On 12 October 2025, Bury Town Wolves U11 welcomed Needham to their home ground for a 9-a-side league match, kicking off at 11:30am. The Wolves produced an emphatic performance, running out 6-1 winners after 60 minutes of action plus added time. From the outset, Bury Town Wolves asserted their dominance and rarely looked troubled by their visitors.
Bury Town Wolves lined up in a 3-4-1 formation, deploying three defenders at the back, four midfielders across the middle, and a lone striker leading the line. Reece Moors took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper. The defensive trio consisted of Bailey Messenger at right back, Freddie Harris - Moon centrally, and Archie Ward on the left. The midfield quartet featured Micheal Morrison on the right, Rocco Lombardo and Leo Chowles centrally, and George Austin on the left. Up front, Frankie Viccars spearheaded the attack. The formation was designed to provide defensive solidity with three at the back, while the midfield four aimed to control possession and supply the striker with chances. The substitutes named were Max Clark, Bryce Eby, and Bryan Isokpehi.
The match began with immediate defensive work from Rocco Lombardo, who made a crucial tackle in the first minute to halt Needham’s early threat. Moments later, Bailey Messenger intercepted a pass, helping to quell the visitors’ advances. Lombardo continued to impress with a clever flick key pass in the second minute, which quickly led to Bury Town’s opening goal. Frankie Viccars capitalised inside the box to put the Wolves ahead, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Defensive resilience was a hallmark of the opening exchanges. Freddie Harris - Moon was instrumental, intercepting and blocking multiple attempts, while George Austin and Micheal Morrison contributed with timely tackles and clearances. Lombardo’s vision was evident again with another flick pass in the fourth minute, linking the midfield and attack seamlessly. The Wolves’ defence remained resolute, with Archie Ward and Bailey Messenger making crucial interceptions and clearances to keep Needham at bay.
Leo Chowles emerged as a creative force in midfield, delivering successive flick passes around the five-minute mark that kept the visitors under pressure. The Wolves’ defensive line continued to hold firm, with Harris - Moon clearing danger and Messenger executing vital tackles. Frankie Viccars tested the opposition goalkeeper with a wide effort in the sixth minute, signalling the Wolves’ intent to extend their lead.
Bury Town’s defensive discipline was unwavering as Archie Ward and Rocco Lombardo combined to thwart Needham’s attempts. Harris - Moon’s header clearance and Messenger’s interceptions further frustrated the visitors. At the tenth minute, Leo Chowles again provided a flick pass that maintained the Wolves’ attacking momentum. Freddie Harris - Moon’s interception at the eleventh minute prevented a potential counterattack.
The Wolves doubled their advantage in the twelfth minute through George Austin, who found the net inside the box after a sustained period of pressure. The defence remained alert with multiple interceptions from Harris - Moon and Ward, while Messenger cleared danger at the thirteenth minute. Archie Ward’s long pass shortly after helped to transition play quickly.
Reece Moors was called into action at the fourteenth minute, making a confident catch to deny Needham. Leo Chowles continued to orchestrate play with another flick pass, while Morrison’s tackle at the fifteenth minute helped regain possession. Messenger’s persistent tackling and interceptions throughout this period ensured the Wolves maintained control.
Despite the Wolves’ dominance, Frankie Viccars’ attempt went wide in the seventeenth minute, and Harris - Moon intercepted once more to keep the defence intact. Messenger’s multiple interventions, including clearances and interceptions, were vital in stifling Needham’s attacks. Archie Ward’s interception at the eighteenth minute and Messenger’s headed clearance at the nineteenth minute further showcased the Wolves’ defensive strength.
Leo Chowles delivered another flick pass at the twentieth minute, setting up attacking opportunities. Harris - Moon cleared danger effectively, and at the twenty-first minute, the Wolves made two substitutions: Bryce Eby replaced Rocco Lombardo, and Max Clark came on for Leo Chowles. Despite these changes, Needham managed to pull a goal back from a goalmouth scramble, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
Bryan Isokpehi entered the fray at the twenty-second minute, replacing George Austin. Max Clark quickly made an impact with flick passes and an attempt on goal that was saved at the twenty-third minute. Archie Ward continued his defensive duties with an interception, while Clark’s flick passes kept the Wolves on the front foot. Clark’s tackle at the twenty-fifth minute prevented a clear chance, and Moors produced a full-stretch save to deny Needham.
