Lads Club Juniors U12 hosted Pegasus Flyers U12 at Hereford City Sports on 10 September 2025, with kick-off at 6:15pm in a highly competitive league fixture. The 9-a-side match lasted 60 minutes, concluding with a convincing 4-1 victory for the home side.
Lads Club Juniors lined up in a 2-5-1 formation, deploying two central defenders, Archie Rigby and Louis Howells, to anchor the backline. Lucas Price took his place in goal, tasked with organising the defence and making crucial saves. The midfield was packed with five players: Finn Jones operated on the right, Charlie Arnold on the left, while Flyn Watkins, Thomi Scoular, and Charlie Swain occupied central midfield roles. Up front, Oscar Jones led the line as the lone striker, expected to spearhead attacks and convert chances. The substitutes bench included Chase Bracegirdle, Theo Lewis, Musa Touray, Charlie Clueit, and Zayn Prosser, ready to influence the game as needed.
From the outset, Lucas Price was alert, making a safe catch within the first minute to quell an early threat. However, Oscar Jones was caught offside early on at the fourth minute due to a burst of speed that the linesman didn't appreciate ??. The first tactical changes came swiftly, with Thomi Scoular replaced by Chase Bracegirdle, followed by Theo Lewis coming on for Flyn Watkins five minutes later.
Defensively, Finn Jones was instrumental, intercepting a dangerous move at the 18th minute to prevent a clear chance, demonstrating the midfield’s commitment to tracking back. Shortly after, further substitutions saw Musa Touray and Charlie Clueit introduced for Oscar Jones and Finn Jones respectively at the 20th minute mark, signalling a tactical refresh. Despite these changes, Pegasus Flyers struck first at the 24th minute, scoring with a right-footed finish that looked more like a cross, but gave the Flyers a lead that tested Lads Club’s resilience.
Lads Club Juniors responded with urgency. Chase Bracegirdle’s attempt at goal in the 27th minute was well saved, but the home side’s pressure intensified. As the half neared its close, Archie Rigby headed away a threatening ball at the 30th minute, preventing another scoring opportunity for the visitors. The interval arrived with the scoreline at 1-0 to Pegasus Flyers and the Lads Club boys having a good talking to at half time and the formation changed to push possession up the pitch.
The second half began with a flurry of substitutions as Finn Jones and Oscar Jones returned to the pitch, replacing Musa Touray and Chase Bracegirdle respectively, while Thomi Schoular came on for Charlie Arnold. Lucas Price was called into action again with a full-stretch save at 33 minutes, keeping Lads Club in the contest. Oscar Jones tested the goalkeeper twice more in quick succession at 34 and 37 minutes, both efforts saved, while Thomi Scoular’s shot at 35 minutes went wide.
Finn Jones proved pivotal in creating chances, delivering key passes at 39 and 40 minutes that carved open the opposition defence. The first of these led to Oscar Jones tapping in a close-range goal, assisted by Finn’s short pass, levelling the match. Shortly after, Zayn Prosser, who had replaced Thomi Scoular at 36 minutes, saw his shot saved at 40 minutes. Lucas Price’s sharp reflexes were again on display with a point-blank reaction save at 44 minutes.
Lads Club Juniors took the lead in the 45th minute when Oscar Jones blasted one in from just inside the box, converting a long goal kick from goalkeeper Lucas Price with his left foot. The momentum was firmly with the home side. Oscar Jones was then replaced by Thomi Scoular, and Finn Jones made way for Flyn Watkins, indicating fresh legs to maintain the attacking impetus.
Zayn Prosser continued to influence play, delivering a long key pass at 47 minutes that created another chance, though Thomi Scoular’s follow-up attempt went wide. Theo Lewis also had a shot saved at 51 minutes, while Charlie Clueit intercepted a dangerous move at 54 minutes, preventing a potential equaliser.
The third goal arrived at 55 minutes when Thomi Scoular finished neatly inside the box, assisted by a short pass from Zayn Prosser. This goal effectively put the game beyond Pegasus Flyers’ reach. An injury forced the substitution of Louis Howells for Charlie Arnold at 57 minutes, with Flyn Watkins providing a slide rule pass at 58 minutes to create yet another opportunity. Zayn Prosser’s shot at the same time went wide, and Archie Rigby had a shot tipped over the bar at 60 minutes from a long range free kick, maintaining the attacking threat until the final whistle.
The match was sealed when Theo Lewis scored from inside the box, converting a cross from Zayn Prosser with his right foot, rounding off a dominant display by Lads Club Juniors.
Overall, Lads Club Juniors U12 showcased tactical flexibility and resilience, overturning an early deficit to secure a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Pegasus Flyers U12's. The 2-5-1 formation allowed midfield dominance and attacking fluidity, with key contributions from Oscar Jones, Finn Jones, and Zayn Prosser proving decisive and awarding the quartet with the player of the match award. Lucas Price’s goalkeeping heroics further cemented the home side’s control throughout the contest. A tough first half with Lads Club sitting deep, but the resilience paid off and they played good football on the second half to supply the attackers. ????
