In a commanding display of youthful exuberance and footballing prowess, Stevenage Borough Juniors U16 Giants ran riot against Bedwell Rangers Albion in a friendly encounter held at Barnwell Upper School on the evening of 20 August 2024. The home side overwhelmed their opponents with a decisive 7-1 scoreline, showcasing their attacking flair and teamwork as they prepared for the competitive season ahead.
Right from kick-off, the Giants displayed their intent, dominating possession and pressing high up the pitch. Their first significant chance came courtesy of Charlie Dempster, who, after a deft build-up, saw his attempt go wide as he aimed to put the Giants ahead early. Not to be outdone, Khaya Ngwenya also tried his luck shortly after but could not find the target, as the Rangers’ defence struggled to cope with the home side's relentless pressure.
Despite their promising start, the Giants faced an unexpected setback just past the tenth minute when Bedwell Rangers Albion found the back of the net, taking a shock lead. The Giants, however, showcased remarkable resilience and quickly rallied to not only equalise but to take control of the match.
Masireh Sidibeh was instrumental in the turnaround, contributing significantly to the Giants’ attacking play. He assisted Dempster for their first goal, which was neatly slotted home from inside the box, levelling the score and igniting the home crowd's enthusiasm. The floodgates then opened as Dempster struck again, this time capitalising on a scramble in the goal area and positioning himself perfectly to fire in another goal, putting the Giants firmly in the driving seat.
The Giants’ attacking line proved too much for the Rangers to handle, with Dempster proving a constant threat. He was denied only by the woodwork on one occasion, hitting the post with a powerful effort that rattled the visitors’ confidence. Nevertheless, Dempster continued to torment the opposition and completed a well-deserved hat-trick with a clinical finish from inside the penalty area after a clever flick from Adrian Ciosek.
As the match progressed, the Giants’ attackers exhibited an impressive understanding of one another, evidenced by more flowing moves and precise passing. This relentless offensive display was further highlighted when both Adrian Ciosek and Dempster combined effectively to increase the tally to six. Ciosek's contribution was notable not only for his goal but also for the individual skill and vision displayed throughout the match.
With time running out, the Giants continued their onslaught, and Joseph, coming on as a substitute, added his name to the scoresheet with a superb shot from distance that nestled into the top corner. The Rangers managed a consolation goal but it was clear that the evening belonged to the Giants, who had demonstrated their potential for the upcoming season with such a comprehensive victory.
This friendly encounter served as an excellent opportunity for the Giants to fine-tune their tactics and build confidence ahead of more competitive fixtures. The attacking verve and teamwork displayed will surely set the tone for the rest of their campaign, as they look to build on this emphatic win. Football is often a game of momentum, and if the Giants can maintain this level of performance, they will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in their league.
