At Woodfield Academy on October 6th, 2024 at 2pm, Coleshill Town Colts U13 Black and Alvechurch Foundation U13 SC delivered a riveting contest that ended in a 3-3 stalemate, the kind of match that leaves you breathless and grateful for youth football’s raw excitement. This was a game that ebbed and flowed, packed with resilience, defensive errors, and moments of attacking brilliance, where both sides gave as good as they got.
Coleshill set up in a 4-1-4-1, looking for stability at the back but with license to push forward when possible. Jamie Aston, ever-dependable in goal, had his protection crew in front of him: Alfie Murray on the right, Dylan Boffey and Leo Rohman forming a tough-tackling centre-back partnership, and Taylor Williams providing balance on the left. Sitting just in front of them was the orchestrator, Antoni Laczny, the pivot in midfield, tasked with winning the ball and releasing Coleshill’s attacking talent. And that attacking talent didn’t disappoint: Ethan Doyle and Lucas Court occupied the wings, while Oscar Lawler and Max Wilson buzzed around the central areas, all feeding striker Finn Holt, whose instincts would prove vital.
But it was Alvechurch who struck first. In the 7th minute, a defensive lapse gave them the chance they needed, pouncing on a mistake to slot home and put Coleshill on the back foot. You wondered how the Colts would respond, but they answered emphatically, barely giving time for doubts to creep in. Six minutes later, Murray’s sharp vision and precise pass found Holt, who clinically finished to level the scores.
Coleshill had their tails up now, and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. A pinpoint free-kick delivery from Max Wilson found its way to Rohman in the box, who calmly slotted past the keeper to make it 2-1 in the 21st minute. The Colts were in control—or so it seemed.
But this was a game that refused to settle into any pattern. Alvechurch hit back quickly, first equalising with another moment of defensive frailty in the 27th minute, and then—just three minutes later—nodding home from close range to make it 3-2. It was chaotic, and it felt like neither side had the upper hand for long.
At the other end, Jamie Aston produced a superb save in the 34th minute to keep the Colts within striking distance, showing sharp reflexes to deny what looked a certain goal. But a tactical shake-up followed, with Janek Hart coming on for Aston in the 35th minute as Coleshill tried to steady the ship before the break.
Into the second half, and it was Aston who returned to the fray—this time replacing Lucas Court, who went off with an injury. Coleshill looked to push for an equaliser, with Boffey and Rohman holding firm at the back, the latter making an interception that snuffed out a dangerous Alvechurch attack in the 51st minute.
By the 59th minute, it looked like time might be running out for Coleshill. Williams was flagged offside in a promising position, a frustratingly narrow call that typified the fine margins in a game this tight. But there was still time for one final twist. With just seven minutes left on the clock, Williams showed composure and a touch of class, drifting past two Alvechurch players and threading a perfect pass into the path of Holt. The striker didn’t hesitate, driving forward before firing a clean, unstoppable strike past the keeper to bring the game back to 3-3.
The final whistle blew shortly after, and while neither side could claim victory, both teams walked away knowing they’d been part of something special. It was a draw that felt like a win for the neutral, and a performance full of heart and moments of brilliance for both teams to build on. Coleshill and Alvechurch are undoubtedly clubs with futures as bright as the attacking football on display today. Man of the Match was awarded to Leo Rohman for great defensive display and bagging an important goal in the first half.
