In a thrilling friendly encounter at The Holt Playing Fields this morning, Moore United U14 Greens emerged victorious against Rainhill Rockets U14, clinching a 2-1 win late on. The match showcased an exciting display of youth football, with both teams demonstrating skill and determination throughout the 70 minutes of play.
With quarter of the squad away on Summer Holidays and down to the bare XI available players, Moore United adopted a 3-5-2 formation, which allowed for a solid defensive setup while also providing width and creativity in midfield. Eddie Morris stood guard in goal, while a trio of defenders—Brandon Ledson, Alfie Berry, and Riley Perry—formed the backline. The midfield was packed with talent, featuring Archie Gallop and Nathan Bower on the flanks, supported by the central trio of Harry Lloyd, Miles Paul, and Zak Hughes. Up front, Olly Davies and Caidan Williams were tasked with leading the attack, looking to exploit any defensive gaps presented by the opposition.
The match began with both teams probing for weaknesses, but it was Rainhill Rockets who struck first. In the 25th minute after a defensive mix up by Moore who failed to deal with a long free kick into their penalty area. Rainhill taking the lead put Moore United on the back foot initially but his goal ignited a sense of urgency within the Greens, who began to push forward in search of an equaliser.
As the first half progressed, Moore United had the lion share of possession but struggled to break down a resilient Rainhill defence, and the half-time whistle blew with the scoreline reading 1-0 in favour of the Rockets. The players regrouped, determined to turn the tide in the second half.
The second half saw a revitalised Moore United side take to the pitch with renewed vigour. Their persistence paid off in the 54th minute when Alfie Berry levelled the score. Receiving a beautifully weighted long through ball from Harry Lloyd, Berry unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from outside the box into the far bottom corner, leaving the Rainhill goalkeeper with no chance. The equaliser sent the Moore United spectators into raptures and shifted the momentum firmly in their favour.
With the match finely poised at 1-1, Moore United continued to press for a winner. Their efforts were rewarded in the dying moments of the game. In the 70th minute, a goalmouth scramble ensued after Big Archie Gallop rose at the back post to head a Harry Lloyd corner onto the crossbar before Miles Paul capitalised on the chaos, scoring from close by forcing the ball over the line with his right peg. The goal sent the Moore United bench into celebration, as they now led 2-1.
As the final whistle blew, Moore United U14 Greens celebrated a hard-fought victory against Rainhill Rockets U14. The match showcased the talent and determination of the young players, with standout performances from Eddie Morris and Archie Gallop, who were instrumental in securing the win. A really good game to watch & minutes in the bank as both teams head towards the new season in a few weeks time.
#BGRAWA ?????
