In an exciting league encounter at Widemarsh Common on 29 March 2025, Lads Club Juniors U11 secured a convincing 3-1 victory against Minster Lions U11. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, with a modest crowd of 32 supporters witnessing a thrilling display of youth football.
Lads Club Juniors adopted a 2-5-1 formation, which allowed them to dominate the midfield while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Lucas Price took his position in goal, with Archie Rigby and Romeo Roberts forming a central defensive partnership. The midfield was packed with creativity and energy, featuring Chase Bracegirdle on the right, Musa Touray on the left, and a trio of central midfielders in Theo Lewis, Thomi Scoular, and Flyn Watkins. Oscar Jones led the line as the lone striker, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for Lads Club Juniors included Charlie Arnold, Finn Jones, and Louis Howells, who would later play crucial roles in the match.
The game began with an early offside call against Thomi Scoular in the second minute, as he was caught out by some astute defending from Minster Lions. Lads Club Juniors quickly settled into their rhythm, with Archie Rigby attempting a shot on goal in the fifth minute, but it sailed high over the bar. Rigby then showcased his defensive prowess just a minute later, making a vital interception to thwart a Minster Lions attack.
In the tenth minute, Oscar Jones made a key pass that set the tone for the match, demonstrating his ability to create opportunities. Shortly after, in the twelfth minute, Oscar Jones opened the scoring for Lads Club Juniors, converting a well-placed short pass from Chase Bracegirdle inside the box. The home side's lead was short-lived, however, as Minster Lions equalised in the fifteenth minute with a tap into an open goal from outside the box, after a clearance from Lucas Price landed at the feet of a Minster striker.
Tempers flared in the seventeenth minute when Thomi Scoular was penalised for a late tackle, leading to a free kick for Minster Lions. The game was physical with good battles amongst the players. The match saw its first substitution moments later, with Charlie Arnold replacing Musa Touray. Archie Rigby continued to shine defensively, making another interception in the nineteenth minute to maintain the pressure on the opposition.
Oscar Jones was a constant threat, and in the twenty-first minute, he had another attempt on goal, but it was saved by the Minster Lions goalkeeper. Theo Lewis committed a foul in the twenty-third minute, as the match became increasingly competitive. Louis Howells then entered the fray, taking over from Flyn Watkins in the twenty-sixth minute. Romeo Roberts doubled back to cover a long overhead ball putting an end to a Minster attack.
As the first half drew to a close, Oscar Jones had another shot saved just before the half-time whistle, which blew at the thirty-minute mark with the score level at 1-1.
The second half commenced with a substitution for Lads Club Juniors, as Chase Bracegirdle returned to the pitch, replacing Romeo Roberts. Oscar Jones continued to be the focal point of the attack, making a clever flick pass in the thirty-sixth minute that showcased his vision. His efforts paid off in the thirty-eighth minute when he scored a solo goal from outside the box, putting Lads Club Juniors back in front.
The match saw further substitutions, with Flyn Watkins returning to the pitch in the forty-third minute, replacing Chase Bracegirdle. Archie Rigby remained a defensive stalwart, attempting a shot that went high just moments later. Charlie Arnold had two attempts in quick succession, one saved and the other going wide, as he sought to add to the scoreline.
Theo Lewis was penalised again for a foul in the forty-fifth minute as he went shoulder to shoulder with the Minster midfielder, but Lads Club Juniors maintained their composure. Oscar Jones was not done yet; he scored his third goal of the match in the 46th minute, executing a half volley that left the goalkeeper helpless.
Musa Touray re-entered the game in the forty-sixth minute, taking over from Finn Jones who had seen some good one-two's on the right side. Musa Touray had a chance in the forty-ninth minute, but his shot went high. Lucas Price showcased his goalkeeping skills in the fifty-fourth minute, diving at the feet of an oncoming attacker to keep his side's two-goal cushion intact.
Flyn Watkins committed a late tackle in the fifty-fifth minute, but Lads Club Juniors continued to press forward. Charlie Arnold had another attempt saved in the fifty-seventh minute, but he also made a key pass that created a chance for his teammates.
As the match neared its conclusion, Flyn Watkins was flagged offside twice in quick succession, once for a mistimed run in the sixtieth minute. Archie Rigby capped off a solid performance with a crucial block in the dying moments of the match, ensuring Lads Club Juniors secured a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Minster Lions U11.
Oscar Jones was awarded the player of the match accolade after having probably his best game of the season. Great to see Louis Howells ramping up his game time from his spell out through injury.
