In a tightly contested league encounter at New College Swindon on 13 October 2024, Trowbridge Town U14s edged past Draycott FC U14 Scorchers with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match kicked off at 1:30pm and showcased a blend of tactical discipline and individual flair, culminating in a hard-fought win for the visitors.
Trowbridge Town adopted a 3-1-4-2 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while providing ample support for their attacking players. Henri Turner took his place in goal, shielded by a back three consisting of Charlie Amor in central defence, flanked by Leo Shepherd on the right and Josh Bailey on the left. Dan Jackman operated as a central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. The midfield was bolstered by Roman Snow on the right, Alfie Nyarko & Ollie Curtis in central roles, and Josh Dines on the left, while Jake Wells and Leon Jones formed the forward partnership, looking to exploit any gaps in the Draycott defence.
The substitutes for Trowbridge included Austin Cooper and Ruben Reeves, who would later be called upon to influence the match from the bench.
The match began with Trowbridge immediately asserting their attacking intent. Just two minutes in, Josh Dines tested the Draycott goalkeeper with a shot that was saved, signalling Trowbridge's early dominance. Dines was at it again in the 11th minute, but his second attempt also failed to find the back of the net as it was saved once more.
The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Dan Jackman scored with a powerful header, expertly assisted by Josh Dines. This goal not only lifted the spirits of the Trowbridge players but also set the tone for the remainder of the first half.
In a tactical move shortly after the goal, Trowbridge made two substitutions in the 19th minute, bringing on Austin Cooper for Leon Jones and Ruben Reeves for Ollie Curtis. These changes aimed to inject fresh energy into the side while maintaining their lead.
As the first half progressed, Josh Dines continued to be a thorn in Draycott's side, but his effort in the 27th minute went high, missing the target. Josh Dines saw his finish harshly ruled offside after some brilliant play. The half drew to a close with further attempts from Roman Snow and Leon Jones, both of which were saved, ensuring Trowbridge went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead.
The second half commenced with Trowbridge making a substitution in the 47th minute, introducing Alfie Nyarko back into the fray, replacing Dan Jackman due to injury. The visitors continued to press for a second goal, and in the 52nd minute, Dines had yet another shot saved, demonstrating his relentless pursuit of adding to the scoreline.
In the 58th minute, Trowbridge made further adjustments, with Roman Snow coming on for Leo Shepherd and Dan Jackman returning to the pitch in place of Josh Dines. Just a minute later, Josh Dines re-entered the game, replacing Josh Bailey due to injury showcasing the tactical flexibility of Trowbridge's management.
As the match wore on, Jake Wells had a chance to extend the lead in the 68th minute, but his effort went high, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
Despite Draycott's attempts to find an equaliser, Trowbridge's defence held firm, and the match concluded with a 1-0 victory for Trowbridge Town U14s. This result not only reflects the team's resilience but also their ability to execute their game plan effectively against a determined Draycott side.
