In a commanding display, Solihull FC U18 secured a decisive 3-0 victory against Bartley Reds U18 North in a league away match held at Hadley Stadium on 6th October 2024. The match kicked off at 2:30 PM, showcasing the young talents of both teams on the 3G Pitch 1.
Solihull FC U18 lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, which allowed for a balanced approach between defence and attack. Jacob Lanni took his position as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back four consisting of Rome Pritchard on the right, Ben Hodgetts and Laurence Tranter in central defence, and Kasper Van Genderen on the left. The midfield trio featured Marcus Mattine on the right, Daniel Marshall centrally, and Shay Moran on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forwards. Up front, Jack Carter operated on the right wing, Lewis Satchwell led the line as the striker, and Keane Perryman occupied the left forward position, tasked with stretching the opposition defence and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
The substitutes for Solihull FC U18 included Max Cooper and Harvey Walters, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The first half saw an early yellow card issued in the 12th minute, setting a competitive tone for the match. Shortly after, in the 17th minute, Solihull made a double substitution, bringing on Max Cooper for Shay Moran and Harvey Walters for Jack Carter, indicating a tactical shift as they sought to maintain momentum.
As the half progressed, another yellow card was shown in the 27th minute, reflecting the intensity of the contest. In the 30th minute, Solihull made further changes, with Jack Carter returning to the pitch in place of Lewis Satchwell, while Shay Moran re-entered the game, replacing Daniel Marshall.
The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when Kasper Van Genderen scored a stunning direct free-kick, sending Solihull into the lead. The first half concluded with the score at 1-0, leaving Bartley Reds U18 North with much to ponder.
The second half commenced with renewed energy, and just four minutes in, Daniel Marshall doubled Solihull's advantage, scoring inside the box with an assist from Jack Carter. The momentum continued to build for Solihull, and in the 62nd minute, Daniel Marshall found the net again, this time with a goal assisted by goalkeeper Jacob Lanni, showcasing the team's attacking prowess.
As the match approached its final stages, Solihull made further substitutions in the 62nd minute, with Marcus Mattine and Keane Perryman coming on for Max Cooper and Harvey Walters, respectively. The game took a dramatic turn in the 81st minute when Jacob Lanni made a crucial penalty save, preserving the clean sheet and demonstrating his importance to the team.
In the closing minutes, Solihull made their final substitutions, with Shay Moran returning for Lewis Satchwell and Daniel Marshall coming back on for Marcus Mattine in the 86th minute. The match ended with Solihull FC U18 comfortably securing a 3-0 victory, a testament to their solid performance and tactical execution throughout the game.
