On Saturday 27 September 2025, Squires Gate Under 9 hosted Clifton Rangers Stingers at Blackpool in a lively 7-a-side league encounter, kicking off promptly at 10:00am. The home side produced a commanding display to secure an emphatic 11-3 triumph after 50 minutes of action plus added time.
Squires Gate lined up in a 1-3-2 formation, with Oscar G guarding the goal as goalkeeper. The defensive line featured Hudson W as the central defender, tasked with organising the back and breaking up attacks. Ahead of him, the midfield duo consisted of Tino SJ in central midfield, orchestrating play, and Arlo S on the left midfield, expected to provide width and support both defence and attack. The forward line was spearheaded by Louis C on the right and Seth A on the left, both charged with leading the offensive thrust and converting chances. Benji B started on the right midfield role. The substitutes available were Theo U and Jack M.
The match burst into life within the opening five minutes as Seth A opened the scoring in the 4th minute, slotting home from inside the box following a precise assist from Tino SJ. Just two minutes later, Tino SJ returned the favour, finishing a slick team move with an assured strike, assisted by Seth A, to double the home side’s advantage.
Clifton Rangers Stingers responded with a close-range goal in the 10th minute, cutting the deficit and injecting some urgency into the contest. However, Squires Gate’s fluidity and attacking intent remained undiminished. At the 13th minute mark, Benji B was replaced by Theo U, signalling an early tactical tweak.
The home side restored their two-goal cushion in the 18th minute when Benji B, back on the scoresheet despite his earlier substitution, tapped in from a corner delivered expertly by Tino SJ. Shortly after, Jack M came on for Louis C in the 19th minute, only for Louis C to return to the pitch , replacing Theo U, indicating some swift rotation among the substitutes.
Louis C wasted no time making an impact, scoring a close-range goal with his left foot in the 21st minute after a clever flick assist from Seth A. Clifton Rangers Stingers struck again in the 22nd minute from outside the box, narrowing the gap once more. Yet, Squires Gate responded immediately as Seth A netted from close range, guided home with a right-footed finish following a short pass from Tino SJ.
Tino SJ continued to impress, scoring from outside the box in the 25th minute after a short pass from Seth A, just before the half-time whistle. The first half ended with Squires Gate firmly in control at 7-3, showcasing their attacking prowess and midfield dominance.
The second half saw no let-up from the home side. Louis C scored a solo goal in the 27th minute, breaking away and finishing clinically after receiving a long pass from Tino SJ. Seth A added another goal in the 38th minute, firing in from outside the area following a neat short pass from Tino SJ.
Clifton Rangers Stingers managed to pull one back in the 40th minute through a well-worked team move, but Squires Gate’s relentless pressure continued. Tino SJ struck again in the 43rd minute, scoring from outside the box after a cross from Seth A, further extending the lead.
Seth A then capitalised on a corner from Tino SJ to add yet another goal in the 45th minute, demonstrating his clinical finishing from set-piece situations. The final goal of the match came in the 50th minute when Louis C converted a corner delivered by Tino SJ, rounding off an impressive attacking display.
Throughout the match, Tino SJ’s vision and passing were pivotal, consistently setting up teammates and scoring crucial goals himself. Seth A’s movement and finishing proved equally vital, while Louis C’s contributions from the right forward position added variety and threat. Defensively, Hudson W and Oscar G provided a solid foundation, limiting the opponents’ opportunities despite the three goals conceded.
Squires Gate Under 9’s comprehensive 11-3 victory was a testament to their attacking fluidity, tactical discipline, and effective use of substitutions, leaving Clifton Rangers Stingers chasing shadows for much of the contest.
This is a team who are getting better every week and have the rest of the league on notice.
