In a commanding display of football, Billing United U11 triumphed over Drayton Grange U11 Blades with a resounding scoreline of 8-1 in their cup match held at Great Billing Pocket Park on 25 January 2025. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, showcasing the young talents of both teams in a thrilling encounter.
Billing United lined up in a 3-2-3 formation, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Jackson Pearce took his position as the goalkeeper, while Gerrard Afum Tutu, Damaree Alexander, and Oscar Nawrocki formed a robust back three. In midfield, Logan Lynch and Jermel Williams operated centrally, tasked with both breaking up opposition play and supporting the forwards. Up front, Justin Juszynski and Leighton Fletcher occupied the right and left forward positions respectively, with Oscar Luck leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for Billing United included Cohen Adams, Layton Dewar, and Max Soltanici, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The scoring opened early when Oscar Luck converted a penalty in the fourth minute, giving Billing United a swift lead. This early advantage set the tone for the match, as they continued to press the Drayton Grange defence.
Jermel Williams doubled the lead in the 18th minute, showcasing his skill and determination. Shortly after, Billing United made two substitutions, bringing on Cohen Adams for Logan Lynch and Layton Dewar for Leighton Fletcher, both of whom had contributed well in the opening exchanges.
Oscar Luck struck again in the 21st minute, netting his second penalty of the match, further extending Billing United's lead. The relentless pressure from Billing United was evident, and Jermel Williams added to the tally in the 25th minute, assisted by Layton Dewar, who had just entered the fray.
As the first half drew to a close, Billing United held a commanding 4-0 lead, leaving Drayton Grange with much to ponder during the break.
The second half commenced with Billing United continuing their dominance. Max Soltanici replaced Gerrard Afum Tutu in the 36th minute, adding fresh legs to the defence. Oscar Luck completed his hat-trick in the 42nd minute, with Jermel Williams providing the assist, showcasing their excellent partnership.
Layton Dewar then got in on the act, scoring in the 45th minute with another assist from Jermel Williams, who was having a standout performance. However, Drayton Grange managed to find a consolation goal just two minutes later, scoring in the 47th minute to make it 6-1.
Billing United responded swiftly, with Oscar Luck scoring his fourth goal of the match in the 52nd minute, assisted by Justin Juszynski. Layton Dewar capped off the scoring for Billing United in the 53rd minute, with Logan Lynch providing the assist, bringing the final score to an emphatic 8-1.
Jermel Williams was rightly awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution, including assists and relentless midfield work. Billing United U11's performance was a testament to their teamwork and skill, leaving them in high spirits as they progressed in the cup competition.
