In a gripping league clash at the Eversley Centre on 26 January 2025, Bowers & Pitsea U14 Whites and Rochford Town Sports Y U14 Reds played out an exhilarating 3-3 draw. The match, which kicked off at 2:30pm, showcased the determination and skill of both sides, leaving the 50-strong crowd on the edge of their seats.
Bowers & Pitsea adopted a 3-4-3 formation, with Rhys Hughes in goal, supported by a back three of Marcus Stanbury, Oliver Norton, and Sebastian Cenciu. The midfield was anchored by Cory Jennings and Luca Cepoi in central roles, flanked by Oliver Wakeling on the right and Logan Gardiner on the left. Up front, Mattie Bristow and Lewis Baber operated as right and left forwards respectively, with Benjamine Smith leading the line as the central striker. The formation aimed to provide width and attacking options while maintaining a solid defensive structure.
The substitutes for Bowers & Pitsea included Stanley Martin-Gardener, Marvellous Nbubueze, Jack McCullim, Harry Fairchild, Freddy Partner, and James Holgate, who would later play pivotal roles as the match unfolded.
The first significant moment came in the 16th minute when Marcus Stanbury made a crucial tackle, preventing a potential chance for Rochford. Moments later, Stanbury turned from defender to provider, playing a long pass that found Lewis Baber, who unleashed a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box to give Bowers & Pitsea the lead.
However, the early momentum was disrupted by a series of substitutions. Marvellous Nbubueze replaced Benjamine Smith in the 18th minute, followed by Jack McCullim coming on for Oliver Wakeling in the 25th minute. The match continued to ebb and flow until the 35th minute, when the referee signalled half-time where Bowers made more changes, Harry Fairchild came on for the injured McCullim.
The second half began with a bang as Marcus Stanbury doubled Bowers & Pitsea's advantage, scoring a long-range right-footed strike that left the Rochford goalkeeper with no chance. Yet, the tide turned quickly; a defensive mistake allowed Rochford to pull one back in the 52nd minute, followed by another error just two minutes later that levelled the score at 2-2.
Bowers & Pitsea were forced to make further changes due to injuries, with Freddy Partner coming on for Cory Jennings at the start of the second half. In the 55th minute, Cory Jennings returned to the pitch, replacing the injured Partner. The substitutions continued as James Holgate entered the fray for Marvellous Nbubueze in the 60th minute.
Rochford took the lead for the first time in the match in the 60th minute, scoring directly from a corner kick, leaving Bowers & Pitsea trailing 3-2. However, the home side responded with resilience. In the 64th minute, James Holgate, assisted by Lewis Baber’s precise cross, found the net from close range, bringing the score to 3-3.
As the match drew to a close, Bowers & Pitsea made their final substitutions, bringing Benjamine Smith back on for Mattie Bristow and Oliver Wakeling for Luca Cepoi, both in the 65th minute. The match ended with both teams sharing the spoils, a fitting conclusion to a thrilling encounter that showcased the spirit and talent of youth football.
