In a stunning display of footballing prowess, Castlevale triumphed over KSQ with an emphatic 8-0 victory in their league home match at Jewel Park on 29 September 2024. The match kicked off at 1:15pm, and it was a performance that will be remembered by the home fans for its sheer dominance and attacking flair.
Castlevale lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Matteo Pia took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Charlie Snaith on the right, Rian Henderson and Yusupha Touray in central defence, and Rhys Cameron on the left. The midfield featured Ru Aitchison and Zach Smith on the right and left flanks respectively, with Gus Bartlett and James Mackenzie occupying central roles. Rocco Saragiottto played just behind the lone striker, Mjd Alnafea, who was tasked with leading the line and finishing off the chances created by his teammates.
The substitutes for Castlevale included Joseph Boateng, Lewis Taylor, Patrick Martinez, James Nisbet, Eddie Thomson, and Cam Day, providing depth and options for tactical adjustments throughout the match.
The scoring opened early in the match when Mjd Alnafea found the back of the net in the 6th minute, assisted by Rocco Saragiottto. Just three minutes later, Alnafea struck again, doubling Castlevale's lead to 2-0. The early onslaught set the tone for the match, leaving KSQ struggling to find their footing.
In the 17th minute, Castlevale made their first substitution, bringing on Joseph Boateng for Rocco Saragiottto. This change did not disrupt the flow of the game, as just three minutes later, James Mackenzie scored the third goal, with Ru Aitchison providing the assist.
The relentless Castlevale attack continued, and in the 21st minute, Joseph Boateng marked his entry into the game with a goal, assisted by Mjd Alnafea, making it 4-0. The home side's dominance was evident, and KSQ seemed unable to cope with the relentless pressure.
Further substitutions followed in the 33rd minute, with Lewis Taylor replacing Ru Aitchison and Patrick Martinez coming on for Charlie Snaith. Shortly after, in the 34th minute, Castlevale made a goalkeeper change, bringing on James Nisbet for Matteo Pia.
Eddie Thomson then replaced James Mackenzie in the 42nd minute, just before the half-time whistle blew, with Castlevale leading 4-0 at the interval.
The second half resumed with Castlevale continuing their attacking onslaught. Joseph Boateng scored his second goal of the match in the 50th minute, with Mjd Alnafea providing the assist. The score now stood at 5-0, and the home side showed no signs of slowing down.
In the 53rd minute, Cam Day entered the fray, taking the place of Mjd Alnafea, who had already made a significant impact on the game. The goals kept coming, as James Mackenzie scored his second of the match in the 58th minute, assisted by Lewis Taylor, extending the lead to 6-0.
Just a minute later, Gus Bartlett got in on the act, scoring the seventh goal with an assist from Zach Smith. The Castlevale fans were in raptures as their team continued to dominate.
The final goal of the match came in the 65th minute, with Mjd Alnafea completing his brace and sealing the scoreline at 8-0.
Castlevale's performance was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. The referee, Keiran Macallam, had a relatively quiet afternoon, with the match largely controlled by the home side. This victory will undoubtedly boost Castlevale's confidence as they continue their league campaign.
