In a closely contested league match at Kings Leadership Academy on 7th September 2025, Woolston Rovers Thundercats faced off against Culcheth Athletic U12 Culcheth Lionesses. The Thundercats battled valiantly but ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, with the visitors proving to be a formidable opponent throughout the encounter.
Woolston Rovers adopted a 3-4-1 formation, which saw Tilly Rex stationed in goal, while a trio of defenders—Jess Evans on the right, Martha Darnton in the centre, and Amelia Searle on the left—formed a solid backline. The midfield was anchored by Nellie Proctor and Ruby Lawton in central roles, flanked by Robyn Wilkinson on the right and Lyla Carr on the left. Up front, Meah Lee was tasked with leading the attack as the lone striker. This setup aimed to provide both defensive stability and attacking width, allowing the Thundercats to exploit the flanks while maintaining a strong defensive presence.
The substitutes for the Thundercats included Izzy Acklam-Davies, Lexie Davies, Heidi Whaley, and Emily Ball, who were poised to make an impact as the match progressed.
The match began with a flurry of activity, as Culcheth Athletic struck early, scoring their first goal just five minutes into the game. The Thundercats found themselves on the back foot as the Lionesses doubled their lead only five minutes later, making it 2-0 by the tenth minute. Despite the early setbacks, Woolston Rovers remained resolute, with Ruby Lawton making a crucial tackle shortly after the second goal to prevent further damage.
In a bid to change the momentum, the Thundercats made a double substitution in the 15th minute, bringing on Izzy Acklam-Davies for Amelia Searle and Lexie Davies for Robyn Wilkinson. This tactical shift aimed to inject fresh energy into the midfield and bolster their attacking options. Izzy quickly made her presence felt, contributing defensively by making a timely intervention in the 20th minute.
The Thundercats continued to press for a breakthrough, and in the 30th minute, the referee signalled half-time, with the scoreline reading 2-0 in favour of Culcheth Athletic. The second half commenced with renewed hope for Woolston Rovers, who made a further substitution just after the break, bringing Jess Evans back on for Ruby Lawton.
In the 36th minute, Lexie Davies came close to scoring, striking the crossbar with a powerful effort that left the Thundercats fans on the edge of their seats. Lyla Carr also had her chances, firing wide twice in quick succession, first in the 40th minute and again in the 43rd minute, as Woolston Rovers sought to claw their way back into the match.
The Thundercats finally found the back of the net in the 52nd minute, as Robyn Wilkinson scored a well-timed goal, assisted by Lexie Davies' precise cross. This goal ignited hope among the home supporters, narrowing the deficit to 2-1.
However, the Thundercats' momentum was briefly halted when Lexie Davies missed a penalty just after the restart of the second half, hitting the post in the 46th minute. Despite this setback, Woolston Rovers continued to push forward, with Meah Lee testing the Culcheth goalkeeper in the 57th minute, but her effort was saved.
As the match drew to a close, Woolston Rovers Thundercats fought valiantly but were unable to find an equaliser, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat. The performance of Martha Darnton and Lexie Davies stood out, earning them recognition as players of the match for their contributions throughout the game.
