In a thrilling friendly encounter at Heywood Sports Village on 21 June 2025, Roach Dynamos Orange U16 showcased their attacking prowess, defeating Walshaw Warriors U16s with a commanding scoreline of 5-2. The match kicked off at 9:30 am, setting the stage for an exciting display of youth football.
Roach Dynamos lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking transitions. Josh Regan took his position 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 defensive midfielder, tasked with breaking up opposition play and distributing the ball effectively. Ahead of him, the midfield quartet featured Kai Hudson on the right, Noah Massoudi in the centre, Alfie Glynn on the left, and Harley Jones supporting the lone striker, Oliver Daniels.
The substitutes for Roach Dynamos included Alex Gregory, Noah Smith, and Curtis Wright, who would later play pivotal roles in the match.
The first significant moment came in the 21st minute when Roach Dynamos made a triple substitution, bringing on Alex Gregory for Tom Wood, Noah Smith for Kai Hudson, and Curtis Wright for Harley Jones. This tactical shift aimed to inject fresh energy into the side and was soon rewarded. Just five minutes later, Noah Smith found the back of the net, assisted by Curtis Wright, giving Roach Dynamos a 1-0 lead.
As the first half progressed, Roach Dynamos maintained control, heading into the break with a narrow advantage. The half-time whistle blew at the 40-minute mark, with the home side looking to build on their lead in the second half.
The second half began with a flurry of activity. Walshaw Warriors responded quickly, scoring two goals in the early stages, first in the 51st minute and then again in the 56th, turning the tide and putting Roach Dynamos under pressure. However, the home side remained resolute and made further substitutions in the 61st minute, bringing on Oliver Daniels for Zach Chorlton and Tom Pearson for Billy Watters, aiming to regain their composure.
Roach Dynamos found their rhythm once more, and in the 64th minute, Oliver Daniels scored, with an assist from Kai Hudson, restoring parity at 2-2. Just five minutes later, Daniels struck again, this time also assisted by Hudson, putting Roach Dynamos ahead 3-2.
The momentum shifted decisively in favour of Roach Dynamos, and in the 73rd minute, Zach Chorlton re-entered the fray, replacing Noah Massoudi. Chorlton made an immediate impact, scoring in the 78th minute with an assist from Noah Smith, extending the lead to 4-2. The final blow came in the 80th minute when Harley Jones scored the fifth goal, assisted by Chorlton, sealing a comprehensive victory for Roach Dynamos.
The match concluded with Roach Dynamos Orange U16 emerging victorious with a 5-2 scoreline, demonstrating their attacking flair and resilience in the face of adversity. The performance of Kai Hudson was particularly noteworthy, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match for his contributions throughout the game.