Micheal Morrison’s long pass at the twenty-sixth minute created a promising chance, while Freddie Harris - Moon’s wide effort followed. Messenger’s timely tackle at the twenty-seventh minute stopped another threat. Bryan Isokpehi restored the Wolves’ three-goal cushion with a composed finish inside the box at the twenty-eighth minute.
Clark and Bryce Eby combined defensively with headers and interceptions at the twenty-ninth minute. The first half concluded with Harris - Moon’s headed clearance, maintaining the Wolves’ lead at 3-1 at the half-time whistle.
The second half saw Harris - Moon continue his defensive duties with a header at the thirtieth minute. Bryan Isokpehi’s flick pass at the thirty-first minute created further chances, supported by Morrison’s tackling and Archie Ward’s interceptions. At the thirty-second minute, Archie Ward scored from inside the box, assisted by Isokpehi, extending the lead to 4-1.
Ward followed up with a flick pass and a wide attempt shortly after. Bryce Eby intercepted at the thirty-third minute, while Max Clark cleared danger and made flick passes to maintain attacking pressure. Archie Ward and Clark both cleared threats at the thirty-fourth minute.
Frankie Viccars had a shot saved at the thirty-fifth minute, and Bryan Isokpehi’s effort was also denied at the thirty-sixth. Bryce Eby’s flick pass and Messenger’s interception at the thirty-seventh minute helped repel Needham’s advances. Clark and Harris - Moon cleared the ball effectively, while Isokpehi intercepted at the thirty-eighth minute. Bryce Eby cleared danger again before two more substitutions at the thirty-ninth minute saw Leo Chowles return for Morrison and Rocco Lombardo replace Messenger.
At the fortieth minute, George Austin replaced Frankie Viccars. Bryce Eby’s interception prevented a chance, and Austin’s flick pass at the forty-first minute created opportunities. Isokpehi’s shot was saved, followed by a saved attempt from Leo Chowles. Isokpehi’s flick pass at the forty-second minute set up Max Clark, who scored from outside the area, making it 5-1.
Austin’s high effort and Chowles’ saved attempt came in quick succession. Isokpehi continued to supply chances with flick passes, while Lombardo intercepted at the forty-fourth minute. Austin’s tackle at the forty-fifth minute and Clark’s clearance at the forty-sixth kept the defence secure. Moors intercepted a dangerous ball at the forty-seventh minute.
Isokpehi’s shot was saved at the forty-eighth minute, but Lombardo and Clark combined with interceptions and tackles to maintain control. Moors caught the ball confidently, and Clark cleared twice in quick succession. Moors headed clear at the fiftieth minute, and Bryce Eby intercepted at the fifty-second.
Isokpehi’s flick pass at the fifty-second minute created another chance, though Austin’s wide effort followed. Archie Ward tackled effectively at the fifty-third minute, while Lombardo and Ward exchanged flick passes. Clark’s header and tackle at the fifty-fourth minute, alongside Harris - Moon’s interception, helped keep Needham at bay. Eby’s tackle at the fifty-fifth minute was followed by a flick pass from Leo Chowles, who then scored a long-range strike assisted by Isokpehi, pushing the score to 6-1.
Isokpehi continued to create chances with flick passes, while Harris - Moon’s tackle at the fifty-sixth minute and Ward’s long pass maintained Wolves’ momentum. Clark’s long pass at the fifty-seventh minute further fuelled attacks.
In a commanding display, Bury Town Wolves U11 combined defensive solidity with creative midfield play and clinical finishing to secure a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Needham. The Wolves’ tactical discipline and teamwork were evident throughout, with key contributions from defenders and midfielders alike, and a potent attacking threat that proved too much for their opponents.
