On 24 May 2025, Lads Club Juniors U11 faced off against Ludlow Lions U11 in a thrilling cup final match held at Edgar Street, kicking off at 2:00pm. The match concluded with Lads Club Juniors securing a convincing 2-0 victory, showcasing their tactical prowess and determination.
The Lads Club Juniors adopted a 2-5-1 formation, with Lucas Price stationed in goal, flanked by central defenders Archie Rigby and Louis Howells. The midfield was packed with five players: Chase Bracegirdle on the right, Charlie Swain, Thomi Scoular, and Flyn Watkins in central roles, and Charlie Arnold on the left. Oscar Jones led the line as the sole striker, tasked with converting chances into goals. The formation allowed for a strong midfield presence while maintaining defensive solidity.
The substitutes for Lads Club Juniors included Musa Touray and Romeo Roberts, both of whom would be called upon later in the match to add fresh legs and tactical variations.
The match began with an early defensive display from Archie Rigby, who made a crucial tackle in the second minute, setting the tone for a robust defensive performance. Thomi Scoular quickly made his mark, delivering a slide rule pass in the seventh minute that hinted at the attacking intent of the Juniors. Just a minute later, Charlie Swain attempted a shot but sent it high, a missed opportunity that would not deter the team.
Thomi Scoular was again instrumental in the ninth minute, providing another slide rule pass that created a chance, although Charlie Arnold's subsequent effort was saved. Archie Rigby continued to shine defensively, clearing the ball effectively in the twelfth minute, while Louis Howells made a vital tackle shortly after, demonstrating the team's defensive resilience.
In an exciting moment in the thirteenth minute, Archie Rigby struck the crossbar with a powerful direct free kick, nearly putting his side ahead. However, it was Oscar Jones who broke the deadlock in the fourteenth minute, scoring with a left-footed shot into the far bottom corner after receiving a short pass from Chase Bracegirdle. The sellout crowd erupted and the players smothered Osky during his sniper celebration.
Thomi Scoular found himself offside in the seventeenth minute due to good defending from Ludlow, but the Juniors were undeterred. Charlie Arnold, ever the threat, had another shot saved shortly after, showcasing the relentless pressure the Juniors were applying.
The breakthrough came again in the nineteenth minute when Charlie Arnold capitalised on a goalmouth scramble, scoring with a right-footed effort from close range, doubling the lead for Lads Club Juniors, the Lads instantly calmed down the play and started to pass it around a bit more. Louis Howells continued to lead the defensive line with a clearance in the twenty-first minute, followed by another interception shortly after, ensuring the Juniors maintained their two-goal cushion.
As the first half progressed, Archie Rigby had another attempt in the twenty-fourth minute that went wide, but the Juniors were firmly in control. The half concluded with a solid defensive display, and the team went into the break with a 2-0 lead.
The second half saw the introduction of Musa Touray, who replaced Chase Bracegirdle in the twenty-eighth minute. Touray made an immediate impact, though his attempt in the thirtieth minute went just wide. The match continued with both teams battling for control, but Lads Club Juniors remained resolute in defence.
Oscar Jones was caught offside in the thirty-second minute, but the Juniors' defence, led by Romeo and Archie, held firm. Lucas Price, the goalkeeper, was called into action in the forty-third minute, making a point-blank reaction save to his left side that preserved the clean sheet. He followed this with a catch from a long range strike in the fiftieth minute and a tip into the bar in the fifty-first minute, showcasing his goalkeeping prowess.
As the match drew to a close, Lads Club Juniors continued to defend stoutly, with Archie Rigby making a crucial block in the fifty-ninth minute to deny any late chances for Ludlow Lions. The final whistle confirmed a well-deserved 2-0 victory for Lads Club Juniors, who demonstrated both attacking flair and defensive discipline throughout the match. The whole team concluded the season celebrating as holders of the Under 11 Tony Cole cup. The team had promised to bring the cup home for Finley Jones, and that's exactly what they did. Well done Lads Club. ??????????
