In a thrilling league encounter at Eldorado Park Extension 6 on 1 February 2025, The Boys FC secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Ipswich FC. The match kicked off at 3:00pm, with a modest attendance of 50 fans witnessing an impressive display from the home side.
The Boys FC lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Kashwin Obermeyer took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Kyle Ruiters on the right, Ridwaan Rubidge and Alanzo McKenzie in central defence, and Reese Mathee on the left. The midfield trio featured Nazeem Ely on the right, Neillan Abrahams centrally, and Tyrique Koeries on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forwards. Up front, Nathaniel Ferguson operated on the right wing, Riaz Rubidge led the line as the striker, and Jaden Gentle occupied the left forward position. The substitutes for the match included Leevin Zacheus, Suhail De Koker, Le-jaun Van Schoor, Denzel Russell, and Warren Meyers.
The Boys FC wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with Jaden Gentle opening the scoring just one minute into the match. A well-timed assist from Tyrique Koeries allowed Gentle to tap in from close range, sending the home crowd into raptures. The early goal set the tone for a blistering start, and just six minutes later, Riaz Rubidge doubled the lead, again benefiting from a close-range tap-in, this time assisted by Ridwaan Rubidge.
The relentless pressure from The Boys FC continued, and in the 11th minute, Nathaniel Ferguson added a third goal, once more tapping in from close range after another assist from Ridwaan Rubidge. With a commanding 3-0 lead, The Boys FC looked in complete control, showcasing their attacking prowess and cohesive play.
Ipswich FC managed to pull one back in the 42nd minute, scoring their only goal of the match, but it did little to dampen the spirits of The Boys FC, who went into half-time with a comfortable 3-1 advantage.
As the second half commenced, The Boys FC made a tactical substitution, bringing on Leevin Zacheus for Jaden Gentle at the start of the half. The match continued with intensity, but it was not until the 57th minute that the referee, Phil, issued a yellow card to Neillan Abrahams for a late challenge, a moment that highlighted the increasing physicality of the game.
In the 60th minute, The Boys FC made further changes, introducing Suhail De Koker for Riaz Rubidge and Le-jaun Van Schoor for Tyrique Koeries, aiming to maintain their momentum and control in midfield. The substitutions appeared to have a positive effect, as The Boys FC continued to dictate play.
As the match approached its final stages, The Boys FC made two more substitutions in the 80th minute, with Denzel Russell replacing Nazeem Ely and Warren Meyers coming on for Nathaniel Ferguson. These changes were aimed at freshening up the side and ensuring they maintained their lead.
Despite Ipswich FC's attempts to mount a comeback, The Boys FC held firm, showcasing their defensive resilience and tactical discipline. The match concluded with a 3-1 victory for The Boys FC, a result that highlighted their attacking capabilities and solidified their position in the league.
Ridwaan Rubidge was undoubtedly the standout performer, contributing significantly to both the defensive efforts and the attacking play, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match. The Boys FC will take great confidence from this performance as they look to build on their success in the coming fixtures.
