The Kington Recreation Ground played host to an exhilarating league encounter on 7th September 2025, where Lads Club Juniors U12 faced off against Kington Town U12. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, a result that reflected the competitive spirit displayed by both teams throughout the 60 minutes of play.
Lads Club Juniors adopted a 2-5-1 formation, with Lucas Price stationed as the goalkeeper. The defensive duo comprised Archie Rigby and Louis Howells, tasked with maintaining a solid backline. In midfield, Finn Jones operated on the right, while Charlie Arnold took up the left flank, with Charlie Swain, Thomi Scoular, and Flyn Watkins forming a central trio. Oscar Jones led the attack as the lone striker, expected to convert any chances that came his way.
The substitutes for Lads Club Juniors included Chase Bracegirdle, Charlie Clueit, and Musa Touray, providing depth and tactical options for the manager as the match progressed.
The match began with both teams probing for an early advantage. In the sixth minute, Archie Rigby made a crucial interception, showcasing his defensive prowess. Just two minutes later, Louis Howells followed suit, intercepting a potential chance for Kington Town, demonstrating the resilience of the Lads Club defence.
Rigby was again in the thick of the action in the 11th minute, executing a well-timed tackle to thwart another Kington attack. Finn Jones joined the defensive effort shortly after, making a vital tackle in the 12th minute, as Lads Club Juniors sought to establish control.
As the game approached the quarter-hour mark, Oscar Jones had a chance to put his side ahead after winning onto a through ball but unfortunately sent his effort wide in the 14th minute. Lucas Price, the Lads Club goalkeeper, was called into action in the 17th minute, making a vital clearance to relieve pressure on his defence. He followed this up with a remarkable point-blank reaction save in the 18th minute, further solidifying his reputation as a key player for the Juniors.
Price's heroics continued as he punched away a dangerous cross in the 19th minute, ensuring that Kington Town could not capitalise on their attacking momentum. The first substitutions came in the 20th minute, with Chase Bracegirdle replacing Oscar Jones, followed by Charlie Clueit coming on for Flyn Watkins and Musa Touray replacing Finn Jones in the 21st minute to give them a breather in this closely fight contest.
As the match progressed, Charlie Swain made a significant tackle in the 27th minute, showcasing the team's defensive commitment. The first half concluded with a scoreless draw, but the intensity was palpable as both teams headed into the break.
The second half commenced with Musa Touray making his presence felt, executing a sliding tackle in the 31st minute. Lucas Price continued to shine, catching a cross in the 33rd minute, demonstrating his command of the area. However, Kington Town broke the deadlock in the 35th minute, scoring from a goalmouth scramble, that slipped through the keepers hands to leave an open goal, much to the dismay of the Lads Club Juniors.
In response, Lads Club Juniors regrouped and equalised just seven minutes later. Archie Rigby scored a header into the far corner of the net from a corner delivered by Finn Jones in the 42nd minute, bringing the score to 1-1 and igniting celebrations among the Juniors' supporters.
The match saw further substitutions, with Thomi Scoular returning to the pitch in the 44th minute, replacing Charlie Clueit who had ran himself ragged in the wet conditions. Charlie Arnold came on for Musa Touray in the 52nd minute, and Chase Bracegirdle re-entered the fray, taking over from Thomi Scoular in the 54th minute. The rotation of wing backs was key to keep fresh legs running the line supporting at both ends.
As the match drew to a close, Charlie Swain made a crucial clearance in the 59th minute, preventing Kington Town from snatching a late winner. The final whistle blew, confirming a hard-fought draw that left both teams with plenty to reflect on as they look ahead to their next fixtures.
Archie Rigby and Louis Howells were standout performers for Lads Club Juniors, earning player of the match recognition for their defensive contributions and overall impact on the match. The draw leaves both teams with a sense of achievement, having battled fiercely in a competitive league encounter.
