Lads Club Juniors U12 hosted Wellington Youth U12 at Hereford City Sports on 5th October 2025, with kick-off at 10:30am in a competitive league fixture played over 60 minutes plus added time. The home side fought valiantly but ultimately fell short, losing 3-2 in a closely contested 9-a-side encounter.
Lads Club Juniors set up in a 2-5-1 formation, deploying two central defenders, Archie Rigby and Charlie Clueit, to provide a solid defensive base. Lucas Price took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper. The midfield was packed with five players: Finn Jones operated on the right wing, Charlie Arnold on the left, while Zayn Prosser, Charlie Swain, and Thomi Scoular held central midfield roles, tasked with both defensive duties and linking play. Up front, Oscar Jones led the line as the lone striker, expected to spearhead attacks and finish chances. The substitutes available were Flynn Gething, Chase Bracegirdle, Musa Touray, and Flyn Watkins.
From the outset, Lads Club Juniors showed intent. Within the first minute, goalkeeper Lucas Price produced a full-stretch save to deny Wellington Youth an early breakthrough. Just two minutes later, Oscar Jones tested the opposition keeper with a shot that was well saved. However, a moment of good defending caught Jones offside in the fourth minute, halting a promising attack.
Wellington Youth struck first blood in the fifth minute with a neat tap-in using their left foot, capitalising on a defensive lapse. The visitors then doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, the spot-kick dispatched with a right-footed finish. This prompted Lads Club Juniors to make their first substitution immediately after the penalty, with Flynn Gething replacing Thomi Scoular in midfield.
Despite the early setbacks, Lads Club Juniors remained resilient. Lucas Price was called into action again in the 16th minute, pulling off a point-blank reaction save to keep his side in the game. Shortly after, Oscar Jones was substituted for Chase Bracegirdle, and Musa Touray came on for Finn Jones in the 18th minute, as the manager sought fresh legs and tactical adjustments. Price continued to impress with a dive at the feet of an attacker moments later.
Further changes followed in the 22nd minute when Flyn Watkins replaced central defender Charlie Clueit, signalling a shift to maintain defensive solidity. Archie Rigby was instrumental in defence, making a crucial interception in the ninth minute and a vital tackle in the 25th minute to thwart Wellington’s advances.
Lads Club Juniors began to create chances of their own. Zayn Prosser’s effort in the 26th minute rattled the crossbar, coming agonisingly close to reducing the deficit. The half concluded with Wellington Youth leading 2-0 at the 30-minute mark.
The second half saw immediate changes as Oscar Jones returned to the pitch for Chase Bracegirdle, and Thomi Scoular replaced Musa Touray in midfield, restoring some familiarity to the lineup. The substitution paid dividends almost instantly as Oscar Jones scored in the 31st minute, blasting home a left-footed finish following a short pass assist from Charlie Arnold, sparking hope for the home side.
Zayn Prosser attempted to build on the momentum but fired wide shortly after. Lucas Price remained a commanding presence in goal, making another key save in the 34th minute. Oscar Jones continued to press, though his effort in the 37th minute was well saved by the Wellington keeper.
Defensively, Charlie Arnold and Charlie Swain contributed crucial tackles and interceptions in the closing stages of the half, helping to stem the visitors’ attacks. Finn Jones was reintroduced in the 42nd minute for Thomi Scoular, while Charlie Clueit returned to the backline in place of Flyn Watkins at half-time.
Charlie Clueit made an immediate impact with an interception in the 47th minute, preventing a clear chance for Wellington Youth. Flynn Gething then provided a slide-rule key pass in the 49th minute, creating a promising opportunity for Lads Club Juniors. Charlie Arnold’s attempt in the 50th minute went wide, but the home side’s pressure was mounting.
Thomi Scoular was brought back on in the 52nd minute, replacing Flynn Gething to inject energy into midfield. Lucas Price once again proved his worth in goal with a crucial penalty save in the 55th minute, keeping Lads Club Juniors within touching distance.
However, Wellington Youth extended their lead in the 58th minute with a right-footed strike from inside the box, restoring their two-goal advantage. Undeterred, Lads Club Juniors responded swiftly as Zayn Prosser lobbed the goalkeeper in the 61st minute, pulling a goal back and setting up a tense finale.
Despite their best efforts, Lads Club Juniors could not find an equaliser before the final whistle. The match ended 3-2 in favour of Wellington Youth, a narrow defeat for the home side who showed great spirit and determination throughout.
Lucas Price was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding goalkeeping, including multiple crucial saves and a penalty stop that kept his team in contention. The 2-5-1 formation in the first half saw a solid defensive effort from Rigby and Clueit, industrious midfield work, and moments of attacking promise, but ultimately Wellington Youth’s speed in attack and clinical finishing proved decisive on the day.
