Bowers & Pitsea U15 Whites Triumph 3-1 At Apex Playing Field

On 30 November 2025, Bowers & Pitsea U15 Whites travelled to Apex Playing Field to face Hawkwell Athletic Y U15 Blacks in a keenly contested league away fixture, kicking off at 12:15pm. The Whites emerged victorious with a 3-1 scoreline after 80 minutes of action plus added time, much to the delight of the 60-strong crowd.

Bowers & Pitsea set up in a 3-4-3 formation, deploying a back three of Rhys Hughes on the right, Marcus Stanbury centrally, and Sebastian Cenciu on the left. The midfield quartet featured Benjamine Smith on the right flank, Huey Huckle and Cory Jennings occupying the central midfield roles, and Luca Cepoi on the left. Upfront, the attacking trio consisted of Mattie Bristow on the right, Oliver Wakeling leading as striker, and Lewis Baber on the left. Stanley Martin-Gardener guarded the goal. The substitutes bench included Marvellous Nbubueze, Liam Stroud, and James Holgate, ready to impact proceedings if called upon.

The match began with Bowers & Pitsea looking to assert their attacking intent through their wide midfielders and forwards, aiming to exploit the flanks and create chances from set pieces and crosses. The three-man defence was tasked with containing Hawkwell Athletic’s forward threats while allowing the wing-backs to support the midfield and attack.

Early into the first half, a tactical switch was made when Marvellous Nbubueze replaced Oliver Wakeling in the 23rd minute, signalling a shift in attacking options. This substitution paid immediate dividends as just three minutes later, Nbubueze capitalised on a corner delivered by Benjamine Smith. The corner led to a frantic goalmouth scramble, with Nbubueze expertly finishing from close range with his right foot to open the scoring for the Whites.

Hawkwell Athletic responded with determination and managed to find an equaliser in the 35th minute. The goal came from outside the box and was described as a fluke, suggesting a fortunate strike that caught the Bowers & Pitsea defence and goalkeeper Stanley Martin-Gardener off guard. Despite this setback, the Whites maintained their composure going into the half-time interval at the 40-minute mark.

The second half saw Bowers & Pitsea regain control, with Benjamine Smith once again influential from a set-piece situation. In the 58th minute, Smith delivered another corner that found central midfielder Huey Huckle in the box, who neatly finished with his right foot to restore the lead. Huckle’s goal was a well-executed strike from close range, demonstrating his ability to arrive late in the box and convert chances.

Shortly after, tactical substitutions began to reshape the team’s dynamics. Liam Stroud came on for Luca Cepoi in the 60th minute, followed by James Holgate replacing right defender Rhys Hughes in the 68th minute. Then, in the 70th minute, Oliver Wakeling returned to the pitch, substituting for left forward Lewis Baber, adding fresh legs to the attacking line.

The Whites sealed their victory in the 75th minute when Marvellous Nbubueze once again found the net. Assisted by a precise cross from central midfielder Cory Jennings, Nbubueze finished from close range with his right foot amid another goalmouth scramble, securing a decisive 3-1 lead.

Throughout the match, Huey Huckle’s midfield performance stood out, earning him the player of the match accolade. His ability to control the central areas, link play, and contribute crucially to the scoreline was pivotal in Bowers & Pitsea’s success.

In summary, Bowers & Pitsea U15 Whites executed their 3-4-3 formation effectively, combining solid defensive organisation with incisive attacking play, particularly from set pieces and wide areas. The timely substitutions injected energy and creativity, culminating in a well-deserved league victory away from home.