Blue FC Suffer Narrow 4-3 Defeat To Green Team In Thrilling 9-A-Side Clash

Blue FC hosted Green Team at their home ground on 2 January 2026, with kick-off at 10:00am in a highly unusual 15-minute league match played under 9-a-side rules. Despite a valiant effort, Blue FC fell just short, losing 4-3 in front of a staggering crowd of 200,000 spectators. The referee for the encounter was Jim Luster, whose performance was adequate but unremarkable.

Blue FC lined up in a 4-3-1 formation, deploying Luke Stevenson in goal. The defensive line consisted of Gary Mask at right defender, Jayden Smith and Danny Shack as central defenders, and Kyle Pez on the left. The midfield trio featured Josh Flowers on the right, Alfie Lot centrally, and Josh Bacled on the left, with Hugo Berkeley leading the line as the lone striker. This setup was designed to provide defensive solidity with four at the back, midfield control through the three central players, and attacking impetus from Berkeley supported by the wide midfielders. No substitutes were named for Blue FC in this fixture.

The match began at a frenetic pace, with Green Team opening the scoring early on in the 5th minute. Their attacker executed a precise lob with the right foot, catching Blue FC’s defence and goalkeeper off guard to put the visitors ahead. The early set back made Blue FC reply in quick fashion.

Blue FC’s response came through their talismanic striker Hugo Berkeley, who was heavily involved throughout. In the 12th minute, Alfie Lot delivered a well-timed cross into the box, which Berkeley met with a diving header from close range to level the score. This goal showcased Berkeley’s aerial prowess and the midfield’s ability to supply quality servic

Soon there was more action, beginning with a remarkable sequence in the 32nd minute when Berkeley scored twice in quick succession. First, he curled a direct free-kick with his left foot from outside the box into the net, demonstrating his technical skill and precision. Moments later, he capitalised on a loose ball to tap in from close range with his right foot, completing a rapid double and putting Blue FC ahead 3-1.

However, Green Team refused to be subdued. They pulled a goal back immediately after the restart at the 46th minute, scoring from close range with a finish described simply as “other,” indicating a perhaps unorthodox or scrappy effort that found the net. This goal reignited the contest and set the stage for a dramatic finale.

Discipline became a factor as the match progressed. Green Team received a yellow card in the 32nd minute for a bad tackle, and later in the 71st minute for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. This second caution was swiftly followed by a red card in the 72nd minute for a second yellow, reducing Green Team to ten men and seemingly giving Blue FC a numerical advantage.

Blue FC’s Berkeley had a chance to extend the lead from the penalty spot at the 72nd minute but was denied by a fine save, missing a crucial opportunity to put the game beyond doubt. This miss proved costly as Green Team capitalised on their resilience.

Just three minutes later, in the 75th minute, Green Team equalised with a diving header from close range, restoring parity despite being a man down. The goal highlighted their determination and aerial threat, keeping the contest alive.

The match extended well beyond the scheduled 90 minutes, with added time pushing the game into the late 90s. In the 98th minute, Green Team struck a stunning long-range strike with their right foot from outside the box to clinch a dramatic 4-3 victory. This late winner was a cruel blow to Blue FC, who had fought hard throughout.

Hugo Berkeley was named player of the match for his outstanding contribution, scoring a hat-trick including a diving header, a direct free-kick, and a close-range tap-in. His efforts kept Blue FC competitive until the final whistle.

In summary, Blue FC’s 4-3 defeat to Green Team was a thrilling encounter marked by rapid goals, disciplinary incidents, and a late winner. Despite the loss, Blue FC showed attacking flair and resilience, with Berkeley’s performance standing out in a memorable, if brief, contest.