In a commanding performance, Lads Club U12 faced Hinton Youth U12 at Hinton FC Broomy Hill on 13 October 2024, securing a resounding 9-0 victory in their league away match. The match kicked off at 10:30 am and saw Lads Club showcase their attacking prowess throughout the 60 minutes of play.
Lads Club adopted a 2-5-1 formation, with Chase Bracegirdle in goal, flanked by central defenders Louis Howells and Romeo Roberts. The midfield was packed with five players: Bodhi Round on the right, Musa Touray on the left, and a central trio of Flyn Watkins, Charlie Swain, and Finn Jones, providing both defensive cover and attacking support. Oscar Jones led the line as the lone striker, expected to convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for Lads Club included Thomi Scoular, Archie Rigby, Pippa Williams, Charlie Arnold, and Lucas Price, ready to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match began with an early opportunity for Hinton as Chase Bracegirdle made a confident catch just three minutes in, asserting Lads Club's intent. Oscar Jones quickly followed up with an attempt that went wide at the five-minute mark, but he soon found his scoring touch. In the eighth minute, he tapped in a cross from Flyn Watkins, giving Lads Club the lead. Just a minute later, Oscar Jones struck again, this time with his left foot, doubling the advantage.
Hinton struggled to contain Lads Club's relentless attack, and Louis Howells made a crucial interception in the tenth minute to prevent a potential chance. Oscar Jones continued to threaten, with three attempts in quick succession—each saved by the Hinton goalkeeper, showcasing his determination to add to his tally.
The first substitutions came at the 15-minute mark, with Thomi Scoular, Archie Rigby, and Pippa Williams entering the fray, replacing Oscar Jones, Romeo Roberts, and Finn Jones. The fresh legs continued to apply pressure, with Musa Touray's shot saved shortly after.
Lucas Price joined the action in the 19th minute, taking the place of Flyn Watkins, and Charlie Arnold replaced Musa Touray shortly thereafter. Lucas Price's first attempt went wide, but the momentum was building for Lads Club. In the 27th minute, Archie Rigby scored a stunning direct free-kick from outside the box, extending the lead to 3-0.
As the first half drew to a close, Lads Club maintained their dominance, with several attempts saved, including efforts from Thomi Scoular, Charlie Arnold, and Romeo Roberts. The half-time whistle blew with Lads Club firmly in control, leading 3-0.
The second half commenced with Oscar Jones re-entering the match, replacing Thomi Scoular. Just a few minutes into the half, Oscar Jones scored again, driving home a shot from a through ball from Lucas Price. In the 36th Oscar was on the scoresheet again tapping in from close range to make it 5-0. Charlie Arnold's attempt was saved shortly after, but the relentless pressure continued.
Archie Rigby scored his second of the match with another stunning direct free-kick from outside the box in the 38th minute, pushing the score to 6-0 Archie has certainly shown he can convert free kicks from any angle around the goal keepers area. Charlie Swain then converted a penalty in the 40th minute, further extending the lead to 7-0.
As substitutions continued, Flyn Watkins returned to the pitch, and Bodhi Round came on as well. Lads Club's attacking play showed no signs of slowing down, with attempts from Oscar Jones and Thomi Scoular being saved.
In the 49th minute, Thomi Scoular scored a well-executed goal, assisted by Louis Howells, making it 8-0. The substitutions continued to flow, with Charlie Swain and Finn Jones re-entering the match.
Despite numerous attempts from Lads Club, including efforts from Thomi Scoular, Bodhi Round and a free kick from Pippa Williams that came close to the top corner of the goal, it wasn't until the 55th minute when Lucas came close shaking the keepers post with a lofted strike. Then in the 60th minute Oscar Jones found the net again, scoring his fifth goal of the match with a right-footed shot from inside the box, bringing the score to 9-0.
Archie Rigby had the last chance of the game and a chance to add to his tally but was unable to convert. The match concluded with a final score of 9-0, a testament to Lads Club's dominance and attacking flair. Flyn Watkins was recognised as the standout performer, awarded player of the match for orchestrating play from midfield and contributing significantly to the team's success.
