In an exhilarating league encounter at Oakway Academy #3 on 17 November 2024, Corby S & L Under 12 secured a convincing 4-1 victory against Comprehensive Football Centre U12. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, showcasing the young talents of both teams in a thrilling display of football.
Corby S & L lined up in a 4-3-1 formation, with Filip Opacic guarding the goal. The defensive line consisted of Tom Withpetersen on the right, Vuk Janus and Kaidyn Walker in central defence, and Riley McCrossan on the left. The midfield trio featured Artjom Sullivan on the right, Liam Smith in the centre, and Sonny Coombs on the left, while Jack Douglas led the attack as the lone striker. This setup allowed for a solid defensive structure while enabling quick transitions into attack, with the midfielders expected to support both defence and attack.
The substitutes for Corby included Buddy Urquhart, Harry Elliott, Rudy Gray, Connor Chambers, and Emilis Januskevicius, providing depth and tactical options for the manager throughout the match.
The scoring opened early in the match when Artjom Sullivan found the back of the net in the 9th minute, courtesy of a short pass from Jack Douglas. Sullivan's left-footed strike from close range set the tone for Corby’s dominance. Just eight minutes later, Tom Withpetersen doubled the lead with a stunning long-range effort, assisted by Riley McCrossan’s precise cross, leaving the Comprehensive goalkeeper with little chance.
As the first half drew to a close, Corby maintained their 2-0 advantage, showcasing a well-organised performance. The half-time whistle blew at the 30-minute mark, allowing both teams a brief respite to regroup.
The second half saw a flurry of tactical substitutions from Corby, with Buddy Urquhart, Harry Elliott, Rudy Gray, Connor Chambers, and Emilis Januskevicius all introduced shortly after the restart. This fresh energy continued to press the Comprehensive defence, leading to a third goal in the 39th minute. Emilis Januskevicius scored with a delightful lob, assisted by Connor Chambers, further extending Corby’s lead. Moments later, Rudy Gray added to the tally, converting from close range following a corner delivered by Harry Elliott.
Comprehensive Football Centre managed to pull one back in the 51st minute, scoring from inside the box with a right-footed effort. However, this did little to dampen Corby’s spirits, as they continued to control the game.
As the match progressed, further substitutions were made, with Jack Douglas returning to the pitch, followed by Riley McCrossan and Artjom Sullivan, who were replaced by Liam Smith and Sonny Coombs respectively. Despite Comprehensive's late efforts, Corby held firm, ensuring their victory was secure.
The final whistle confirmed a resounding 4-1 victory for Corby S & L Under 12, a result that highlighted their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation. Artjom Sullivan’s standout performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, a fitting recognition for his contributions in both scoring and assisting.
