The Reaside Playing Fields witnessed an impressive display of attacking football on 16 November 2024, as Callowbrook Swifts U14s triumphed over ODW Lions with a resounding scoreline of 9-2. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, and the Swifts showcased their dominance throughout the friendly encounter, much to the delight of the 19 spectators in attendance.
The Swifts lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flair. Josh Calcutt took his position as the goalkeeper, while the back four consisted of Daniel Owen and Riley Cook as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Finley Biddle and Charlie Wheeler forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Jacob Kennedy and Oscar Sinton operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking play and controlling the tempo. The attacking trio featured Xavien Cowan-Obodo on the right, Bobby Davies in the central role, and Maison Kelly on the left, supporting striker Callum Young, who was the focal point of the attack.
Substitutes for the match included Jack Taylor, ollie ., and Jay Jay, who would later be called upon to make an impact as the game progressed.
The match began with an early interception by goalkeeper Josh Calcutt, setting the tone for a confident start from the Swifts. Just two minutes in, Riley Cook attempted a long pass, although it failed to create a chance. However, Jacob Kennedy quickly made his mark, delivering a slide rule pass that created a scoring opportunity for Bobby Davies, who unfortunately shot wide in the third minute.
The Swifts' persistence paid off when Callum Young was awarded a penalty in the fifth minute, which he converted with composure to give his side the lead. Just a minute later, Xavien Cowan-Obodo's slide rule pass created another chance, demonstrating the Swifts' attacking intent.
In the tenth minute, Calcutt was called into action again, parrying a shot from the ODW Lions, showcasing his goalkeeping skills. Bobby Davies then made a key pass in the twelfth minute, setting up a chance that resulted in a goal for Callum Young in the fourteenth minute, who tapped in after a long pass from Cowan-Obodo.
The Swifts' defence was tested in the twenty-third minute when Daniel Owen made a crucial interception to prevent a chance for the Lions. However, a misjudgement by Finley Biddle in the twenty-sixth minute led to a goal for ODW Lions, who capitalised on the defensive mistake to pull one back.
The Lions struck again just before half-time, scoring from a lob outside the box in the thirty-fifth minute, leaving the score at 2-2 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half saw immediate changes for the Swifts, with tactical substitutions made in the thirty-sixth minute, bringing on Jack Taylor, ollie ., and Jay Jay. Bobby Davies attempted a shot shortly after the substitutions, but it went high. Ollie . had a chance saved in the thirty-eighth minute, as the Swifts continued to press for goals.
The breakthrough came in the forty-sixth minute when Bobby Davies scored a stunning long-range effort, putting the Swifts back in front. Callum Young then added to his tally in the fifty-third minute with a well-placed shot inside the box, assisted by ollie ., before scoring again moments later, showcasing his clinical finishing.
Young completed his hat-trick in the fifty-fifth minute, scoring from a goalmouth scramble, and added another in the fifty-seventh minute with a close-range tap-in, bringing his tally to four goals.
Maison Kelly finally got in on the act in the sixty-ninth minute, scoring the Swifts' ninth goal of the match, capping off an emphatic performance. Jay Jay made a vital interception in the sixty-fourth minute, preventing any further chances for the Lions, while Maison Kelly also made a key pass that led to another goal.
The match concluded with a final score of 9-2, a testament to the Swifts' attacking prowess and teamwork, with Bobby Davies earning the Player of the Match accolade for his influential performance.
