The Pro Shottas U15 faced off against the Mavericks in a league match at Blenheim A on 14 June 2025, kicking off at 12:15pm. The Pro Shottas side emerged victorious with a convincing 3-1 scoreline, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive resilience throughout the contest.
The Pro Shottas lined up in a 4-2-1-3 formation, designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair. Christopher Palmer occupied the goalkeeping position, while the back four consisted of Elijah Jacob and Shakobi Jordan as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Micah James and Keiji Miller forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Tye Gittens and Raiden Lee operated as central midfielders, providing both defensive cover and support to the attack, while Kaleb Catwell played as the attacking midfielder, tasked with linking play and creating chances. Up front, Zander Holub and Kevio Bellamy occupied the right and left forward positions, respectively, with Emanuel Espinosa Alvarez leading the line as the striker.
The substitutes for Pro Shottas U15 included C'jae Nichols, Rajae Holder, Nikkeil Freeman, Samuel Campion, and Dylan Boucaud, ready to make an impact from the bench.
The match began with an explosive start, as Kevio Bellamy opened the scoring for Pro Shottas U15 just three minutes in, finishing a well-crafted team move with a precise right-footed shot. The early goal set the tone for the side, who continued to press for more.
In the 16th minute, Kaleb Catwell doubled the lead, converting a short pass from Tye Gittens inside the box with his right foot, demonstrating the team's attacking fluidity. Mavericks struggled to contain the Pro Shottas' relentless attacking play, and just eight minutes later, Bellamy struck again, this time from long range, thanks to a superb assist from Shakobi Jordan. His right-footed effort from distance left the Mavericks' goalkeeper with little chance, making it 3-0.
As the first half drew to a close, the Pro Shottas maintained their dominance, and the whistle blew for half-time with the score at 3-0, leaving the Mavericks with a mountain to climb in the second half.
The second half saw Pro Shottas U15 make a tactical substitution, bringing on C'jae Nichols for Zander Holub in the 51st minute. However, the match took a turn when Emanuel Espinosa Alvarez received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 55th minute, a moment that highlighted the increasing physicality of the game.
In the 60th minute, further tactical changes were made as Rajae Holder replaced Espinosa Alvarez, and Nikkeil Freeman came on for Elijah Jacob. Shortly after, Christopher Palmer showcased his goalkeeping skills with a full stretch save in the 61st minute, denying the Mavericks a chance to get back into the match.
The Pro Shottas were forced into two more substitutions in the 66th minute due to injuries, with Samuel Campion replacing Keiji Miller and Dylan Boucaud coming on for Shakobi Jordan. Despite the changes, the home side remained resolute.
However, in the 72nd minute, the Mavericks found a glimmer of hope when they scored, reducing the deficit to 3-1. The goal injected some urgency into the game, but Pro Shottas U15 held firm, demonstrating their defensive organisation and composure.
As the final whistle approached, the Pro Shottas U15 maintained their lead, securing a well-deserved victory. The match highlighted the team's attacking capabilities, with standout performances from Zander Holub, Bellamy, Catwell, and Palmer, who were instrumental in the win. The Pro Shottas U15 will take great confidence from this performance as they look ahead to their next challenge in the league.
