In a commanding display, Lads Club U12 triumphed over Hinton Youth U12 with a resounding 4-1 victory in their league home match held on 23 March 2025 at 10:30 am. The match, played in front of a modest crowd of 27, showcased the home side's attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation.
Lads Club U12 lined up in a 2-5-1 formation, designed to maximise their midfield control while maintaining a strong defensive base. Albert Ferneyhough took his position in goal, shielded by central defenders Archie Rigby and Romeo Roberts. The midfield quintet consisted of Musa Touray on the right, Bodhi Round on the left, and a central trio of Charlie Swain, Flyn Watkins, and Theo Lewis, with Oscar Jones leading the line as the lone striker. This setup allowed for fluid transitions between defence and attack, with the midfielders expected to support both the defence and the forward line.
The substitutes for Lads Club included Thomi Scoular, Finn Jones, Lucas Price, Chase Bracegirdle, Charlie Arnold, Mali Lewis, and Louis Howells, providing depth and tactical flexibility for the manager.
The match began with an early attempt from Archie Rigby, who shot wide in the second minute, quickly followed by Theo Lewis, whose effort was saved. However, it was Theo who opened the scoring just two minutes later, converting a short pass from Bodhi Round with a precise right-footed shot from inside the box. The home side continued to press, with Rigby hitting the crossbar shortly after, showcasing their attacking intent.
Oscar Jones had a chance to extend the lead in the sixth minute, but his shot was saved. Charlie Swain and Flyn Watkins both had attempts that failed to find the target, with Swain's effort going high and Watkins' saved. Theo Lewis then missed another opportunity, shooting wide in the ninth minute, but Flyn Watkins made a key pass shortly after, demonstrating his playmaking abilities.
Rigby again came close to scoring, hitting the crossbar for the second time in the tenth minute, before Oscar Jones found the net in the twelfth minute. Assisted by Rigby with a long free kick, Jones tapped in from close range with his left foot, doubling the lead for Lads Club U12.
The first substitutions came in the fourteenth minute, with Chase Bracegirdle, Lucas Price, Thomi Scoular and Finn Jones entering the fray, replacing Flyn Watkins, Theo Lewis, Oscar and Musa Touray respectively. Oscar Jones then came back on in the 25th due to Thomi taking a knock that needed resting. Oscar then had another shot saved shortly after, but the momentum remained with Lads Club.
Archie Rigby continued to be a standout performer, making a crucial interception in the twenty-third minute to prevent a chance for Hinton Youth. He then had another attempt saved before scoring a stunning direct free-kick from outside the box in the twenty-ninth minute, further extending the lead to 3-0.
As the first half drew to a close, Lads Club U12 went into the break with a comfortable advantage. The second half began with a substitution for Lads Club, bringing Musa Touray back on for Chase Bracegirdle. The game resumed with Theo Lewis also re-entering the match, replacing Finn Jones.
The second half saw Lads Club start quickly, with Flyn Watkins scoring in the fortieth minute, assisted by Lucas Price, giving them a four-goal cushion. Hinton Youth finally broke through in the forty-fifth minute, scoring from a goalmouth scramble to make it 4-1
The match continued with several attempts from both sides, including a shot from Theo Lewis that hit the crossbar shortly after the restart. Substitutions were made to refresh the squad, with Thomi Scoular, Charlie Arnold, and Romeo Roberts all entering the game.
Chase Bracegirdle had a couple of attempts saved and went wide, while Finn Jones also had a shot saved. The final minutes saw Louis Howells and Mali Lewis both trying to add to the scoreline, with Howells having a couple of attempts that went high and wide, and Mali hitting the post.
As the match concluded, Lads Club U12 secured a convincing 4-1 victory, showcasing their attacking flair and solid defensive work throughout the game. The performance will surely boost their confidence going into the friendly on Friday.
