In a commanding display, Westminster City FC (MvF 11's) triumphed over Strood MvF 11's with a resounding 4-0 victory in their cup away match held at Magpie Hall Road on 6th October 2024. The match kicked off at 11:30 am, and Westminster's performance was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation.
Westminster City lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, a tactical setup designed to provide both defensive stability and attacking flexibility. Alfie Mcguire took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Ben Palmer on the right, Nathan Sobers and Ahmed El-Zein in central defence, and Anthony Laria on the left. The midfield was anchored by Gareth Murphy and George House in central roles, flanked by Chris Kemp on the right and Ben Smithers on the left. Vuk Pivasevic operated just behind the lone striker, Sean Lutkin, who was tasked with leading the line and converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for Westminster City were not listed, but the starting eleven was more than capable of delivering a strong performance.
The match began with an electric start from Westminster, and it didn't take long for them to find the back of the net. Just seven minutes in, Sean Lutkin opened the scoring with a charge down after a goal kick that was taken short inside the box, sending a clear message to Strood that they were in for a challenging afternoon.
Lutkin was not done yet; five minutes later, he doubled the lead, this time with an assist from Gareth Murphy. The striker's clinical finishing was on full display, as he capitalised on a well-timed pass to slot the ball home, putting Westminster firmly in control at 2-0.
As the first half progressed, Strood struggled to find their rhythm, with Westminster's defence holding firm against any attempts to break through. The half concluded with the scoreline unchanged, and Westminster went into the break with a comfortable two-goal cushion.
The second half saw Westminster continue their dominance, and it was George House who added to the tally in the 56th minute. Following a ricochet assist from Vuk Pivasevic, House unleashed a powerful, well placed, arching strike from outside the area, leaving the Strood goalkeeper with no chance even with a diving attempt to get a hand to the ball. The score now stood at 3-0, and Westminster's confidence was palpable.
In the 70th minute, Lutkin completed his hat-trick, once again benefiting from Gareth Murphy's vision and passing ability. The striker's third goal further emphasised Westminster's attacking threat and left Strood reeling, now trailing 4-0.
As the match drew to a close, tensions flared, resulting in a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 85th minute. However, this did little to dampen Westminster's spirits, as they maintained their composure to see out the match.
In the end, Westminster City FC's performance was a testament to their skill and teamwork, as they secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Strood MvF 11's, advancing confidently in the cup competition.
