In a thrilling cup encounter at Occupation Road, Stewarts & Lloyds, Corby Stewart & Lloyds U12 Irons showcased their prowess with a commanding 4-1 victory over Aztec on 26 January 2025. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, and the Irons' performance was nothing short of exceptional, securing their place in the next round of the competition.
The Irons lined up in a 3-4-1 formation, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Jack McBride took his position as the goalkeeper, while a back three comprised Bobby Thomson on the right, Kaiden Lloyd in the centre, and Riley Clark on the left. The midfield was anchored by Ted Althorpe and Jak Taylor in central roles, flanked by Balin Stewart on the right and Harry Kelly on the left, providing width and support for the lone striker, Jacob Kajura, who was tasked with leading the attack. The substitutes for the match included Rory Miles, Cody Wykes, Danielius Vitochinas, Jude Walker, George Davis, and Liam Gartshore.
The Irons started brightly, and their early pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Jacob Kajura opened the scoring, capitalising on a well-placed assist from Bobby Thomson. The goal set the tone for the match, with the Irons looking increasingly confident as they dominated possession and territory.
Just four minutes later, Kajura struck again in the 21st minute, doubling the Irons' lead and showcasing his clinical finishing ability. The Aztec defence struggled to contain the forward's movement, and it was evident that the Irons were in control.
The Irons continued to apply pressure, and in the 24th minute, they were rewarded with an own goal from an Aztec player, following a dangerous cross from Ted Althorpe. This unfortunate incident for the visitors extended the Irons' lead to 3-0, leaving Aztec with a mountain to climb.
As the first half drew to a close, the Irons added a fourth goal in the 27th minute, with Kajura completing his hat-trick thanks to an assist from Balin Stewart. The Irons went into the half-time break with a commanding 4-0 lead, leaving Aztec reeling and in need of a significant turnaround.
The second half saw a series of substitutions for the Irons as they looked to maintain their momentum while managing player fatigue. Rory Miles replaced Kaiden Lloyd in the 16th minute, followed by Cody Wykes coming on for Bobby Thomson and Danielius Vitochinas stepping in for Jack McBride, both substitutions occurring at the half-hour mark.
As the second half commenced, Jude Walker and George Davis were introduced for Harry Kelly and Balin Stewart respectively, while Liam Gartshore replaced Jacob Kajura in the 31st minute, a tactical move to give the hat-trick hero a well-deserved rest.
In the 49th minute, Kajura returned to the pitch, replacing Ted Althorpe, and shortly after, Harry Kelly came back on for Jak Taylor. The Irons continued to press, but in the 56th minute, Aztec managed to find a consolation goal, breaking through the Irons' defence to make the score 4-1.
Despite the setback, the Irons held firm and maintained their composure, ensuring that the match ended with them firmly in control. The final whistle confirmed a resounding victory for Corby Stewart & Lloyds U12 Irons, who will take great confidence from this performance as they progress in the cup competition.
