Billing United U15 hosted Bilton Ajax U15 Whites at Rectory Farm Open Space on 21 September 2025, with kick-off at 2:00pm in a league fixture. The 80-minute contest ended in a 4-2 defeat for the home side, despite a spirited display and two well-taken goals.
Billing United lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, deploying three defenders at the back: Oscar Rayner on the right, Ethan Sharp centrally, and Ethan Hunt on the left. The midfield was packed with five players, featuring David Ispas on the right wing, Malaki Worrell, Leo Rigby, and Jacob Ranft occupying central midfield roles, and Eddie Viscu on the left. Up front, the strike partnership consisted of Tiyan Bansil on the right and Zip Scrivener on the left. Daniel Juhasz guarded the goal. The substitutes available were Sonny Manikiza, Joel Poku, and Harry Wootton.
The 3-5-2 setup was intended to provide balance between defensive solidity and midfield control, with the wing midfielders expected to support both defence and attack, while the central midfield trio aimed to dictate play and supply the forwards. The two strikers were tasked with pressing the opposition defence and converting chances.
The match began with Bilton Ajax taking an early lead in the 9th minute through a header, putting Billing United on the back foot. Daniel Juhasz was called into action soon after, making a crucial save in the 12th minute to keep his side in the game. The first substitution came in the 14th minute when Sonny Manikiza replaced Oscar Rayner at right defender, a tactical move that was soon reversed at the 21st minute mark when Oscar Rayner returned to the pitch, this time taking over from right midfielder David Ispas.
Juhasz continued to impress with another important save in the 26th minute, denying Bilton Ajax further advantage. However, the visitors doubled their lead in the 31st minute, capitalising on a defensive mistake from Billing United to score from close range with a right-footed finish. Billing United responded with a moment of quality in the 39th minute when Leo Rigby struck a direct free-kick from long range with his right foot, halving the deficit just before the interval.
The first half concluded with Bilton Ajax leading 2-1. Early in the second half, Billing United’s forwards pressed hard, with Zip Scrivener forcing two saves in quick succession at the 42nd and 43rd minutes, demonstrating his threat in attack. Despite these efforts, the visitors extended their lead in the 68th minute, again exploiting a defensive lapse to score from close range.
The game took a further turn in the 71st minute when Leo Rigby conceded a penalty after a trip, which Bilton Ajax converted to make it 4-1. At the same time, Billing United made a double substitution: Joel Poku came on for Tiyan Bansil and Harry Wootton replaced Sonny Manikiza. Joel Poku had a chance to reduce the arrears in the 76th minute but his effort went wide, as did Zip Scrivener’s attempt in the 63rd minute and a high shot from Leo Rigby at 65 minutes.
Billing United did manage to find a second goal in the 81st minute when Zip Scrivener tapped in a close-range finish, assisted by a short pass from Eddie Viscu, who was a constant threat down the left flank throughout the match and deservedly named player of the match.
Despite their late rally, Billing United were unable to overturn the deficit, and the match ended 4-2 in favour of Bilton Ajax U15 Whites. The home side showed resilience and attacking intent but were ultimately undone by defensive errors and clinical finishing from their opponents.
