In an exhilarating friendly encounter at Heywood Sports Village on 14 June 2025, Roach Dynamos Orange U16 faced off against Darwen FC Development U16s, with both teams ultimately settling for a dramatic 3-3 draw. The match, which kicked off at 12:15pm, showcased a blend of skill, determination, and resilience from both sides, making for an entertaining spectacle.
Roach Dynamos Orange adopted a 4-1-4-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive foundation while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Josh Regan took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Tom Wood on the right, Tom Pearson and Oneal Abouna in central defence, and Billy Watters on the left. Zach Chorlton operated as a lone central midfielder, tasked with linking play and providing support to the attacking quartet ahead of him. On the right, Kai Hudson and on the left, Harley Jones were positioned as attacking midfielders, while Alfie Glynn played centrally behind the lone striker, Oliver Daniels. This formation aimed to exploit the width of the pitch while maintaining a strong defensive presence.
The substitutes were not listed for this match, but the starting eleven was set to make an impact from the outset.
The first significant moment arrived in the 19th minute when Oliver Daniels opened the scoring for Roach Dynamos Orange, finishing off a well-crafted move with an assist from Zach Chorlton. The home side's early lead injected confidence into their play, as they sought to build on their advantage.
However, Darwen FC Development responded swiftly, equalising in the 31st minute. The visitors capitalised on a moment of uncertainty in the Roach defence, finding the back of the net to level the score at 1-1.
As the first half drew to a close, Roach Dynamos regained their lead just before the interval. In the 40th minute, Alfie Glynn struck with a goal, courtesy of an assist from Harley Jones, sending the teams into the break with Roach Dynamos leading 2-1.
The second half commenced with both teams eager to assert their dominance. However, it was Darwen FC who struck first, equalising again in the 50th minute. The visitors’ persistence paid off as they found the net for the second time, making it 2-2.
As the match progressed, tensions rose, and both teams pushed for a decisive goal. In the 72nd minute, Darwen FC took the lead for the first time, scoring their third goal to make it 3-2. This late surge from the visitors put Roach Dynamos under pressure, but the home side refused to back down.
With time running out, Roach Dynamos Orange mounted a final assault. In the 78th minute, Oliver Daniels struck again, netting his second goal of the match with an assist from Alfie Glynn. This late equaliser ensured that the match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, leaving both teams with plenty to reflect on.
Noah Massoudi was recognised as the standout player of the match, contributing significantly to Roach Dynamos' performance throughout the game. The friendly encounter not only showcased the talent within both squads but also highlighted the spirit of youth football, where resilience and teamwork are paramount.
