In a thrilling league encounter at Bruche Primary School on 18 May 2025, Woolston Rovers Thundercats secured a commanding 5-2 victory against Sankey Strikers U11 Girls. The match kicked off at 9:00 am, showcasing the talents of both teams in a competitive 9-a-side format.
Woolston Rovers adopted a 3-4-1 formation, with Tilly Rex stationed as the goalkeeper. The defensive line comprised Nellie Proctor on the right, Martha Darnton in the centre, and Amelia Searle on the left. The midfield was bolstered by Lexie Davies on the right, Ruby Lawton and Izzy Acklam-Davies centrally, and Lyla Carr on the left. Up front, Robyn Wilkinson led the attack as the sole striker. This setup allowed for a balanced approach, with the midfielders expected to support both defence and attack, while the striker aimed to convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for the match included Heidi Whaley, Meah Lee, and Jess Evans, providing additional options for the Thundercats as the game progressed.
The match began with an explosive start, as Lexie Davies opened the scoring for Woolston Rovers just four minutes in, assisted by Robyn Wilkinson. The Thundercats quickly doubled their lead in the ninth minute when Wilkinson found the back of the net, with Davies providing the assist. However, the Sankey Strikers responded swiftly, scoring by an own goal just a minute later, bringing the score to 2-1.
As the game continued, the Sankey Strikers found their rhythm and equalised in the 18th minute, making it 2-2. The Thundercats, undeterred, pressed forward, with Lexie Davies attempting a shot in the 22nd minute, but it was saved by the Strikers' goalkeeper.
The first half concluded with the score level at 2-2, but not before a series of substitutions for Woolston Rovers. Heidi Whaley replaced Izzy Acklam-Davies in the 15th minute, followed by Meah Lee and Jess Evans coming on for Robyn Wilkinson and Nellie Proctor, respectively, in the 22nd minute.
The second half saw immediate changes, with Izzy Acklam-Davies returning to the pitch just after the break, replacing Martha Darnton. The Thundercats regained their lead in the 40th minute when Whaley scored, only to be substituted off for Darnton due to injury moments later.
The momentum shifted back in favour of Woolston Rovers as Izzy Acklam-Davies scored again in the 42nd minute, extending their lead to 4-2. Lexie Davies then made her return to the field in the 49th minute, replacing Lyla Carr, as the Thundercats looked to solidify their advantage.
Davies capped off a stellar performance by scoring her second goal of the match in the 55th minute, bringing the score to 5-2. The final substitutions saw Ruby Lawton come on for Jess Evans and Lyla Carr replacing Meah Lee in the closing moments of the match.
The referee's performance was exemplary, contributing to a well-managed game that allowed both teams to showcase their skills. Woolston Rovers Thundercats emerged victorious, demonstrating their attacking prowess and resilience throughout the match, while Sankey Strikers U11 Girls fought valiantly but ultimately fell short.
