In a gripping friendly match held at Worden Park on 10 August 2025, CastleCourt JFC U13 edged past Leyland Pirates Football Club U13 Black with a final score of 3-2. The match kicked off at 11:00 am and showcased a thrilling display of youth football, with both teams demonstrating skill and determination throughout the 60 minutes of play.
CastleCourt JFC adopted a 3-1-3-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while also providing ample support for their attacking players. Joe Watson took his place in goal, shielded by a back three consisting of Kayden Burns, Joshua Barlow, and Logan Dickinson. Tyler McDonald operated as the lone central midfielder, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio featured Harry Richardson on the right, Conlan Doyle-Wall centrally, and Mason Bullen on the left, with Alfie Davies leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for CastleCourt included Leo Douras, Khail Davis, Ben Standrell, and Reuben Darley, who were poised to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match began with CastleCourt showing early intent, as Conlan Doyle-Wall tested the Leyland Pirates' goalkeeper with a shot just two minutes in, but it was saved. Logan Dickinson followed up with an attempt in the fifth minute, which went wide of the target. Doyle-Wall was again denied in the seventh minute, as his effort was saved, while Mason Bullen's attempts in the eighth and tenth minutes also failed to find the back of the net, both saved by the opposition's keeper.
However, it was Leyland Pirates who struck first in the 11th minute, capitalising on a defensive mistake from CastleCourt to take a 1-0 lead with a right-footed shot. This setback prompted a tactical adjustment, and in the 23rd minute, Leo Douras replaced Harry Richardson due to injury. Douras quickly made his presence felt, providing a key flick pass in the 25th minute that created a chance for his teammates.
Further changes came in the 26th minute when Khail Davis replaced Logan Dickinson, also due to injury, followed by Ben Standrell coming on for Tyler McDonald in the 30th minute as part of a tactical switch. The first half concluded with CastleCourt trailing 1-0, but they remained optimistic heading into the second half.
As the second half commenced, Joshua Barlow had a chance to level the score in the 34th minute, but his shot went wide. The breakthrough finally came in the 36th minute when Alfie Davies, assisted by Conlan Doyle-Wall, scored from inside the box with a precise right-footed shot, bringing the score to 1-1.
Just a minute later, CastleCourt made another substitution, with Reuben Darley coming on for Mason Bullen. The momentum shifted in CastleCourt's favour, and in the 48th minute, Alfie Davies struck again, this time from outside the area, with a well-placed right-footed shot following a short pass from Doyle-Wall, putting CastleCourt ahead 2-1.
Leyland Pirates responded with urgency and found an equaliser in the 53rd minute, once again capitalising on a defensive error to score from close range with a left-footed shot, making it 2-2. The intensity of the match heightened, and Khail Davis nearly put CastleCourt back in front in the 54th minute, hitting the crossbar with a powerful effort.
In the 55th minute, Tyler McDonald returned to the pitch, replacing Conlan Doyle-Wall as CastleCourt sought to regain control. The decisive moment arrived in the dying moments of the match when Tyler McDonald scored in the 60th minute, converting a flick assist from Khail Davis from close range, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory for CastleCourt.
The match concluded with CastleCourt JFC U13 celebrating a hard-fought win, showcasing resilience and teamwork against a spirited Leyland Pirates side. Man of the match was given to Mason Bullen for being a constant thorn in the Leyland teams side and creating chances for himself and his teammates with his non stop running and teamwork. Josh Barlow also received man of the match for his defensive performance, making every tackle and looking calm and composed throughout the match. Well deserved for both players, although, all the Castlecourt players put in a great performance and any one of them could have easily got a medal for their part in the game today.
