In a thrilling league encounter at Little Perdiswell on 22 February 2025, Catshill FC U-11s secured a convincing 4-1 victory against Warndon Villages Youth U11 Vipers. The match kicked off at 9:30 am, showcasing the young talents of both teams in a competitive 9-a-side format.
Catshill FC adopted a 3-3-2 formation, with Ethan Cahill stationed as the goalkeeper. The defensive line comprised Seb Taylor on the right, Harry Humphries in the centre, and Seth Keane-Hawkes on the left. The midfield trio featured Stanley Kimberley on the right, Tommy Bliss centrally, and Logan Stokes on the left, while Archie Fleming-Gray and Luca Toole operated as forwards on the right and left flanks, respectively. This setup aimed to provide a solid defensive foundation while allowing for dynamic attacking play through the wings.
The substitutes for Catshill FC included Arthur Sowden, Mason Gormley, Freddie Harris, Harry Smith, Charlie Robinson, and Lucas Higgs, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The match began with an early attempt from Logan Stokes in the fourth minute, but his effort was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. Catshill FC continued to press, with Archie Fleming-Gray making a slide rule pass in the 13th minute, although it did not create a clear chance. Luca Toole then had a go at goal in the 14th minute, but his shot went wide, reflecting the early frustrations of the Catshill attack.
Ethan Cahill was called into action shortly after, making two crucial parries in the 16th and 17th minutes to keep the Vipers at bay. Harry Humphries showcased his defensive prowess with a vital clearance in the 19th minute, preventing a potential scoring opportunity for the Vipers. Despite their efforts, Catshill struggled to find the back of the net in the first half, with attempts from Tommy Bliss and Archie Fleming-Gray both failing to hit the target.
As the first half drew to a close, Catshill FC finally broke the deadlock. In the 30th minute, Archie Fleming-Gray scored with a well-placed right-footed shot from inside the box, sending his team into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw immediate tactical changes, with Arthur Sowden and Mason Gormley coming on for Seth Keane-Hawkes and Stanley Kimberley, respectively. Gormley quickly made his presence felt, although his attempts in the 31st and 33rd minutes went wide of the mark.
In the 37th minute, Harry Smith replaced Harry Humphries and Freddie Harris came on for Archie Fleming-Gray. Harris wasted no time in making an impact, scoring a goal in the 41st minute following a chaotic goalmouth scramble, with Luca Toole providing the assist.
Just nine minutes later, Harris struck again, this time from outside the box after a great pass from Harry Smith, with a stunning left-footed long-range effort that found the back of the net, extending Catshill's lead to 3-0.
Warndon Villages Youth U11 Vipers managed to pull one back in the 54th minute, but Catshill responded swiftly. Mason Gormley scored in the 57th minute, converting a chance set up by Freddie Harris, sealing the match at 4-1.
Ethan Cahill remained vigilant in goal, making a final save in the 59th minute to ensure a comfortable victory for Catshill FC. The match concluded with Catshill FC U-11s celebrating a well-deserved win, showcasing their attacking flair and solid defensive work throughout the game. Freddie Harris was notably instrumental, earning recognition as the standout player of the match.
