracknell Town in the playoff semis and in 2024 when they lost 3-2 to Marlow at the same stage. This season has seen the club achieve their best ever finish as runners-up to Leatherhead. They've beaten AFC Portchester on penalties in the semis, following a 1-1 draw.
In the FA Cup, they had their best season this season, beating Rusthall, Leatherhead and Sheppey United to reach the 2nd Qualifying Round. After drawing 2-2 at home, they lost the replay 6-0. The FA Vase was just as elusive, but they did have a good run to the 4th round back in the 2000-01 season when they lost out to Arlesey Town, though they did beat Wantage Town, Sidley United, Lewes & Bowers United along the way. They had their best run in the FA Trophy in 2023, beating FC Romania, Littlehampton Town, Marlow & Leatherhead before losing 3-1 to Hungerford in the 1st Round. Local cup wins include two
Surrey Senior League Cups, the Combined Counties Football League Premier Cup in 2017, the Surrey County Junior Cup in 1955 and the Aldershot Senior Cup in 2024.
MY FIRST VISIT
After a bumper week of football last week, but no game on Friday as I was so busy catching up with things that had gone on whilst I was away, I was looking forward to getting to a game this Tuesday. I was hoping it would be with my regular groundhopping partner, Anwar. In the absence of anything really special, I looked for the closest game to me, at a ground I had not been to previously, of course. It turned out to be Westfield v Windsor in the Combined Counties League. I was pleased about this - the CCL being a league that I was over halfway to completing, and having been to a fair few Windsor games in the past when ex-Wycombe players Dennis Greene and Keith Scott were in charge. I had also been to a Westfield 'home' game before, but it was played at nearby Woking FC due to Westfield's very basic ground back then. In fact, I'm not even sure if they had the hard standing back then, as I went back to get more pictures a few years later, but since then, there had been massive improvements, so I was looking forward to going back and seeing what had happened to it. On the day of the game, it was quite busy for me. I had to start this blog, and I was also waiting in for my new phone to be delivered, as my parents were out. Later on in the day, after lunch, I had a couple of bits of casual work to do, and these took a couple of hours to complete. For the rest of the afternoon, I just caught up on a few bits, but as of dinner time, still no phone.
After a delicious home-cooked curry and getting my things together, I left at 5.45, allowing an extra hour for the ever-useless M25. At first, I was frustrated by cars doing way below the speed limit on the way to the motorway, then when I got to the M25, there was around 8 miles of crawling traffic thanks to some bozo stopping his van in the middle of the motorway, rather than pulling over to the hard shoulder like any sensible person would do. At first, the prognosis on my sat Nav looked grim, with me lucky to make kick off, what with all the delay. In the end, I got just outside the ground at just before 7.10. I tried to go in the entrance that my Sat Nav told me, but someone had put bollards at the end of the lane, and also some to stop you cutting across the pathway and getting in that way. In the end, I wasn't sure where the new entrance was, so I parked on the next side street and walked it. After walking to the ground I was met at the gate by a friendly man who charged me a very reasonable £6, including a programme. This is spot on in my mind, I reckon a fiver in for this step, plus the programme was well worth a quid, maybe £1.50. I caught up on my Facebook and got some pictures of the ground before going and watching the game from the balcony.
The first half was pretty decent without being spectacular. It was Windsor asking all the questions, with Westfield defending very deep and relying on catching Windsor on the break. They did soak up the pressure well, though, and the Westfield keeper was never really tested. Windsor took the lead around 10 minutes into the second half when sloppy defending allowed them to score from close range. But it was a lot more equal in terms of play, and the goal seemed to spur Westfield into action. They got their equaliser just after the hour, a great cross allowed Shane Cheeseman to loop a brilliant header over the keeper. From then on, it was the home side in the ascendancy, but it was Windsor who took the lead on 78 minutes. Robert Lazarczuk, who had played really well as a deep-lying playmaker, put a great ball through to split the Westfield defence, and it was put away in the scramble that followed to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. I thought he was the best player on the pitch, but straight away he was subbed off. Westfield tried to get back into it, but they were a bit hurried going forward, and a lack of composure meant their efforts came to nothing. After the game, I made my way home, leaving Woking at 9.30. The roads were nice and clear, and I was back at 10.10. I checked my Facebook and typed some more of this blog before watching TV in bed, going to sleep around midnight. Next up for me will be Southam v Cleethorpes Town in the FA Vase on Saturday.
