In a thrilling encounter at the West Woodlands Showground on 1st December 2024, Witham Friary U13 faced Bath Arsenal Youth U13 Pumas in a league match that ended in a narrow defeat for the home side, with a final score of 3-4. The match showcased a rollercoaster of emotions as both teams battled fiercely for supremacy on a pitch which was very difficult to play any football on.
Witham Friary adopted a 3-1-4-2 formation, aiming to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Finlay Patrick stood guard in goal, while a three-man defence comprised Dempsey Matthews on the right, Jahmiah Harding in the centre, and Matthew Lyons on the left. Max Norris played a role as the lone defensive midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. The forward line featured Oscar Contini and Cristiano Do Amaral Vanzil as the two strikers, supported by a quartet of attacking midfielders: Ethan Oatley on the right, Leo Griffin in the centre, Zak Daniels on the left, and Archie Hansford also on the left. The substitutes for the match included Sullivan Collis and Seth Taylor and Issac Gainger.
The match began with both sides eager to assert themselves, and it was Witham Friary who had the first notable attempt when Leo Griffin fired high over the bar in the third minute. Just two minutes later, Oscar Contini followed suit but saw his effort drift wide of the target. However, Bath Arsenal struck first in the ninth minute, taking the lead with a goal from inside the box that caught the Witham defence off guard.
Witham responded positively, and in the 24th minute, Oscar Contini levelled the score with a well-placed shot from inside the box, assisted by a short pass from Cristiano Do Amaral Vanzil. The home side's joy was short-lived, as Bath Arsenal quickly regained the lead with another goal in the 28th minute, putting them ahead 2-1. Yet, the resilient Witham side found an equaliser again in the 32nd minute, as Contini netted his second goal, this time receiving an assist from Archie Hansford, scoring from close range with his right foot.
As the first half drew to a close, both teams continued to press for more goals, but the score remained level at 2-2 when the referee signalled half-time. The second half saw immediate changes for Witham, with Sullivan Collis coming on for Ethan Oatley shortly after the break. Bath Arsenal quickly took the initiative again, scoring in the 56th minute to make it 3-2, just moments before Witham's fortunes took a turn for the better.
In the 57th minute, an own goal from a Bath Arsenal player, assisted by Sullivan Collis, brought Witham back on level terms at 3-3. However, the Pumas were not to be denied, as they struck again in the 61st minute, taking a 4-3 lead that would prove decisive. Witham continued to push forward, with Zak Daniels attempting a shot that went high in the 65th minute.
Finlay Patrick was called into action, making a full-stretch save in the 66th minute, demonstrating his agility and determination to keep his team in the game. He followed this up with a confident catch in the 68th minute, but Witham's attacking efforts fell short as Cristiano Do Amaral Vanzil's attempt in the 69th minute went wide.
Despite their best efforts, Witham Friary could not find the equaliser they desperately sought, and the match ended with Bath Arsenal Youth U13 Pumas emerging victorious with a 4-3 scoreline. The encounter was a testament to the competitive spirit of youth football, with both teams displaying skill, determination, and a hunger for victory.
