Despite a strong build-up in recent weeks, including a morale-boosting win against an older U16 squad, the Friary U14 boys faced a tough defeat this week against King Edwards. The match was always going to be an uphill battle, with several players absent, a last-minute reshuffle in positions, and no substitutes available.
One bright spot in the lineup was Elliott Trent, stepping in as the new goalkeeper for the U14s. His debut was nothing short of impressive, pulling off a string of crucial saves and maintaining strong communication with his teammates throughout the match.
By half-time, Friary found themselves trailing 2-0. The boys looked deflated, struggling to find rhythm and momentum. King Edwards capitalised early in the second half, adding a third goal and tightening their grip on the game.
Despite the scoreline, Friary showed heart in the final stages. The team began to come alive with some elegant runs into the D, though their shots narrowly missed the mark. Then came a moment to remember: a loose ball broke through the King Edwards defence and landed at the feet of Oli Anderson on the halfway line. With blistering pace, he sprinted past two defenders and found himself one-on-one with the keeper. Calm and composed, Oli slotted the ball home—earning praise from both the opposition and the umpire for what was arguably the goal of the match.
Head coach Kim Fallows shared her thoughts post-match: “We were all disappointed after a great couple of weeks of training and a win against U16s the week before. Seeing the strength of the team was fantastic, but there is some frustration that some key players were missing. Even so, well-done boys for battling on and getting the best goal of the match.”
Jack Stainforth earned Player of the Match for his exceptional short corner execution and precision in firing the ball out of the D. His technical skill and consistency were a highlight in an otherwise tough outing.
