In a thrilling league encounter at Priory Fields on 23 November 2024, Whitegrove and Warfield FC U15 BEES showcased their attacking prowess, defeating Berks County U15 T-Rexes with a resounding scoreline of 8-3. The match kicked off at 9am, and the home side's dominance was evident from the outset.
The BEES lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Luke Turner-Howe stationed in goal. The defensive line comprised Harrison Teague and Henry Abell as right and left defenders respectively, flanking central defenders Harry Fennell and Aiden Versluys. In midfield, Leo Munnery and Oliver Lewendon operated on the right and left flanks, while Oliver Hobden and Louis Matthews controlled the central areas. Up front, Harry Munnery and Matthew Joly-Panayiotou formed a dynamic forward partnership, expected to exploit any defensive lapses from the T-Rexes. The substitutes for the match included Henry Hanaphy, Toby Flanagan, Reece Cowling, Phoenix Slater, and Alex Mancey.
The BEES opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Leo Munnery tapped in a well-placed cross from Oliver Hobden, sending the home crowd into raptures. Just three minutes later, Oliver Lewendon doubled the lead by converting a penalty, awarded after a foul in the box, showcasing his composure under pressure.
Following a flurry of substitutions in the 21st minute, with Henry Hanaphy, Toby Flanagan, Reece Cowling, and Phoenix Slater entering the fray, the BEES continued to press. Louis Matthews made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute, finishing off a long pass from Harrison Teague inside the box. The relentless attack continued as Matthew Joly-Panayiotou scored a stunning long-range strike in the 26th minute, assisted by Phoenix Slater, further extending the lead.
Louis Matthews was not done yet; he netted his second goal of the match in the 30th minute, converting a short pass from Henry Hanaphy after he went round 4 players. Just four minutes later, Matthews completed his hat-trick with a lob from long range, assisted by Slater, leaving the T-Rexes reeling at 5-0.
Matthew Joly-Panayiotou added to the tally in the 38th minute, scoring with another long pass from Toby Flanagan, making it 6-0 before the half-time whistle blew at the 40-minute mark.
After the break, Berks County managed to find the net in the 54th minute, scoring their first goal of the match, but the BEES quickly responded. Harry Munnery scored in the 67th minute, finishing a short pass from Louis Matthews to restore the six-goal cushion.
The T-Rexes struck again in the 70th minute with a long-range effort, followed by an unfortunate own goal from the BEES in the 72nd minute, credited to Henry Abell, which brought the score to 8-3. Despite the late flurry from Berks County, the BEES maintained control and secured a comprehensive victory.
The match concluded with Whitegrove and Warfield FC U15 BEES firmly establishing their dominance in the league, with Luke Turner-Howe earning the Player of the Match accolade for his solid performance in goal.
