In a commanding display, Hashtag United U14 Blues faced off against Billericay Town Colts Y U14 Yellow in a cup away match at the Nursery Playing Fields on 13 October 2024, kicking off at 12:00pm. The Blues emerged victorious with a resounding 5-0 scoreline, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation throughout the encounter.
The Hashtag United U14 Blues lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, a classic setup that allowed for both defensive stability and attacking flexibility. Lewis Clements took his position as the goalkeeper, while the back four consisted of Alfie Skipp on the right, Ben Edmonds on the left, with Will Temple and Bobby Armstrong forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Jakson O'Brien operated on the right, Rhys Hayes on the left, with Jack Harbourne and Phuc Doan occupying central roles. Up front, Camille Harris-Senghor and William Savage were tasked with leading the line as forwards, expected to exploit any defensive lapses from the opposition.
The substitutes for the match included Leo Laing and Emir Gundaz, providing additional options for the Blues as the game progressed.
The scoring opened early in the first half when Camille Harris-Senghor found the back of the net in the 13th minute, assisted by Jack Harbourne. This early goal set the tone for the match, as the Blues quickly established their dominance. Just six minutes later, Jack Harbourne himself got on the scoresheet, converting a chance set up by Bobby Armstrong in the 19th minute, doubling the lead and putting Billericay Town under significant pressure.
In the 22nd minute, Hashtag United made their first substitution, bringing on Leo Laing for William Savage, a tactical move aimed at maintaining fresh legs in the forward line. The Blues continued to press, and in the 27th minute, Camille Harris-Senghor struck again, this time with an assist from Rhys Hayes, extending the lead to 3-0 before half-time.
As the first half drew to a close, the Blues were firmly in control, and the referee signalled for half-time at the 35-minute mark. The second half saw further changes for Hashtag United, with William Savage returning to the pitch in place of Jakson O'Brien just a minute into the half.
The second half continued in a similar vein, with the Blues maintaining their attacking momentum. In the 49th minute, Camille Harris-Senghor completed his hat-trick, scoring his third goal of the match with assistance from William Savage, making it 4-0 and effectively sealing the game.
In the 60th minute, Camille Harris-Senghor was substituted off for Leo Laing, a decision that allowed the Blues to manage their lead while also giving Laing valuable playing time. As the match approached its conclusion, Rhys Hayes capped off the scoring in the 70th minute, netting the fifth goal with an assist from Jack Harbourne, who was instrumental throughout the match.
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 5-0 victory for Hashtag United U14 Blues, a performance that will surely boost their confidence as they progress in the cup competition. The Blues demonstrated a blend of clinical finishing and solid teamwork, leaving Billericay Town Colts searching for answers in the wake of a heavy defeat.
