In a commanding display of football, Reddish Villarettes secured an emphatic 8-0 victory over Saddleworth FC U11 Storm in their league home match at the Belle Vue Sports Village Stadium on 19 October 2024. The match kicked off at 10:15 am, and the Villarettes showcased their attacking prowess throughout the encounter, leaving their opponents struggling to keep pace.
Reddish Villarettes adopted a 3-1-3-1 formation, which allowed them to dominate both the midfield and attacking phases of the game. Matilda Ball was stationed in goal, providing a solid last line of defence. In front of her, Cleo Prince, Ava-May Walsh, and Megan Steedman formed a resolute back three, tasked with stifling any potential threats from the opposition. Jedidah Prempeh played a crucial role as the central midfielder, orchestrating play and linking defence with attack. The attacking midfield trio consisted of Anya Butler on the right, Ava Fawcett in the centre, and Emilia Rolfe on the left, all expected to create scoring opportunities for the lone striker, Katie Smith.
The substitutes for the match included Ashleigh Thorp and Maisie Fannon, who would later make their impact felt on the pitch.
The scoring opened early in the match when Ava Fawcett found the back of the net just three minutes in, assisted by Ava-May Walsh. This early goal set the tone for the Villarettes, who continued to press forward. Five minutes later, Emilia Rolfe doubled the lead with a well-placed shot, courtesy of an assist from Maisie Fannon, making it 2-0 by the eighth minute.
As the Villarettes maintained their momentum, Anya Butler added a third goal in the 16th minute, with Fawcett providing the assist. The relentless pressure from Reddish Villarettes forced a substitution in the 25th minute, with Katie Smith making way for Ashleigh Thorp, while Maisie Fannon replaced Anya Butler shortly after.
The substitutions did not disrupt the flow of the game, as Jedidah Prempeh scored the fourth goal in the 28th minute, assisted by Thorp, further extending the lead. With the half-time whistle approaching, Reddish Villarettes went into the break with a commanding 4-0 advantage.
The second half saw no let-up in intensity from the Villarettes. Emilia Rolfe struck again in the 34th minute, with Anya Butler providing the assist, bringing the score to 5-0. Just six minutes later, Butler herself scored, with Fawcett assisting, making it 6-0 and showcasing the team's fluid attacking play.
Ava Fawcett then added her second goal of the match in the 42nd minute, with Maisie Fannon playing a pivotal role in the build-up. The scoring was capped off shortly after, as Fawcett completed her hat-trick in the 46th minute, once again assisted by Ava-May Walsh, bringing the final score to an astonishing 8-0.
The Villarettes' performance was a testament to their teamwork and skill, with standout displays from Anya Butler and Ava Fawcett, both of whom were instrumental in the victory. The match not only highlighted their attacking capabilities but also showcased their defensive solidity, leaving Saddleworth FC U11 Storm with little room to manoeuvre.