MY SECOND VISIT
This game was mooted on Wednesday, but initially, I dismissed it as it was only a revisit. It was an opportunity to tick Woking Spoons, and for that reason, Colin was surprisingly keen. He persuaded me on the Saturday morning to go, and I fancied it. The ticket was one of the more pricey at step 4, £12 plus an 83p booking fee, as it was an all-ticket game with a capacity of 1,500. Various plans were drawn up for parking, with restrictions lifted at weekends. A halfway place was established to save pissing about, although time was tight. It was the usual unpleasant Sunday with families and children by the bucket load. Everyone was fine, but I hate it when it's rammed. I left at 1, and Colin was there waiting. It was a mixed journey, with around 15 minutes' delay in all. We were at our spot in Hill View Road, restriction-free on Sunday, and 15 minutes walk from Wetherspoons. The Herbert Wells was very good, named after the gentleman who wrote War Of The Worlds, better known for the Jeff Wayne musical. Service was impeccable. As they had Black Dragon, I decided to indulge for once on a Sunday. This, along with fish and chips, was £10.74. It was with us within ten minutes, piping hot and delicious. We were all done by 2.30 and made our way to the ground. It was a lovely walk, though we just happened upon the ground, which was well hidden. Everything was very efficient and friendly, given the big crowd. Very little had changed since my first visit, and it was still a well-appointed ground, if a little dull and lacking in colour. A bit of yellow and black on the big building would elevate it. Homemade cake at the tea bar was a big plus.
Westfield had finished 2nd and had won 26, drawn 6 and lost 10. To get this far, they had beaten AFC Portchester on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Hanworth Villa had finished 3rd and had won 25, drawn 5 and lost 12. To get this far, they had thumped Moneyfields 5-1 in the other semi. A notable name in the Hanworth lineup was former Wycombe keeper Tyla Dickinson. The ground was very busy for this game, rather obviously. So I took a place on the bank, unofficially open despite the notices saying otherwise. Hanworth had the better of the game early on. They were awarded a penalty on 15 minutes for handball, which was dispatched by George Wells to the delight of the visiting support stationed behind the goal. The visitors #2 hit the angle of the post and bar with a great shot in 22 minutes, but it was cleared. The hosts had a brief good spell, but were flat otherwise. They had Max Meaton sent off for bringing down the last man. After lots of pressure, Hanworth made it 2-0 on 65 minutes, Jack Timberlake following up a blocked shot. Westfield will be disappointed with their performance, I guess, as they finished 2nd but barely threatened. A good proportion of the 1,497 crowd came from the away side. It had been excellently hosted until the end, when the stewards insisted on keeping the tunnel closed, despite the players staying on the pitch for at least ten minutes for the presentation. As a result, a large number of people had to do an entire lap of the ground to get out. It was disappointing that common sense was not shown, but overall, it was a good day.
GROUND PICTURES 2005
I believe I got these pictures when a cup final was held at Woking in 2005, but I can't swear to it and may have obtained them from elsewhere. It is an accurate representation, however, a pleasant but basic ground which would not have impressed me at the time, but I love this sort of place now.
THE GROUND - 2014
WOKING PARK has been transformed into a smart and modern venue, which has not fallen into the trap of using the metal stands that you see at so many new builds these days. Pride of place goes to the main building which houses the dressing rooms and a smart modern bar, which has Sky TV and also houses the tea bar. I didn't see a club shop, but there were plenty of free programmes for you to take from the bar, and make. donation if you wish. From outside the bar, you could gain a great view from the balcony and get an elevated take on the action. Below is around 100 seats, with another 77 seats behind the goal. This stand got much publicity when the club tweeted about it, being picked up by various media outlets, and someone from the club was invited onto TalkSPORT radio to talk about it. The rest of the ground is open flat standing, with the far side being out of bounds to fans and housing the dugouts. I'm not sure what is around the ground, but I don't remember much around Woking's ground when I went, with the town about 20 minutes walk away.
WOKING PARK has been transformed into a smart and modern venue, which has not fallen into the trap of using the metal stands that you see at so many new builds these days. Pride of place goes to the main building which houses the dressing rooms and a smart modern bar, which has Sky TV and also houses the tea bar. I didn't see a club shop, but there were plenty of free programmes for you to take from the bar, and make. donation if you wish. From outside the bar, you could gain a great view from the balcony and get an elevated take on the action. Below is around 100 seats, with another 77 seats behind the goal. This stand got much publicity when the club tweeted about it, being picked up by various media outlets, and someone from the club was invited onto TalkSPORT radio to talk about it. The rest of the ground is open flat standing, with the far side being out of bounds to fans and housing the dugouts. I'm not sure what is around the ground, but I don't remember much around Woking's ground when I went, with the town about 20 minutes walk away.
GROUND PICS 2026
