On Sunday 21 September 2025, Millmoor Juniors Blacks U8 welcomed Cawthorne (2017) U8 Cawthorne JFC to their home ground at Millmoor Juniors (Youth) U7 Millmoor Jun for a 5-a-side league match kicking off at 10:00am. The hosts produced a commanding display to secure an emphatic 8-1 victory over their visitors in a 40-minute contest overseen by referee Austin Rodgers.
Millmoor Juniors Blacks lined up in a 2-2 formation, deploying two defenders and two attackers in a balanced setup designed to maintain defensive solidity while providing attacking impetus. Lelan Woodthorpe-Martin took the role of goalkeeper, tasked with organising the backline and making crucial saves. The defensive duo comprised Ivan Voronovich and Ruairi Nicholson-Fearnside, expected to shield the goal and initiate attacks from the back. Up front, Dom Openshaw and Stan Jenkinson were positioned as the two forwards, charged with pressing the opposition and converting chances. The substitutes available were Archie Jenkinson and Teddy Cooney, ready to inject fresh energy when called upon.
The match began with an early tactical switch as Archie Jenkinson replaced Dom Openshaw in the second minute, a move that quickly paid dividends. Just one minute later, Archie found the net with a composed finish inside the box, giving Millmoor Juniors an immediate lead. The fluidity of the side was evident as the game progressed, with further substitutions at the ninth minute seeing Teddy Cooney come on for Ivan Voronovich and Dom Openshaw returning to the pitch in place of Stan Jenkinson, signalling a rotation aimed at maintaining intensity.
At the tenth minute, goalkeeper Lelan Woodthorpe-Martin showcased his shot-stopping prowess with a full-stretch save, denying Cawthorne a chance to equalise. Millmoor Juniors continued to press forward, and Archie Jenkinson doubled the advantage in the 15th minute, this time assisted by Dom Openshaw’s precise short pass inside the box. The visitors struggled to contain the hosts’ attacking threat, and three minutes later Teddy Cooney unleashed a powerful long-range strike that found the back of the net, extending the lead to 3-0.
The tactical substitutions continued at the 18th minute with Ivan Voronovich returning for Ruairi Nicholson-Fearnside and Stan Jenkinson replacing Archie Jenkinson, while Millmoor Juniors’ dominance was further emphasised by a goal from Dom Openshaw inside the box a minute later. The half closed with Millmoor Juniors comfortably ahead 5-0.
As the teams headed into the break at the 20-minute mark, Lelan Woodthorpe-Martin remained alert, producing a vital dive at the feet of an onrushing opponent to keep the clean sheet intact. The second half saw further tactical adjustments with Stan Jenkinson replacing Dom Openshaw and Ruairi Nicholson-Fearnside coming on for Teddy Cooney at 25 minutes. Teddy Cooney quickly made an impact by scoring from outside the area, demonstrating his shooting range and technical ability.
Archie Jenkinson returned to the field at the 32nd minute, substituting Ivan Voronovich, while Dom Openshaw replaced Archie Jenkinson shortly after. Lelan Woodthorpe-Martin continued to impress with another crucial save described simply as ‘other’, maintaining Millmoor Juniors’ defensive resilience. The visitors remained unable to breach the hosts’ defence.
The final stages of the match saw Ruairi Nicholson-Fearnside score from inside the box at the 37th minute, assisted by a well-delivered cross from Stan Jenkinson. Millmoor Juniors were relentless, and Dom Openshaw added a solo goal a minute later, weaving past defenders to extend the lead further. Ivan Voronovich returned to the pitch at the 39th minute, replacing Ruairi Nicholson-Fearnside.
Cawthorne managed to pull a consolation goal in the 40th minute, but it was too little too late as Millmoor Juniors Blacks U8 ran out convincing 8-1 winners. The home side’s fluid substitutions and tactical flexibility were key to their dominance, with Ivan Voronovich earning the player of the match accolade for his influential defensive displays and overall contribution.
Millmoor Juniors Blacks U8’s comprehensive victory showcased their attacking prowess and defensive organisation, setting a high standard in this league encounter at their home venue.
