In a boggy underwhelming cup encounter at Wellington on 9th November 2024, Lads Club Juniors U11 emerged victorious with a solid 2-0 win against their hosts, Wellington U11 Juniors. The match kicked off at 10:30 am and showcased a blend of resilience and grit from the Lads Club side.
Lads Club Juniors opted for 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, flanked by central defenders Archie Rigby and Romeo Roberts. The midfield was packed with creativity and energy, featuring Finn Jones on the right, Charlie Arnold on the left, and a trio of central midfielders: Thomi Scoular, Charlie Swain, and Flyn Watkins. Up front, Oscar Jones led the line as the lone striker, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for Lads Club Juniors included Musa Touray, Louis Howells, and Chase Bracegirdle, who were poised to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match began with both teams testing each other’s defences, but it was Lucas Price who was called into action early, executing a remarkable dive at his feet to deny a Wellington attack in the 9th minute. Just six minutes later, Price showcased his reliability again, making a confident catch to keep the score level.
As the game unfolded, Charlie Swain attempted to create an opening with a clever flick from a corner in the 18th minute, although it did not lead to a chance at the back post. Tactical changes were made in the 20th minute when Musa Touray replaced Flyn Watkins, injecting fresh energy into the midfield.
Oscar Jones then had a promising attempt in the 22nd minute, but his shot hit the post, keeping the match scoreless. However, just a minute later, Musa Touray made his mark, scoring a well-placed goal inside the box with his right foot, putting Lads Club Juniors ahead 1-0.
The first half concluded with Lads Club Juniors leading, and they continued to apply pressure after the break. Archie Rigby was instrumental in defence, making a crucial interception in the 31st minute to prevent a Wellington chance. Shortly thereafter, Romeo was substituted for Louis Howells, further solidifying the team's defensive strategy.
Musa Touray continued to threaten, but his attempt in the 32nd minute was saved. Oscar Jones also had a shot saved in the 35th minute, demonstrating Lads Club's persistent attacking intent. Tactical adjustments saw Chase Bracegirdle come on for Oscar Jones in the 37th minute, followed by Flyn Watkins returning to the fray in the 38th minute.
The second half saw Lads Club Juniors maintain their control, with Touray again testing the Wellington goalkeeper in the 48th minute, but to no avail. As the match approached its final stages, Oscar Jones made a significant impact, scoring a tap-in goal in the 54th minute after he ran onto an assisted pass by Finn Jones, extending the lead to 2-0.
Lucas Price remained vigilant, executing another dive at his feet in the 55th minute to keep Wellington at bay. Oscar Jones had one final attempt in the 58th minute, but his shot was well saved, ensuring the match ended with Lads Club Juniors clinching a closely fought 2-0 victory.
The great performance of Lucas Price in goal, alongside Musa Touray's impactful display, earned them recognition as standout players of the match. Lads Club Juniors U11 will take great confidence from this result as they progress in the cup competition, showcasing their potential and teamwork throughout the encounter. Lads Club latest signing Theo Lewis was in attendance but had to watch due to being cup tied, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome him to the team.
