In an exhilarating league encounter at Oldbury Park Primary School on 8th February 2025, Catshill FC U-11s emerged victorious against Oldbury Park Tigers U11 Bengals with a final score of 3-1. The match kicked off at 9.30am, showcasing the talents of both teams in a thrilling 60-minute contest.
Catshill FC adopted a 3-3-2 formation, with Ethan Cahill in goal, supported by a solid defensive trio comprising Seb Taylor, Harry Smith, and Arthur Sowden. The midfield was anchored by Tommy Bliss in the centre, flanked by Mason Gormley on the right and Logan Stokes on the left. Up front, Luca Toole and Archie Fleming-Gray were tasked with leading the attack, looking to exploit any gaps in the opposition's defence. The substitutes for the match included Harry Humphries, Charlie Andrews, Seth Keane-Hawkes, and Lucas Higgs.
The match began with an early flurry of action, as Ethan Cahill demonstrated his goalkeeping prowess with a full stretch save just two minutes in, followed by another remarkable save a minute later. Catshill's Archie Fleming-Gray then had a chance to score in the third minute, but his effort was thwarted by the Oldbury Park defence. Luca Toole also tested the opposition's goalkeeper in the tenth minute, but his shot was saved as well.
As the game progressed, Cahill was called into action again, parrying a shot in the 16th minute, while Logan Stokes had a chance saved shortly after. Seb Taylor made a crucial interception in the 24th minute, preventing a potential goal-scoring opportunity for the Tigers. The breakthrough for Catshill came in the 27th minute when Archie Fleming-Gray capitalised on a goalmouth scramble, scoring with an assist from Luca Toole, sending the away crowd into raptures.
With the first half ending at 30 minutes, Catshill led 1-0. A tactical substitution saw Harry Humphries replace Seb Taylor at the break. The second half commenced with Luca Toole attempting to extend the lead, but his shot went wide. However, the Oldbury Park Tigers responded quickly, equalising in the 32nd minute, much to the dismay of the Catshill players.
The game continued to ebb and flow, but in the 46th minute, Charlie Andrews, who had just come on for Archie Fleming-Gray, scored a stunning long-range lob, restoring Catshill's lead. With momentum on their side, Catshill made another substitution in the 50th minute, bringing on Seth Keane-Hawkes for Arthur Sowden.
Ethan Cahill showcased his skills once more with a notable save shortly after, maintaining the slender lead. In the 51st minute, Luca Toole scored his goal from close range, assisted by Lucas Higgs, putting Catshill 3-1 ahead. Despite several attempts from Charlie Andrews and Mason Gormley, the Tigers' goalkeeper held firm, denying further goals.
As the match drew to a close, Cahill was called upon again, parrying a shot in the 57th minute, and Andrews had another effort saved just before the final whistle. The match concluded with Catshill FC U-11s securing a well-deserved victory, showcasing their resilience and attacking flair throughout the contest. Mason Gormley was rightly awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding performance in midfield, contributing significantly to the team's success.
