Bury Town Wolves U11 hosted Ipswich Valley Rangers F.C. U11 at their home ground on the morning of 5th October 2025, with kick-off at 9:00am. In a thrilling 9-a-side league encounter lasting 60 minutes plus added time, the Wolves fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, losing 5-4 in a closely contested match.
Bury Town Wolves lined up in a 3-4-1 formation, deploying three defenders at the back: Bryce Eby on the right, Freddie Harrison centrally, and Bailey Messenger on the left. The midfield quartet consisted of Micheal Morrison on the right wing, Jacob Hewitt and Max Clark occupying central midfield roles, and Leo Chowles on the left. Leading the line was striker Frankie Viccars, supported by the midfielders pushing forward. Reece Moors guarded the goal as goalkeeper. The formation was designed to provide defensive solidity with three at the back while utilising width and creativity through the midfield four, with the lone striker expected to capitalise on chances created. Bryan Isokpehi was named as the substitute.
From the outset, the Wolves showed intent, with Leo Chowles making an early interception in the first minute to halt an Ipswich Valley attack. Just moments later, in the second minute, the Wolves took the lead as Leo Chowles expertly finished inside the box, following a precise long pass from Micheal Morrison. Reece Moors was immediately called into action, making a confident catch to deny the visitors a swift response.
The early exchanges were frenetic, with Morrison delivering a long pass that set the tone for Wolves’ attacking play. Max Clark and Leo Chowles were instrumental defensively, both making interceptions in the third minute, while Bailey Messenger executed a crucial tackle to break up Ipswich Valley’s advances. Clark also cleared danger effectively, helping to maintain the Wolves’ early advantage.
Ipswich Valley Rangers responded quickly, levelling the score in the fourth minute. Despite this, Bury Town Wolves continued to press, with Max Clark and Micheal Morrison both providing flicked key passes to unlock the opposition’s defence. Leo Chowles remained a defensive stalwart, making a vital tackle in the fifth minute, supported by Freddie Harrison’s block and Moors’ safe catch to keep the scoreline level.
Freddie Harrison’s long pass in the fifth minute helped transition play forward, although Morrison’s attempt shortly after went wide. The Wolves’ midfield battled hard, with Jacob Hewitt making successive tackles in the seventh minute, alongside Harrison’s defensive efforts. Leo Chowles then delivered a long pass in the eighth minute, setting up a second goal for himself inside the box, assisted by Frankie Viccars, restoring the Wolves’ lead.
Defensive resilience was evident as Bryce Eby, Bailey Messenger, Max Clark, and Leo Chowles combined to intercept and tackle repeatedly in the ninth and tenth minutes. Moors remained alert, catching crosses and shots, while Clark and Eby continued to thwart Ipswich Valley’s attempts to equalise.
In the eleventh minute, Morrison’s flicked pass created opportunities, and Leo Chowles scored again inside the box in the twelfth minute, extending the Wolves’ advantage. He also made an interception and attempted a shot that went wide shortly after. Frankie Viccars contributed with a long pass, while Bailey Messenger and Freddie Harrison maintained defensive solidity through interceptions and tackles.
The Wolves’ defensive unit, including Harrison and Messenger, continued to repel Ipswich Valley’s pressure through the early stages of the second quarter of the match. Moors made several crucial saves and parries between the thirteenth and sixteenth minutes, keeping the Wolves in front. However, Ipswich Valley managed to pull one back in the seventeenth minute, narrowing the gap.
Bryan Isokpehi was introduced as a substitute for Bailey Messenger in the fifteenth minute, adding fresh legs to the defence. Isokpehi quickly made his presence felt with interceptions and tackles, while Morrison continued to supply long passes and flicks to the attacking line. Despite some wide and high attempts from Morrison and Isokpehi, the Wolves struggled to extend their lead.
The defensive battle intensified with Jacob Hewitt, Bryce Eby, Freddie Harrison, and Max Clark all making key tackles and interceptions between the seventeenth and twenty-first minutes. Moors remained a commanding figure in goal, parrying and catching several attempts to keep the Wolves competitive.
Ipswich Valley Rangers struck again in the thirty-seventh minute, capitalising on sustained pressure. Moors responded with a parry and catch soon after, while the Wolves’ defenders Harrison, Messenger, Clark, and Hewitt worked tirelessly to clear danger and intercept passes.
A further goal from Ipswich Valley in the forty-third minute prompted a tactical substitution, with Leo Chowles returning to the field in place of Micheal Morrison. The Wolves’ midfield and defence continued to battle hard, with multiple tackles and interceptions from Hewitt, Harrison, Clark, and Eby in the closing stages of the first half.
Just before half-time, the Wolves maintained their attacking threat, with Morrison flicking passes and the defence holding firm. The half ended with the scoreline reflecting a tight contest, Ipswich Valley leading narrowly.
The second half saw Moors intercept a dangerous ball early on, while Isokpehi contributed with flicked passes and defensive interventions. Harrison and Messenger continued to disrupt Ipswich Valley’s rhythm, and the Wolves’ midfield worked hard to regain control.
In the forty-seventh minute, Leo Chowles scored his fourth goal of the match inside the box, assisted once again by Frankie Viccars, bringing the Wolves back into contention. The defence remained resolute with Eby, Harrison, and Messenger all making interceptions and blocks to stem the visitors’ attacks.
Ipswich Valley responded with a goal in the fiftieth minute, maintaining their slender lead. The Wolves made a substitution at the fifty-first minute, with Micheal Morrison replacing Frankie Viccars to bolster the midfield and attack.
The closing stages were marked by intense defensive work from Hewitt, Harrison, Clark, and Eby, with Moors making several vital saves and parries to keep the Wolves in the game. Morrison and Isokpehi continued to create chances, with Morrison’s long passes and flicks testing the Ipswich Valley defence.
Despite a late attempt from Leo Chowles being saved in the fifty-seventh minute, and numerous clearances and interceptions from the Wolves’ backline, Ipswich Valley Rangers held firm to secure a 5-4 victory.
Bury Town Wolves U11 produced a spirited performance with Leo Chowles standing out as a key figure both in attack and defence. The Wolves showed great resilience and attacking intent but were ultimately edged out by a determined Ipswich Valley Rangers side in a pulsating league encounter.
