On 22 September 2024, at the King George V Playing Fields, Malet Vikings U16 secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against Hessle Rangers Colts in a competitive league away match. The match kicked off at 10:30 am, showcasing a spirited performance from both teams.
Malet Vikings set up in a 3-5-2 formation, which is designed to create a strong defensive base while allowing for dynamic attacking play. The three central defenders—Alfie Jackman, Axel Nicholson, and Lucas Hunt—were tasked with maintaining a solid backline, while the five midfielders, including Ronnie Fuller on the right and Ethan Pickering on the left, provided width and support to the forwards. Will Schrimshaw, Alex Ward, and Lucas Applegate occupied central midfield roles, expected to control the tempo and link play effectively. Up front, Tommy Anson and Louie Brookes were positioned as forwards, aiming to exploit any gaps in the opponent's defence and convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for Malet Vikings included Logan Pashley and Dan Young, both of whom would later be called upon to influence the match.
The early exchanges saw Tommy Anson attempting a high shot within the first three minutes, signalling Malet Vikings’ intent. Lucas Applegate then made a notable slide rule pass in the 10th minute, creating a chance that reflected the Vikings’ attacking philosophy. Just a minute later, Alex Ward followed suit with another slide rule pass, also creating a chance, demonstrating the team's cohesive play in the midfield.
In the 12th minute, Will Schrimshaw attempted a key pass, but this time it did not result in a goal-scoring opportunity. Meanwhile, Ronnie Fuller had a chance of his own in the 17th minute, but his effort soared high over the bar. Anson, persistent in his attacking efforts, had another shot saved by the opposition’s goalkeeper in the 20th minute, illustrating Malet Vikings’ continued pressure.
Alfie Jackman made an important long pass in the 26th minute that created a chance, although Anson saw his subsequent attempt saved again. A missed opportunity came in the 28th minute when Anson shot wide. Defensively, Axel Nicholson made a crucial interception in the 32nd minute, preventing a potential chance for Hessle Rangers.
Contentious moments followed as Jackman received a yellow card for unsporting behaviour shortly thereafter. In the 34th minute, Alex Ward nearly broke the deadlock, hitting the crossbar with a powerful effort that went just inches away from giving his side the lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Ashton Cooke-Hill showed his goalkeeping prowess with a full-stretch save in the 35th minute, keeping the scoreline level. The half concluded with no goals, but both teams exhibited plenty of attacking intent.
The second half began with Lucas Applegate testing the waters again with an effort that went wide in the 45th minute. The match saw a change in the 63rd minute when Ronnie Fuller was substituted back on for Dan Young, who had been brought on earlier.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute when Hessle Rangers converted a penalty, taking a 1-0 lead against the run of play. However, Malet Vikings responded positively, with Will Schrimshaw equalising in the 71st minute following a well-timed short pass from Ethan Pickering, showcasing their ability to strike back swiftly.
Tensions rose as a red card was shown for a bad tackle in the 79th minute, further intensifying the contest. Just moments later, in the same minute, Alex Ward made his mark by scoring from outside the box with a right-footed effort, assisted by a free kick, putting the Vikings ahead 2-1.
As the final whistle blew, Malet Vikings U16 emerged victorious, demonstrating resilience and tactical acumen against a determined Hessle Rangers Colts side. Axel Nicholson and Alfie Jackman were particularly impressive, earning them recognition as standout performers in an exhilarating match.
