Sebastopol AFC U12s travelled to Woodland Road Sports & Social Club on 4 October 2025 for a 12:00pm kick-off against Croesyceiliog AFC in a 9-a-side league encounter. The match lasted 70 minutes plus added time and ended in a 3-2 defeat for Sebastopol in a closely contested affair.
Deploying a 3-4-1 formation, Sebastopol set up with three defenders at the back: Billy Whately on the right, Logan Nash centrally, and Deacon Jeune on the left. The midfield quartet consisted of Tomos Cowley on the right wing, Thomas Evans and Liam Hall occupying the central midfield roles, and Jackson Vallis on the left. Callan Davies led the line as the lone striker, supported just behind by the midfield. Samuel Jones started in goal. This formation was designed to provide defensive solidity with three at the back while allowing width and creativity from the midfield flanks, with Evans expected to orchestrate play centrally and support both defence and attack.
The substitutes named for Sebastopol were Bobby Scard and Jared Jenkins.
The match began with Croesyceiliog taking an early lead in the eighth minute, scoring from close range inside the box after a swift attacking move. Sebastopol responded quickly, and just three minutes later, Callan Davies equalised with a composed finish inside the box, expertly set up by a short pass from Thomas Evans. This early exchange set the tone for a high-tempo encounter.
Croesyceiliog regained the lead in the 22nd minute following a frantic goalmouth scramble, capitalising on a loose ball in the penalty area to slot home from close range. Sebastopol, however, were not to be outdone and found an equaliser themselves in the 28th minute. This time, it was Tomos Cowley who finished off a well-worked team move, converting a left-footed strike from a cross delivered by Thomas Evans, who was proving influential in midfield.
The visitors’ defensive frailties were exposed again in the 34th minute when Croesyceiliog took advantage of a defensive mistake to score their third goal from close range. This goal put Sebastopol on the back foot heading into the break.
At half-time, Sebastopol made a tactical substitution, replacing goalkeeper Samuel Jones with Bobby Scard in the 35th minute, signalling a change in approach for the second half.
The second half saw Sebastopol pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Croesyceiliog’s defence held firm. Another tactical change came in the 60th minute when Jared Jenkins replaced right midfielder Tomos Cowley, aiming to inject fresh energy into the midfield.
Despite their efforts, Sebastopol were unable to find the net again, and the match concluded with Croesyceiliog securing a 3-2 victory. The game was marked by a mixture of attacking flair and defensive lapses, with Thomas Evans standing out for his creativity and assists.
In summary, Sebastopol AFC U12s showed resilience and attacking intent but were ultimately undone by defensive errors and clinical finishing from Croesyceiliog. The narrow defeat at Woodland Road will serve as a learning experience as they look to bounce back in their next league fixture.
