The Malet Vikings U16 faced off against Bilton FC in a highly anticipated league home match held at Liberty Green, Simpson Crescent Park, on 29 September 2024. The Vikings delivered a commanding performance, securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory that underscored their dominance throughout the contest. In a 3-5-2 formation, the Vikings deployed Linden Maughan in goal, with a solid defensive trio comprising Alfie Jackman as the central defender, flanked by Dan Young on the right and Axel Nicholson on the left. The midfield was orchestrated by a trio of central midfielders—Will Schrimshaw, Lucas Applegate, and Tommy Anson—providing both defensive stability and creative flair, while Ronnie Fuller and Lucas Hunt occupied the right and left midfielder positions, respectively, supporting the two forwards, Alex Ward on the right and Ethan Pickering on the left. Substitutes for the match included Louie Brookes, Eliot Wilberforce, Logan Pashley, Giulio Clemenza, and Martins M. The match commenced with an early substitution for the Vikings, as Louie Brookes replaced Lucas Applegate just a minute in. The home side quickly asserted their intent, with Will Schrimshaw testing the Bilton keeper in the third minute, but his effort was saved. As the match progressed, Alex Ward had a chance to find the back of the net in the 17th minute, yet once more, the Bilton goalkeeper was equal to the task. Defensively, Lucas Hunt showcased his skills with a crucial tackle in the 19th minute, preventing a promising Bilton attack. The Vikings finally broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when Alex Ward confidently converted a penalty with his right foot after a foul in the box. Just a minute later, goalkeeper Linden Maughan displayed his alertness with an interception, ensuring his team maintained their lead. As the first half neared its conclusion, Ethan Pickering was caught offside due to a mistimed run, but the decision was correct. Lucas Applegate then had another attempt, which went wide in the 34th minute, before Schrimshaw's shot was saved in the 35th minute. Maughan's goalkeeping prowess was on full display in the 38th minute when he executed a full stretch save to keep Bilton at bay. The half ended with tactical substitutions for the Vikings as Eliot Wilberforce and Logan Pashley came on for Ethan Pickering and Dan Young, respectively, just before the half-time whistle blew. The second half began with more action as Giulio Clemenza entered the fray, taking over from Ronnie Fuller in the 56th minute. The Vikings extended their lead in the 58th minute when Lucas Applegate scored with his right foot, clinically finishing a short pass from Tommy Anson. Only four minutes later, in the 62nd minute, Will Schrimshaw added a third goal, tapping in from close range after a precise cross from Applegate, showcasing the Vikings' attacking prowess. As the match approached its conclusion, Martins M replaced Alex Ward in the 70th minute, but the scoreline remained unchanged as the Vikings solidified their dominance against Bilton FC. The final whistle blew with the Malet Vikings U16 celebrating a decisive 3-0 victory, a performance that highlighted not only their attacking capabilities but also their defensive resilience, with standout performances from both Lucas Applegate and Alfie Jackman, earning them Player(s) of the Match honours.
