The Catshill Middle School played host to an exciting league encounter on 28 September 2024, where Catshill FC U-11's faced off against Malvern Hillsiders Junior FC U11 Blues. The match, which kicked off at 11:00 am, ended in a narrow 4-3 defeat for the home side, showcasing a thrilling display of youth football.
In a 3-3-2 formation, Catshill FC lined up with Ethan Cahill in goal, shielded by a defensive trio consisting of Harry Humphries on the right, Harry Smith in the centre, and Seth Keane-Hawkes on the left. The midfield was anchored by Logan Stokes centrally, flanked by Mason Gormley on the right and Freddie Harris on the left. Up front, Luca Toole and Charlie Andrews operated as forwards, looking to convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for Catshill FC included Seb Taylor, Arthur Sowden, Tommy Bliss, Archie Fleming-Gray, Charlie Robinson, and Lucas Higgs, providing tactical options throughout the match.
Right from the outset, Catshill FC made an explosive start, with Logan Stokes scoring a well-crafted goal just one minute into the match, assisted by Mason Gormley. The home side's early lead, however, was short-lived as Malvern Hillsiders equalised with a penalty in the seventh minute.
Catshill's Logan Stokes attempted to restore the lead in the 11th minute but his shot went wide. The visitors then took control, scoring a remarkable goal from outside the box in the 20th minute, leaving the home side trailing 2-1.
Defensively, Harry Humphries made a crucial tackle in the 25th minute, preventing a clear chance for the opponents. This was followed by a response from Catshill, as Luca Toole found the back of the net with a long-range strike in the 28th minute, levelling the score at 2-2 just before the half-time break.
The first half concluded at 30 minutes, with both teams showing determination and skill. Following the interval, Catshill made three tactical substitutions: Arthur Sowden replaced Harry Smith, Tommy Bliss came on for Freddie Harris, and Seb Taylor took over from Seth Keane-Hawkes.
The second half saw Malvern Hillsiders take the lead once more with a fluke goal in the 35th minute, catching the Catshill defence off guard. Ethan Cahill, the goalkeeper, showcased his skills with a parry in the 38th minute, keeping the scoreline manageable.
As the game progressed, Archie Fleming-Gray came on for Charlie Andrews in the 39th minute, with further substitutions introducing Charlie Robinson for Logan Stokes in the 46th minute and Lucas Higgs replacing Luca Toole in the 49th minute. Freddie Harris returned to the pitch in the 51st minute, taking the place of Mason Gormley. Malvern extended their lead with a breakaway goal taking the score to 4-2.
Catshill continued to push for a goal to get them back into the game with Archie Fleming-Gray testing the opposition goalkeeper in the 53rd minute, though his attempt was saved. Freddie Harris followed up with a chance that went wide in the 55th minute, while Tommy Bliss struck the crossbar just a minute later, highlighting Catshill's growing pressure.
In a dramatic finish, Tommy Bliss finally found the net in the 58th minute, scoring a well-constructed goal with an assist from Archie Fleming-Gray. Despite the late surge, Catshill FC ultimately fell short, succumbing to a 4-3 defeat against Malvern Hillsiders Junior FC U11 Blues.
The match was a testament to the competitive spirit of youth football, with both teams showcasing their talents and determination. Tommy Bliss stood out as the Player of the Match, his performance reflecting his impact on the game.
