In a hard fought display, Lads Club Juniors U11 couldn't get off the mark against Ludlow Lions U11 with a final score of 0-0 in a league home match held at Hereford Lads Club on 8th February 2025. The match kicked off at 10:30 am and showcased the Juniors' defensive solidity, earning them a point from the team they havn't been able to overcome this season.
Lads Club Juniors adopted a 3-4-1 formation on this occasion, which allowed them to maintain a strong defensive line while providing ample support in midfield. Lucas Price was stationed in goal, with a back three comprising Archie Rigby on the right, Louis Howells in the centre, and Romeo Roberts on the left. The midfield was anchored by Thomi Scoular and Finn Jones in central roles, flanked by Chase Bracegirdle on the right and Charlie Arnold on the left. Oscar Jones led the line as the striker, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for the match included Mali Lewis and Musa Touray, who would later be called upon to add fresh legs and energy to the squad.
The match began with an early offside call against Oscar Jones in the fourth minute, a decision that was deemed incorrect by the onlooking supporters. Just two minutes later, Chase Bracegirdle tested the Ludlow Lions' goalkeeper with a shot that was saved, signalling the Juniors' intent to dominate the game. However, Thomi Scoular found himself offside shortly after, with the decision correctly given due to good defending from the opposition.
Oscar Jones was a constant threat, making several attempts on goal, but each time he was thwarted by the Ludlow Lions' goalkeeper, who was in fine form. The Juniors' pressure continued to mount, with Oscar again being denied in the tenth and eleventh minutes. In the twelfth minute, a tactical substitution saw Mali Lewis replace Charlie Arnold, to be able to rest him and aim to inject a different option into the midfield.
As the first half progressed, Oscar Jones continued to be the focal point of the attack, but his efforts were met with resolute defending and more saves from the opposing goalkeeper. Romeo Roberts made a crucial clearance in the fourteenth minute, preventing a potential chance for Ludlow Lions, while Archie Rigby delivered a long pass that created a significant opportunity for the Juniors.
The first half concluded with a flurry of activity, but the score remained goalless as both teams headed into the break. The second half began with a substitution for Lads Club Juniors, bringing Thomi Scoular back onto the pitch in place of Mali Lewis, and Charlie Arnold re-entered the fray, replacing Musa Touray.
The Juniors maintained their attacking momentum, with Louis Howells attempting a shot that was saved shortly after the restart. Defensively, Howells and Rigby and Roberts were instrumental, making key tackles to thwart any advances from Ludlow Lions. The match saw further substitutions as Chase Bracegirdle returned to the pitch, replacing Romeo Roberts.
As the game approached its final stages, the Juniors continued to press for a breakthrough. Thomi Scoular had a chance that went wide, while Lucas Price showcased his goalkeeping skills with a remarkable dive at the feet of an oncoming attacker in the dying minutes. He followed this up with a point-blank reaction save, demonstrating his importance to the team's defensive efforts.
In the final moments, an injury to Louis Howells forced another substitution, with Romeo Roberts coming back on to provide defensive cover. Despite the relentless efforts from both sides and a shot from Chase Bracegirdle that drifted wide in the dying seconds, the match ended in a stalemate, with Lads Club Juniors U11 securing a solid point against Ludlow Lions U11. The performance highlighted the Juniors' resilience and tactical discipline, setting a positive tone for their upcoming fixture at Edgar street later this year. Well done to Archie Rigby, Louis Howells, Romeo Roberts and Lucas Price who kept the Ludlow Lions at bay from our goal line and earned the players of the match award ??.
