In a commanding display, Lads Club Juniors U11 triumphed over Wellington U11 with a resounding scoreline of 4-1 in a pre Cup final friendly match held at Wellington on 20 May 2025. The match kicked off at 6:30pm and showcased the Juniors' attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation, securing a well-deserved victory.
Lads Club Juniors adopted a 2-5-1 formation, which allowed them to dominate the midfield while maintaining a solid defensive line. Lucas Price took his position as goalkeeper, with Archie Rigby and Louis Howells forming a central defensive partnership. The midfield was packed with creativity and energy, featuring Mali Lewis on the right, Finn Jones on the left, and a trio of central midfielders: Theo Lewis, Thomi Scoular, and Charlie Swain. Oscar Jones led the line as the sole striker, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for the match included Romeo Roberts, Flyn Watkins, Chase Bracegirdle, Bodhi Round, and Musa Touray, who would later play crucial roles in maintaining the team's momentum throughout the game.
The match began with an early attempt from Mali Lewis, whose shot was saved just a minute in, signalling Lads Club Juniors' intent. Almost immediately, Thomi Scoular opened the scoring, finding the net with a right-footed shot from a corner kick clearance just inside the box, putting the Juniors ahead within the first minute.
Finn Jones showcased his defensive skills shortly after, making a clearance to maintain the lead. Mali Lewis continued to threaten the Wellington goal, but her second attempt was also saved. Finn Jones was again involved defensively, executing a well-timed tackle to thwart a Wellington attack.
Lucas Price, the Juniors' goalkeeper, demonstrated his reliability with a catch from a corner kick that ensured the score remained 1-0. The Juniors doubled their lead in the seventh minute when Archie Rigby scored with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Finn Jones, showcasing the team's set-piece prowess.
Thomi Scoular had a chance to extend the lead further but shot wide in the tenth minute. The first substitutions came in the twelfth minute, with Romeo Roberts replacing Louis Howells, Flyn Watkins coming on for Finn Jones, and Chase Bracegirdle taking the place of Theo Lewis, all aimed at maintaining the Juniors' momentum.
Mali Lewis continued to contribute defensively, making a crucial tackle in the twenty-first minute before being substituted off for Bodhi Round. Musa Touray also entered the fray, replacing Thomi Scoular, as the Juniors looked to maintain their dominance.
Romeo Roberts made his mark with a solid tackle in the twenty-sixth minute, further solidifying the Juniors' defensive efforts. After 30 minutes Lads Club Juniors were leading 2-0, a scoreline that reflected their control of the match.
As the second half commenced, Finn Jones returned to the pitch, replacing Chase Bracegirdle, while Theo Lewis came on for Charlie Swain shortly after. Oscar Jones made a key pass in the thirty-fourth minute, creating a chance for Bodhi Round that highlighted the Juniors' attacking Bodhi's shot went wide in the thirty-fifth minute. However, Oscar Jones found the net in the thirty-sixth minute, scoring a well-crafted goal following a well placed through pass from Finn Jones, extending the lead to 3-0.
Theo Lewis made another key pass in the thirty-eighth minute, showcasing the Juniors' fluid attacking play. Louis Howells made a key pass over the top, but Oscar Jones was unable to get to it in time to make it count. Lucas Price continued to impress in goal, making a full-stretch save that was heading for the top corner in the forty-seventh minute to deny Wellington any chance of a comeback.
Substitutions continued as Thomi Scoular replaced Oscar Jones, and Chase Bracegirdle came back on for Bodhi Round in the forty-first minute. Mali Lewis also returned to the pitch, taking the place of Flyn Watkins, as the Juniors sought to maintain their lead.
Chase Bracegirdle scored the fourth goal for Lads Club Juniors in the forty-fourth minute, finishing confidently with his left foot from just inside the box. Despite the Juniors' dominance, Wellington managed to pull one back in the fifty-sixth minute with a header, reducing the deficit to 4-1.
Lucas Price remained vigilant, making a point-blank reaction save in the fifty-fifth minute, and a reaction dive to his right side in the fiftieth minute, demonstrating his importance to the team. The match concluded with a final attempt from Charlie Swain, who shot high, but the score remained 4-1 in favour of Lads Club Juniors U11, marking a successful outing for the team. Well done to the whole team and good luck on Saturday. Enjoy your holiday Finn the team will miss you but will bring the cup home for you??????
