On 22nd September 2024, MSB Woolton U16 Di Stefano faced off against their clubmates, MSB Woolton U16 Baresi, in a league encounter held at Little Heath Playing Fields. The match kicked off at 9:30 am and concluded with a resounding victory for Di Stefano, who triumphed 7-1 over their opponents.
The Di Stefano side adopted a 4-3-3 formation, which is designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for attacking flair. The goalkeeper, Tony B, was shielded by a back four consisting of Jacob M on the right, Jacob F and Christie D as central defenders, and Aiden P on the left. In midfield, Charlie C operated on the right, with Khutso D and Sam B playing centrally and on the left respectively. Up front, Jack T took his position on the right wing, with Alex Y as the central striker and Stan P on the left flank. This formation typically requires the wide players to stretch the opposition and create space for the central striker, while the midfielders support both defence and attack.
The substitutes for Di Stefano included Oliver M, Jack W, John D, Max D, and Oscar R, ready to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match commenced explosively, with Jack T scoring the opening goal just a minute in, courtesy of a well-placed header from a cross delivered by Stan P. The early lead set the tone for what was to come. Just seven minutes later, Jack T struck again, this time finding the net with his right foot after a short through ball from Charlie C, extending the lead to 2-0.
However, the Baresi side responded swiftly, pulling one back in the 14th minute with a tap-in from close range, much to the delight of their supporters, making the score 2-1. Di Stefano's hold on the game started to look at risk with Baresi growing in confidence.
In the 18th minute, Di Stefano made their first substitution, bringing on Oliver M for Charlie C. Shortly after, in the 25th minute, Jack W replaced Khutso D, as the team looked to maintain their momentum. A crucial save by goalkeeper Tony B followed in the 29th minute, where he demonstrated agility with a full-stretch save to deny the Baresi attackers.
As the match approached the half-time mark, Di Stefano made another tactical change, substituting John D for Jacob M in the 30th minute. The first half concluded with a penalty awarded to Di Stefano in the 33rd minute, which was confidently converted by Alex Y, further extending their lead to 3-1.
The half-time whistle blew at 35 minutes, with Di Stefano firmly in control. The second half began with immediate action, as Stan scored a quick goal by punching on a defensive error. Almost immediately after that Max D scored the goal of the game with a screamer after being played through by Oliver M perfectly, Max then turned inside and bent a great shot over the keeper and into the far corner. 5-1
Max doubled his numbers quickly scoring a header from a corner delivered by Oliver M just five minutes after the restart, making it 6-1.
Jack T continued to shine, netting his third goal of the match in the 48th minute, showcasing his clinical finishing inside the box. This rounded off the scoring for the day and Jack T then came off the a standing ovation. 7-1
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 7-1 victory for MSB Woolton U16 Di Stefano, a performance highlighted by Jack T's hat-trick, earning him the Player of the Match accolade. The result not only reflects the skill and teamwork of Di Stefano but also sets a strong precedent for the remainder of the league season.
