Malet Vikings U18 welcomed South Cave Sporting Club U17 Bears to Malet Lambert 4G on 28 September 2025 for a league home match kicking off at 12:00pm. The Vikings produced a commanding performance to secure a resounding 10-0 victory in this 11-a-side encounter, thrilling the 20 spectators in attendance.
Deploying a 3-5-2 formation, Malet Vikings set up with Noah Van in goal, protected by a back three of Oli Thompson at right defender, Riley Baker centrally, and Axel Nicholson on the left. The midfield five featured Ryan Case on the right flank, Louie McDonald, George Jackson, and Tommy Anson occupying central midfield roles, with Eliot Wilberforce operating on the left. Up front, Mason Percival and Alex Ward led the attack. This formation was designed to provide defensive solidity through the three at the back while allowing the wing midfielders to supply width and support the two forwards in a fluid attacking system.
The substitutes named on the bench were Kyle Evans, Will Schrimshaw, Lucas Applegate, Lucas Hunt, and Anthony Baker-Cortes.
The match burst into life early on with Ryan Case opening the scoring in the 15th minute. Eliot Wilberforce delivered a precise cross from the left, which Case expertly tapped in with his right foot, setting the tone for the Vikings’ dominance. Just three minutes later, Alex Ward doubled the lead with a spectacular strike from outside the box. Receiving a short pass from Louie McDonald, Ward unleashed a powerful right-footed screamer that left the South Cave goalkeeper with no chance.
Ward was not finished there, adding a third goal in the 25th minute from a direct free-kick outside the box, again with his right foot, demonstrating his set-piece prowess. The Vikings continued to press, and in the 29th minute Mason Percival scored a stunning effort from distance. Assisted by a short pass from Tommy Anson, Percival’s right-footed shot was another highlight, emphasising the team’s attacking threat.
Shortly after this flurry of goals, Malet Vikings made a tactical quadruple substitution at the 30th minute mark. Kyle Evans replaced Axel Nicholson, Will Schrimshaw came on for Mason Percival, Lucas Applegate took over from Louie McDonald, and Lucas Hunt replaced Ryan Case. These changes injected fresh legs and maintained the team’s intensity.
The substitutions did not disrupt the flow as Oli Thompson headed home a close-range goal in the 34th minute from a corner delivered by Alex Ward, extending the lead to 5-0. Anthony Baker-Cortes then replaced Tommy Anson in the 35th minute, continuing the tactical rotation.
The first half concluded with Malet Vikings firmly in control, leading 5-0 at the break.
Resuming after half-time, the Vikings maintained their attacking momentum. In the 75th minute, Tommy Anson, back on the pitch, scored following a well-worked team move, finishing with a right-footed shot after a short pass from Lucas Applegate. Three minutes later, Will Schrimshaw, who had come on early in the second half, found the net with a composed finish from a short pass by Louie McDonald.
Schrimshaw doubled his tally just two minutes later in the 80th minute, again capitalising on a short pass, this time from Tommy Anson, to slot home another right-footed goal. The scoring spree continued in the 82nd minute when Anthony Baker-Cortes scored directly from a corner kick, a rare and impressive feat, curling the ball from outside the box with his right foot.
Malet Vikings were relentless, and in the 84th minute Louie McDonald added to the tally with a goal following a team move, assisted by Lucas Applegate’s short pass. McDonald’s right-footed finish capped off a dominant display.
The referee officiated the match with authority and consistency, earning a commendable performance rating of 90.
Will Schrimshaw and Tommy Anson were named players of the match for their influential roles in both creating and scoring goals, underpinning the Vikings’ overwhelming victory.
Malet Vikings U18’s 10-0 triumph over South Cave Sporting Club U17 Bears was a comprehensive showcase of attacking football, tactical flexibility, and clinical finishing at Malet Lambert 4G.
