In a commanding display, Lads Club Juniors U11 secured a resounding 6-1 victory over Ledbury Swifts Athletics U11 in their league match held at Hereford Lads Club on 18 January 2025. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, and the home side showcased their attacking prowess throughout the encounter, leaving the visitors struggling to keep pace.
Lads Club Juniors adopted a 2-5-1 formation, with Lucas Price in goal, flanked by central defenders Archie Rigby and Louis Howells. The midfield was packed with five players: Romeo Roberts and Mali Lewis on the right and left flanks respectively, while Finn Jones, Theo Lewis, and Flyn Watkins operated centrally. Oscar Jones who was proud to wear the captains armband led the line as the sole striker, tasked with converting chances into goals. This formation allowed for a fluid transition between defence and attack, with the midfielders expected to support both the backline and the forward.
The substitutes for Lads Club Juniors included Musa Touray, Charlie Arnold, Chase Bracegirdle, and Thomi Scoular, providing depth and tactical flexibility for the manager.
The match began with an explosive start as Finn Jones opened the scoring just one minute in, lobbing the ball over the Ledbury goalkeeper following a short pass from Oscar Jones. The home side quickly doubled their lead in the fourth minute when Oscar Jones finished off a well-worked team move, assisted again by Finn Jones with a precise short pass.
Lads Club Juniors continued to dominate the early exchanges, with Theo Lewis attempting a shot in the sixth minute that went wide. Romeo Roberts made a key long pass shortly after, creating a chance but failing to convert. Oscar Jones had another opportunity in the seventh minute, but his effort also went wide, as did a subsequent attempt from Flyn Watkins.
In the ninth minute, Oscar Jones found the net again, tapping in from close range after a short pass from Finn Jones, extending the lead to 3-0. The relentless pressure from the home side saw Romeo Roberts attempt another shot in the tenth minute, which was saved by the Ledbury keeper.
Oscar Jones was not done yet; he scored his third goal in the sixteenth minute, finishing inside the box after receiving a short pass from Flyn Watkins. The scoring continued as Lads Club Juniors made their first substitutions shortly after, bringing on Musa Touray for Mali Lewis Charlie Arnold for Louis Howells, while Chase Bracegirdle replaced Finn Jones.
Despite the substitutions, Lads Club Juniors maintained their momentum. Archie Rigby had a shot saved in the nineteenth minute, but the home side's dominance was evident. In the twenty-fourth minute, Oscar Jones scored his fourth goal, assisted by Theo Lewis, who delivered a beautifully weighted long pass that set up the finish.
As the first half drew to a close, Lads Club Juniors led 5-0, and the second half began with further substitutions, including Lucas Price being replaced by Chase Bracegirdle in goal and Oscar Jones making way for Thomi Scoular. The tactical changes aimed to maintain the team's energy and control over the match.
Musa Touray had a shot saved just after the restart, and Lucas Price made a key long pass that created another chance. However, the home side's defence remained solid, with Theo Lewis making a crucial sliding tackle to prevent any Ledbury attacks. Louis Howell attempted a couple of long range shots but the keeper was able to keep them out of the net.
The second half saw more substitutions, with Romeo Roberts returning to the pitch for Archie Rigby who had also had a solid game. Lads Club Juniors continued to press, and in the fifty-first minute, Charlie Arnold scored a tap-in after an accurately placed cross from Lucas Price, bringing the score to 6-0.
Ledbury Swifts finally found a consolation goal in the fifty-fourth minute, scoring a tap-in from close range after a cross from the right side, but it did little to dampen the spirits of the home side. The match concluded with Lads Club Juniors adding a sixth goal, showcasing their attacking flair and teamwork.
In the end, Lads Club Juniors U11 emerged victorious with a comprehensive 6-1 win, demonstrating their strength and cohesion as a team. Finley Jones took the coveted player of the match award after his dazzling display of skill down the left side. The performance will surely boost their confidence as they continue their league campaign and prepare to face Wellington which will prove to be a welcomed challenge.
