On 5th October 2025, Bowers & Pitsea U15 Whites hosted Canvey Island Youth U15 Reds at the Eversley Centre 3G pitch in an emphatic cup home match kick-off at 2:00pm. The Whites delivered a commanding performance, running out 13-0 winners in an 80-minute contest overseen by referee Kevin Thomas in front of 40 spectators.
Bowers & Pitsea lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, deploying Stanley Martin-Gardener in goal. The defensive trio consisted of Rhys Hughes at right defender, Marcus Stanbury centrally, and Sebastian Cenciu on the left. The midfield quartet featured Benjamine Smith on the right, Oliver Wakeling and Oliver Norton centrally, with Cory Jennings on the left. Up front, the attacking trio was Mattie Bristow on the right, Marvellous Nbubueze leading as striker, and Lewis Baber on the left. The substitutes available were Liam Stroud, Luca Cepoi, James Holgate, and Harry Fairchild.
This 3-4-3 setup was designed to provide defensive solidity through the back three while allowing the midfield four to control possession and supply the front three with ample service. The wide midfielders were expected to support both defence and attack, while the forwards aimed to exploit spaces and finish chances.
The match burst into life within two minutes when Mattie Bristow opened the scoring. Oliver Norton delivered a precise long pass into the box, which Bristow expertly finished with his right foot. Barely two minutes later, Marvellous Nbubueze doubled the lead with a composed finish inside the box using his left foot, setting the tone for a relentless attacking display.
At 15 minutes, Bristow was again on target, this time tapping in a close-range cross from Lewis Baber. The Whites’ fluid attacking play continued as Nbubueze scored his second at 19 minutes, converting a right-footed finish inside the box following a cross from Bristow. Shortly after this goal, the first substitution saw Liam Stroud replace Benjamine Smith on the right midfield.
The scoring spree continued at 26 minutes when Oliver Norton found the net from close range, finishing a corner delivered by Baber with his right foot. Five minutes later, Baber himself scored a tap-in from a close-range cross by Bristow, showcasing the effective interplay between the front three.
Nbubueze completed his hat-trick before half-time at 36 minutes, slotting home a left-footed finish inside the box after a short pass from Baber. The first half concluded at 40 minutes, with the Whites comfortably ahead. At the interval, Luca Cepoi came on for Cory Jennings, signalling fresh legs on the left midfield.
The second half saw no let-up in Bowers & Pitsea’s dominance. Just three minutes after the restart, Nbubueze scored his fourth goal, tapping in a close-range cross from Baber. At 55 minutes, James Holgate replaced left defender Sebastian Cenciu, maintaining defensive stability.
Bristow then showcased his individual skill with a solo goal at 56 minutes, finishing with his right foot. Nbubueze followed suit three minutes later with a solo effort of his own, netting with his right foot to extend the lead further. Both players were subsequently substituted at 60 minutes, with Harry Fairchild coming on for Nbubueze and Benjamine Smith returning to replace Baber.
At 62 minutes, Oliver Norton unleashed a spectacular screamer from outside the box with his right foot, adding to the growing tally. Four minutes later, Bristow scored again inside the box, assisted by a long pass from Stroud, demonstrating excellent vision and finishing.
Further substitutions saw Cory Jennings return for Bristow at 68 minutes and Sebastian Cenciu reintroduced for Oliver Wakeling at 70 minutes, ensuring fresh energy across the pitch.
The scoring continued unabated as Jennings scored at 71 minutes, tapping in a close-range finish from a cross delivered by Benjamine Smith. This goal rounded off a remarkable team performance that saw Bowers & Pitsea U15 Whites completely outclass Canvey Island Youth U15 Reds.
Marvellous Nbubueze was named player of the match for his outstanding contribution, netting five goals and consistently threatening the opposition defence. The Whites’ clinical finishing, combined with their tactical discipline and fluid attacking movement, ensured a comprehensive 13-0 victory in this cup fixture.
