Worksop Town Tigers U10s travelled to Phoenix Sports And Recreation on 7 September 2025 for a 10:30am kick-off in a 7-a-side league match against Brinsworth Whitehill Blues. The Tigers fought hard but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat in a closely contested encounter lasting 50 minutes plus injury time.
The Tigers lined up in a 2-3-1 formation, deploying two central defenders, three midfielders across the left, centre and right, and a lone striker up front. Flynn took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, with Oscar and Jack anchoring the defence centrally. The midfield trio consisted of Parker on the left, Nico in the centre, and Archie on the right, tasked with both defensive duties and supporting attacks. Leading the line was striker Harrison, expected to spearhead the Tigers’ offensive efforts. The substitutes available were Rupert, Isaac, Samuel and Lucas.
The match began with the starting 7 on the pitch, but early on, the Tigers made a flurry of substitutions. By the 13th minute, three changes were made simultaneously: Rupert replaced Nico in central midfield, Isaac came on for striker Harrison, and Samuel took over from right midfielder Archie. Shortly after, at the 15th minute mark, Lucas was introduced for left midfielder Parker.
Despite these early tactical adjustments, Brinsworth Whitehill Blues opened the scoring in the 25th minute, taking a 1-0 lead. Immediately following this goal, the Tigers reversed their earlier substitutions, bringing Parker back on for Lucas, Harrison returning to replace Isaac, and Nico reinstated in place of Rupert. Samuel was also substituted off for Archie. This reshuffle restored the original midfield and striking line-up, signalling a renewed approach for the second half.
The first half concluded at the 25-minute mark with the Tigers trailing by a single goal. The Blues then extended their advantage in the second half, scoring again in the 35th minute to make it 2-0. Five minutes later, in the 40th minute, the visitors found the net once more, stretching their lead to 3-0 and putting the Tigers under significant pressure.
However, Worksop Town Tigers showed resilience and began to fight back. In the 43rd minute, Lucas, who had earlier been substituted off, made a telling impact by scoring a long-range strike from outside the box with his left foot. This goal injected some much-needed momentum into the Tigers’ play.
The Tigers continued to press and were rewarded again in the 48th minute when Lucas scored his second goal of the match. This time, the goal came from a well-executed team move, with an incisive long pass from Rupert setting up the finish. The strike narrowed the deficit to 3-2 and set up a tense finale.
Despite their efforts, Worksop Town Tigers were unable to find an equaliser before the final whistle. The match ended 3-2 in favour of Brinsworth Whitehill Blues, a result that reflected the narrow margin and competitive nature of the contest.
The Tigers’ tactical flexibility was evident through the multiple substitutions, particularly in midfield and attack, as they sought to find the right balance and spark. Lucas contribution after coming off the bench was a highlight, providing both goals and a spark of hope late in the game. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Flynn and the defensive pairing of Oscar and Jack worked hard to contain the Blues’ attacks but ultimately conceded three times.
Overall, the match showcased the determination of Worksop Town Tigers U10s despite the defeat, with moments of quality and promising individual performances hinting at potential for future fixtures. Parents player of the match = Lucas Manager man of the match = Archie
