In a captivating friendly encounter at the Forest Sports Zone on 3rd December 2024, Sherwood Arrows FC and Selston F.C. Youth U8 Blue played out a dramatic 5-5 draw. The match, which kicked off at 5:00pm, showcased an exhilarating display of attacking football from both sides, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Sherwood Arrows adopted a 2-3-1 formation, with Oliver Sanderson stationed in goal. The defensive duo of Carter Wakefield and Dylan Smith formed a solid central defence, tasked with thwarting the opposition's attacks. Ahead of them, Henry Newton and Olly Walker-Brown operated as right and left midfielders respectively, providing width and support to the central midfielder, Lucas Gallagher. Thai Smith-Hall led the line as the lone striker, expected to capitalise on any chances created by his teammates.
The substitutes for Sherwood Arrows included Mickey Bruce, who would later be introduced to add fresh legs to the midfield.
The match began with Selston F.C. Youth U8 Blue taking an early lead, capitalising on a defensive mistake by Sherwood Arrows in the 8th minute. The visitors doubled their advantage just three minutes later, scoring from inside the box to leave the home side trailing 2-0.
However, Sherwood Arrows responded positively, and in the 15th minute, Thai Smith-Hall found the net following a goalmouth scramble, with Henry Newton providing the assist. This goal ignited a spark in the Arrows, but their joy was short-lived as Selston struck again in the 18th minute with a stunning long-range effort, restoring their two-goal cushion.
In a tactical switch, Mickey Bruce replaced Olly Walker-Brown, while Henry Newton came on for goalkeeper Oliver Sanderson as the first half drew to a close. The half-time whistle blew with the score at 3-1 in favour of Selston.
The second half saw a remarkable turnaround for Sherwood Arrows. Just two minutes after the restart, Oliver Sanderson, now playing outfield, scored from another goalmouth scramble, assisted by Thai Smith-Hall, narrowing the deficit to 3-2.
Carter Wakefield then took centre stage, scoring a sensational long-range strike in the 25th minute to level the match at 3-3. The momentum shifted further in favour of the Arrows when Wakefield found the net again in the 30th minute, this time from outside the area, with Lucas Gallagher providing the assist, putting Sherwood ahead for the first time at 4-3.
However, Selston were not to be outdone and quickly equalised in the 33rd minute, before taking the lead again just two minutes later, making it 5-4. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams displaying resilience and determination.
As the clock ticked down, Carter Wakefield completed his hat-trick in the 39th minute, scoring from yet another goalmouth scramble, assisted by Thai Smith-Hall, ensuring that the match ended in a thrilling 5-5 draw.
This friendly encounter not only showcased the attacking prowess of both teams but also highlighted the importance of teamwork and perseverance in youth football. Both sides can take pride in their performances, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
