Billing United faced off against Delapre Dragons U11 Ninjas in a league away match at the Briar Hill Playing Fields on 21st September 2024, with kick-off set for 10:30 am. The young Billing United side showcased their attacking prowess and tactical discipline, securing a convincing 9-2 victory against their opponents.
Billing United adopted a 2-3-2-1 formation for this encounter, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. In this setup, two central defenders, Max Soltanici and Damaree Alexander, anchored the back line, providing a robust foundation. In front of them, three midfielders—Gerrard Afum Tutu in the centre, flanked by Oscar Nawrocki on the right and Leighton Fletcher on the left—were tasked with both creating chances and supporting the defence. The attacking trio comprised a pair of wingers, Layton Dewar on the right and Justin Juszynski on the left, who were expected to provide width and speed, while Oscar Luck played as the lone striker, responsible for finishing the moves.
The substitutes for Billing United included Cohen Adams, Jermel Williams, and Logan Lynch, who would bring fresh legs to the match as needed.
The match kicked off energetically, and within the first minute, Billing United made their mark with a spectacular start as Justin Juszynski scored, assisted by Leighton Fletcher. Just moments later, Juszynski added a second goal, this time set up by Gerrard Afum Tutu, putting Billing United ahead 2-0 early on.
By the tenth minute, the onslaught continued as Oscar Nawrocki finished off a move initiated by Juszynski, making the score 3-0. The Dragons attempted to push back, but they were met with a formidable defence. Jackson Pearce, the Billing United goalkeeper, showcased his skills with a point-blank reaction save in the 17th minute, denying the Dragons their first real opportunity. Shortly after, Max Soltanici was substituted off for Cohen Adams as the team sought to manage their players effectively.
Pearce was called into action again just a minute later, making another crucial save to maintain the clean sheet. The match progressed into the 19th minute when Justin Juszynski was replaced by Jermel Williams, adding fresh dynamism to the attack.
As the teams reached half-time with Billing United leading 3-0, they appeared in complete control. The second half commenced, and within minutes of restarting, Oscar Nawrocki was replaced by Logan Lynch, indicating a tactical shift for the young side.
In the 37th minute, Jermel Williams netted a goal, assisted by Layton Dewar, pushing the score to 4-0. Delapre Dragons finally found the back of the net in the 43rd minute, but Billing United responded immediately, with Layton Dewar scoring just before the break, courtesy of an assist from Oscar Luck, extending the lead to 5-1.
Jermel Williams scored his second goal just a minute into the second half, making it 6-1. A strong defensive contribution from Gerrard Afum Tutu followed in the 47th minute, as he executed a crucial tackle to prevent a Dragons chance.
Layton Dewar then added to United's tally again in the 49th minute with another goal, assisted by Jermel Williams. Oscar Luck joined the score sheet in the 50th minute, thanks to an assist from Afum Tutu, making it 8-1.
Oscar Luck scored again in the 52nd minute, this time set up by Justin Juszynski, highlighting the attacking fluidity of Billing United. In the 55th minute, a substitution saw Justin Juszynski return to the fray, replacing Layton Dewar, as the team looked to maintain their momentum.
Oscar Nawrocki re-entered the game in the 56th minute, taking over from Damaree Alexander. The Dragons managed to score their second goal in the 58th minute, providing a brief glimmer of hope. However, Jackson Pearce responded with yet another impressive reaction save, further solidifying his position as the standout player of the match.
In the end, Billing United's dominant performance culminated in a resounding 9-2 victory, reflecting their attacking prowess and solidified their place in the league standings. Jackson Pearce was undoubtedly the player of the match, with his excellent goalkeeping proving vital in maintaining the team's commanding lead.
