In a commanding display at King George Playing Fields on 15 December 2024, the Stevenage Borough Juniors U16 Giants secured a 2-0 victory against Ware FC Academy U16 Blue in a league home match. The match kicked off at 12:00pm and saw the Giants dominate proceedings, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation.
The Giants lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, which allowed them to maintain a strong presence in both defence and attack. Saba Rajaloo took his place in goal, while Reegan Spencer anchored the central defence, flanked by Trystan Acebuque on the right and Joel Adeniyi on the left. The midfield was composed of George Hallam on the right, Archie Briars and Adrian Ciosek in central roles, and Jack Kenward on the left. Up front, the attacking trio featured Charlie Dempster on the right, Masireh Sidibeh as the central striker, and Khaya Ngwenya on the left. This formation was designed to exploit the width of the pitch while ensuring a solid defensive base.
The substitutes for the match included Michael Sarpong and Ally Ashter, who were poised to make an impact should the need arise.
The match began with an early attempt from George Hallam, whose effort in the third minute was saved, setting the tone for an aggressive start from the Giants. Just moments later, Hallam turned provider, assisting Jack Kenward, who found the back of the net with a left-footed shot from inside the box, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead.
As the first half progressed, Masireh Sidibeh had a chance to double the lead, but his shot in the 25th minute was also saved. The Giants continued to press, with Archie Briars and Khaya Ngwenya both sending efforts high over the bar in quick succession, demonstrating their attacking intent. Adrian Ciosek joined the fray with a long-range attempt in the 39th minute, but it too failed to find the target.
The first half concluded with the Giants leading 1-0, having created several opportunities while maintaining a solid defensive structure.
The Giants made a tactical substitution, bringing on Michael Sarpong for Charlie Dempster.
The second half commenced with Saba Rajaloo showcasing his goalkeeping skills, making a catch in the 42nd minute to maintain his clean sheet. George Hallam, who had been lively throughout, had another attempt saved in the 60th minute before being substituted for Ally Ashter in the 61st minute.
As the match entered its final stages, Archie Briars made his mark by scoring a stunning long-range goal in the 76th minute, striking with his right foot from outside the box to extend the Giants' lead to 2-0. Briars continued to threaten, hitting the post just a minute later, but the score remained unchanged.
In a moment of frustration for Ware FC, a player received a red card in the 78th minute for dissent, further compounding their difficulties as the match drew to a close. The Giants held firm, ensuring a comfortable victory and a clean sheet, solidifying their position in the league standings.
