Droylsden Pythons U11s 2 vs 1 Hazel Grove United FC

Droylsden Pythons U11s hosted Hazel Grove United FC at the Mike Doyle Centre on 18 July 2026, with kick-off at 9:30am in a tightly contested 7-a-side tournament match. The game lasted 10 minutes plus injury time, culminating in a 2-1 victory for the Pythons.

Droylsden lined up in a 2-3-1 formation, deploying two central defenders, three midfielders across the left, centre and right, and a lone striker up front. Jake Duff took his place in goal, tasked with organising the defence and keeping a clean sheet. Joshua O’ Reilly and Max Higham formed the central defensive partnership, expected to provide solidity and cover at the back. The midfield trio consisted of Richie A on the left, Hamza Bance centrally, and Teddy Blunt on the right, all charged with linking defence and attack while supporting both ends of the pitch. Leading the line was striker Joshua (Prince) Karim, whose role was to spearhead attacks and convert chances. On the bench were Elliott Walshe and Logan Myerscough, ready to make an impact if called upon.

The match began at a frenetic pace, with Hazel Grove United striking first inside three minutes. Their forward capitalised on a close-range opportunity, slotting the ball home with his right foot from a tap-in, putting the visitors ahead early on. Droylsden’s defence had been caught out briefly, and the goal served as a wake-up call.

Despite the early setback, the Pythons responded swiftly. Just a minute after the half-time whistle at five minutes, Joshua Karim showcased his individual quality by scoring a solo goal. He manoeuvred past defenders and finished neatly with his right foot from close range to level the scores, restoring parity and lifting his team’s spirits.

Shortly after, tactical changes began to shape the game. At seven minutes, Elliott Walshe replaced Richie A on the left midfield, injecting fresh energy into the side. A minute later, Logan Myerscough came on for central defender Joshua O’ Reilly, signalling a shift in defensive personnel as the Pythons looked to tighten their backline.

The substitutions paid dividends almost immediately. At nine minutes, a well-worked team move culminated in Karim’s second goal of the match. Myerscough delivered a precise long pass that found Karim in space, who then finished clinically with his right foot from close range. This goal put Droylsden ahead for the first time and ultimately proved decisive.

Throughout the match, Jake Duff’s presence in goal was reassuring, while the midfield trio worked tirelessly to maintain possession and create opportunities. The defensive reshuffle helped to stem the flow of Hazel Grove’s attacks in the closing stages.

Droylsden Pythons U11s demonstrated resilience and attacking prowess to overturn an early deficit and secure a 2-1 victory in this brief but intense encounter at the Mike Doyle Centre. Joshua (Prince) Karim’s brace was the highlight, supported by crucial contributions from substitutes Elliott Walshe and Logan Myerscough.