Woking produced a ruthless attacking display to defeat Southampton U21 4-1 at the Laithwaite Community Stadium in the ENL Cup on 9 September 2026.

Woking seized control of the contest early and never let go, powering to a convincing victory that highlighted both their attacking quality and their ability to shine in cup competition. The young Southampton side battled hard and enjoyed flashes of promise, but they were outplayed by a Woking team that showed real hunger in front of goal.

Woking take early lead

Woking opened the scoring inside the opening 15 minutes, when a well-worked move down the left ended with a crisp finish into the bottom corner. The early goal settled any nerves, allowing the hosts to dictate the tempo and dominate possession throughout the first half.

Southampton U21 responded with a period of sustained pressure and equalised before half-time, briefly silencing the home crowd with a composed finish after a slick passing sequence. However, Woking’s reply was instant and emphatic, as they regained the lead just minutes later with a powerful header from close range.

Second-half masterclass

The second half turned into a showcase for Woking’s attacking confidence. A stunning strike from outside the area in the 58th minute found the top corner, stretching the lead to 3-1 and effectively wrapping up the tie. Woking capped off the performance with a fourth goal in the closing stages, finishing a quick counter-attack with calm precision.

For Southampton U21, this was a learning experience against experienced non-league opposition, while Woking will take real momentum from such an emphatic cup victory.