In a gripping cup encounter at King George Playing Fields on 16 March 2025, the Stevenage Borough Juniors U16 Giants faced off against Potters Bar Town U16 Scholars. The match, which kicked off at 10:00 am, ended in a narrow defeat for the Giants, who succumbed to a 3-2 loss after a fiercely contested battle.
The Giants lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Saba Rajaloo took his position in goal, shielded by a back three comprising Joseph Akhidenor on the right, C.J Meadows in the centre, and Joel Adeniyi on the left. The midfield was anchored by Archie Briars and Trystan Acebuque in central roles, with George Hallam and Jack Kenward providing width as right and left midfielders, respectively. Up front, Olufemi Ladapo and Khaya Ngwenya operated as right and left forwards, supporting the central striker, Michael Sarpong. The substitutes for the match included Adrian Ciosek, Reegan Spencer, Charlie Dempster, and Masireh Sidibeh.
The match began with a shocking start for the Giants, as Potters Bar Town struck early, scoring just one minute into the game. A well-placed left-footed shot from inside the box put the Scholars ahead, leaving the Giants to chase the game from the outset.
In an attempt to regain control, the Giants made a tactical substitution in the 10th minute, bringing on Adrian Ciosek for Olufemi Ladapo. Just two minutes later, another change saw Reegan Spencer replace Michael Sarpong, as the Giants sought to bolster their attacking options.
However, the early pressure took its toll, and Joseph Akhidenor received a yellow card for violent conduct in the 15th minute, further complicating the Giants' efforts. Despite this setback, goalkeeper Saba Rajaloo showcased his skills with a crucial dive at the feet of an opponent in the 23rd minute, keeping the scoreline manageable.
The Giants continued to push forward, and in the 27th minute, Charlie Dempster entered the fray, replacing Reegan Spencer. Adrian Ciosek then had two attempts on goal, the first sailing high in the 29th minute, followed by a saved effort just two minutes later. George Hallam also tested the Scholars' goalkeeper with a shot that was saved in the 32nd minute.
In a tactical switch, Olufemi Ladapo returned to the pitch in the 33rd minute, replacing George Hallam. The change paid off when, in the 37th minute, Ladapo found the net with a right-footed strike, assisted by a clever flick from Ciosek, bringing the Giants level at 1-1.
As the first half drew to a close, Jack Kenward had a chance to put the Giants ahead but shot wide in the 38th minute. The half-time whistle blew shortly after, with the score tied at 1-1.
The second half began with a substitution for the Giants, as Masireh Sidibeh replaced Adrian Ciosek due to injury just after the break. Sidibeh made an immediate impact, attempting a shot that was saved in the 45th minute. However, the Giants' fortunes took a turn for the worse when Jack Kenward committed a foul in the 51st minute, conceding a penalty. Archie Briars stepped up to take the spot-kick, converting it with a right-footed shot to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.
The joy was short-lived, as just a minute later, Masireh Sidibeh was penalised for another trip, resulting in a second penalty for Potters Bar Town. The Scholars capitalised on this opportunity, scoring to level the match at 2-2 in the 53rd minute.
Saba Rajaloo continued to demonstrate his goalkeeping prowess, making a catch in the 55th minute to keep the game level. The Giants made another tactical change in the 57th minute, bringing Khaya Ngwenya back on for Olufemi Ladapo.
However, the Scholars regained the lead in the 61st minute with a close-range goal, making it 3-2. The Giants responded with a substitution in the 62nd minute, as C.J Meadows replaced the injured Archie Briars.
Despite efforts from Charlie Dempster and Masireh Sidibeh, who both had attempts that went wide or high, the Giants struggled to find an equaliser. In the 68th minute, George Hallam returned to the pitch, replacing Michael Sarpong, as the Giants pushed for a late comeback.
As the match approached its conclusion, Jack Kenward had another opportunity saved in the 71st minute, but the Giants could not find the back of the net again. In the 74th minute, Potters Bar Town sealed their victory with a third goal, leaving the Giants with little time to respond.
The final whistle blew, confirming a hard-fought 3-2 victory for Potters Bar Town, leaving the Stevenage Borough Juniors U16 Giants to reflect on a match filled with drama, missed opportunities, and a valiant effort that ultimately fell short.
