Bowland FC Ds faced County FC Ds to Grass Pitch 4 on 19 October 2024 for their first game of the year in a friendly that saw the Red emerge victorious with a resounding 5-2 scoreline that on another could have been significantly more convincing for the Reds.
Bowland FC Ds lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which provided a solid defensive base while allowing for creativity and flair in attack. Reuben Confue took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Max Dudley on the right, Jed Delaney and Jacob Austin as central defenders, and Charlie Fersch on the left. In midfield, Benn Cellamare and Jake Hodgson operated as central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo, linking play and providing the energy. Ahead of them, Callum Appleby and David Vaughan occupied the right and left attacking midfield roles respectively, while Harry Standen played centrally, supporting lone striker Henry Pollard.
The substitutes for Bowland FC Ds included Stan Clough, Jacob Walker, Sean Douglas, Tom Cantrell, Thomas Ashworth, Liu Junjia, Joe Dempsey, Sam Bond, Brian Zhang, and Santi Gardner.
The match began with Bowland FC Ds asserting their dominance early on. In the 17th minute, Henry Pollard opened the scoring with a well-placed shot inside the box, assisted by Harry Standen. Pollard doubled his tally just 12 minutes later, finding the net again, this time with an assist from Jacob Austin, putting Bowland FC Ds firmly in control at 2-0.
However, County FC Ds responded with a stunning goal of their own in the 40th minute, a screamer that brought the score to 2-1 just before half-time. The first half concluded with Bowland FC Ds leading, but the visitors had given themselves a glimmer of hope.
The second half saw immediate changes for Bowland FC Ds, with four substitutions made at the start of the half. Tom Cantrell replaced Jacob Austin, Thomas Ashworth came on for Benn Cellamare, Liu Junjia took over from Henry Pollard, and Sean Douglas entered the fray in place of Jed Delaney. Joe Dempsey also replaced Charlie Fersch shortly after.
In the 55th minute, Jake Hodgson extended Bowland's lead, scoring inside the box to make it 3-1. County FC Ds, however, were not to be outdone and struck back with another impressive goal in the 60th minute, reducing the deficit to 3-2.
Bowland FC Ds responded swiftly, with Sam Bond coming on for Max Dudley just after the visitors' goal. In the 63rd minute, Thomas Ashworth scored, assisted by Jacob Walker, restoring a two-goal cushion at 4-2.
As the match progressed, Bowland FC Ds continued to apply pressure, and in the 75th minute, Jake Hodgson found the net again, sealing the victory with a fifth goal for the home side.
The match concluded with Bowland FC Ds celebrating a comprehensive 5-2 victory over County FC Ds, showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience throughout the encounter. Jake Hodgson's standout performance, highlighted by his two goals, earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, further emphasising the home side's dominance on the day.
