On 14 September 2025, Christchurch FC Panthers welcomed Dexter Sports Youth U16 Colts to Glenmoor and Winton Academies for a Dorset Youth League Cup home match that kicked off promptly at 12:00pm. The Panthers produced a commanding display over 80 minutes plus added time, running out 7-1 winners in a thoroughly one-sided encounter under the watchful eye of referee Paul Moore.
Christchurch FC Panthers lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, deploying three defenders at the back with George Adlem on the right, James Adams centrally, and Aaron Scullion on the left. The midfield quartet featured Jamie Moore on the right wing, Dominik Chudy and Kian Sinclair in central midfield roles, and Rafael Maggiora on the left flank. Just ahead of them, Josh Akpagbula operated as the attacking midfielder, supporting the two forwards Daniel Goodson on the right and Emilio Parandian on the left. This setup was designed to provide defensive solidity through the back three while allowing width and creativity in midfield, with Akpagbula expected to link play and supply the forwards. The substitutes named were Henri Day, Arwan Hassan, and Finley Everett.
The match began with Christchurch Panthers asserting early dominance. At 15 minutes, the deadlock was broken when Emilio Parandian capitalised on a short pass from Josh Akpagbula to slot home the opener, setting the tone for the rest of the game. However, Dexter Sports Youth U16 Colts responded with a spectacular effort of their own at 31 minutes, unleashing a screamer that found the back of the net, briefly halving the deficit and injecting some hope for the visitors.
Christchurch quickly regained control, and just before the interval at 40 minutes, Josh Akpagbula rose highest to head in a corner delivered by Parandian, restoring the two-goal cushion. This goal was swiftly followed by a tactical triple substitution for the Panthers with Henri Day replacing Rafael Maggiora, Arwan Hassan came on for George Adlem, and Finley Everett took over from James Adams, signalling a strategic shift as the team looked to maintain their momentum.
The first half concluded with Christchurch leading 2-1, but the second period saw the Panthers pull away emphatically. Within five minutes of the restart, Henri Day, now on the pitch, provided a corner that Aaron Scullion met with a powerful header to extend the lead to 3-1. The visitors struggled to contain the Panthers’ fluid attacking play.
At 54 minutes, a sweeping team move culminated in Daniel Goodson finishing clinically after receiving a long pass from Parandian, further stretching the advantage. Parandian continued to influence proceedings, assisting again at 60 minutes with a long pass that found substitute Henri Day, who made no mistake in adding a fifth goal.
The Panthers’ dominance was emphatically underlined at 70 minutes when Jamie Moore unleashed a stunning long-range strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance. The scoring spree was rounded off at 75 minutes as James Adams, headed home a corner from Daniel Goodson, sealing a comprehensive 7-1 victory.
James Adams was deservedly named player of the match for his defensive solidity and crucial late goal, contributing significantly to the Panthers’ overwhelming success. The team’s tactical flexibility and clinical finishing ensured a memorable cup triumph on home soil, leaving Dexter Sports Youth U16 Colts with plenty to ponder.
