In a thrilling league encounter held at Wellington on 25 January 2025, Lads Club Juniors U11 emerged victorious with a scoreline of 2-1 against their hosts, Wellington U11. The match kicked off at 10:30 am and showcased an intense battle between two well-matched sides, with Lads Club Juniors demonstrating resilience and tactical prowess.
Lads Club Juniors lined up in a 2-5-1 formation, which allowed them to dominate the midfield while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Lucas Price took his place in goal, with Archie Rigby and Louis Howells forming a central defensive partnership. The midfield was packed with creativity, featuring Finn Jones on the right, Charlie Arnold on the left, and a trio of central midfielders: Thomi Scoular, Charlie Swain, and Theo Lewis. Oscar Jones led the line as the lone striker, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for Lads Club Juniors included Romeo Roberts, Chase Bracegirdle, Flyn Watkins, and Musa Touray, providing depth and options for tactical changes as the match progressed.
The match began with an early flourish from Lads Club Juniors, as Finn Jones made a key long pass in the fourth minute, setting the tone for their attacking intent. However, just two minutes later, Wellington struck first, scoring inside the box with a right-footed effort that put Lads Club Juniors on the back foot and showed that Wellington's early pressure would require Lads Club to change up a gear to make a come back. Not long after the goal Louis attempted to header a goal kick forward but it caught his shnozzle and he needed to be substituted to allow him time to recover.
Despite the setback, Lads Club Juniors found that gear and responded quickly. In the 13th minute, Thomi Scoular battled forward and found the back of the net, converting a short pass from Finn Jones to level the score. This goal injected fresh energy into the team, and they continued to press for a second.
Oscar Jones, showing his attacking flair, had several attempts on goal, but his shots were either saved or went wide He was pushing for his 50th goal for Lads Club Juniors but it was proving a challenge. The Lads Club Juniors' midfielders, Charlie Swain and Theo Lewis, were instrumental in creating opportunities, with Swainer making a notable through pass in the 26th minute that nearly resulted in another goal.
As the first half progressed, Lads Club Juniors maintained their pressure, with Charlie Arnold running up and down the wing tirelessly to support both in attack and defence. Lucas Price making crucial saves, including a dive at the feet of an opponent in the 12th minute and a punch to clear danger in the 35th minute. Theo with his calm forward passes, Finn using his skillful footwork to give himself time on the ball Swainer and Thomi were also making well coming back from recent injuries. The half ended with the score still tied at 1-1, leaving both teams eager for the second half.
The second half commenced with Chase, Flyn and Musa all contributing to the pressure that Lads Club were enforcing on Wellington. Whilst Lads Club Juniors were looking to assert their dominance In the 46th minute, Oscar Jones scored the decisive goal, converting a lovely timed pass from Theo Lewis inside the box, sending the travelling supporters into raptures??
Wellington attempted to respond, but Lucas Price was in fine form, making a point-blank reaction save shortly after the goal. Lads Club Juniors continued to press, with Thomi Scoular and Musa taking shots that narrowly missed the target.
As the match drew to a close, Lads Club Juniors held firm against Wellington's attempts to equalise. The defensive efforts of Archie Rigby, Romeo Roberts and Louis Howells, along with the midfield's tireless work rate, ensured that the team maintained their lead.
In the end, Lads Club Juniors U11 celebrated a hard-fought victory, showcasing their determination and skill on the pitch. Charlie Swain's performance earned him the accolade of Player of the Match, highlighting his significant contribution to the team's success.
