Cheltenham Town U12 Whites Edge Thrilling 5-4 Cup Defeat At Western Super Mare

Cheltenham Town U12 Whites travelled to Western Super Mare on 20 September 2025 for an 11:15am kick-off in a fiercely contested cup away match against North Somerset Grey. The 9-a-side encounter, lasting 80 minutes plus added time, ended in a narrow 5-4 defeat for Cheltenham in a game packed with goals and numerous substitutions.

Cheltenham lined up in a 3-2-3 formation, deploying three defenders at the back, two central midfielders, and three forwards upfront. Jamie Stinton guarded the goal, with Lewis Pryce operating as left defender, Harry Williams centrally, and Alex Jones on the right. The midfield duo comprised Russ Cresswell and Alfa Ceesay, tasked with controlling the centre of the park and linking defence to attack. Up front, Teddy Hogan took up the left forward role, Jake Werrett led as the striker, and Thomi Schoular featured on the right forward position, expected to provide width and goal threat. The substitutes bench included Charlie Swain, Oscar Jones, Henry White, Rhys Ball, and Flynn Gething.

The match burst into life early on with both sides exchanging goals in the 14th minute. Cheltenham’s right forward Thomi Schoular opened the scoring with a right-footed strike from outside the box, expertly set up by a short pass from striker Jake Werrett. However, North Somerset Grey responded instantly with a close-range tap-in, cancelling out the lead and signalling a high-scoring encounter ahead.

A flurry of substitutions followed at the 21st minute mark, with Cheltenham making wholesale changes. Charlie Swain replaced right defender Alex Jones, Oscar Jones came on for left forward Teddy Hogan, Henry White took over from right forward Thomi Schoular, Rhys Ball entered for central midfielder Alfa Ceesay, and Flynn Gething swapped places with left defender Lewis Pryce. These changes indicated a tactical reshuffle aimed at refreshing the side’s energy and dynamics.

Despite the changes, North Somerset Grey regained the lead in the 34th minute with a well-worked team move finished neatly with a right-footed strike. The first half concluded at the 40-minute mark with Cheltenham trailing, but still very much in the contest.

The second half saw Cheltenham revert some substitutions immediately after the break. Lewis Pryce returned to left defender, replacing Henry White, Alex Jones came back at right defender for Rhys Ball, and Teddy Hogan was reintroduced upfront in place of Harry Williams, who had shifted out of defence. Thomi Schoular also returned on the right forward role, replacing Jake Werrett, while Alfa Ceesay resumed his midfield duties for Russ Cresswell. This rotation suggested an attempt to regain defensive solidity and attacking impetus.

North Somerset Grey extended their advantage in the 60th minute with another right-footed finish, pushing Cheltenham further behind. Cheltenham responded with a series of substitutions around the 61st minute: Rhys Ball replaced Charlie Swain, Russ Cresswell came back on for Flynn Gething, Jake Werrett returned for Lewis Pryce, and Henry White replaced Oscar Jones. Shortly after, Harry Williams returned to defence for Teddy Hogan, who was then brought back on again in the 70th minute for Rhys Ball. Charlie Swain also re-entered the fray for Alex Jones at the same time, reflecting a highly fluid approach to personnel.

North Somerset Grey capitalised on this period of change by scoring again in the 70th minute from close range, their right-footed finish giving them a commanding lead. Cheltenham made further substitutions immediately after, with Oscar Jones replacing Thomi Schoular, Flynn Gething coming on for Alfa Ceesay, and Lewis Pryce returning for Henry White.

The match reached a frenetic climax in the 73rd minute when North Somerset Grey scored from a goalmouth scramble, once again with a right-footed effort from close range. Cheltenham quickly responded through Lewis Pryce, who netted an unusual goal described simply as “other,” signalling a moment of individual skill or opportunism.

The visitors pressed on and pulled another goal back in the 77th minute, with Jake Werrett converting a short pass assist from Lewis Pryce inside the box, slotting home with his left foot. Cheltenham’s fightback continued as Russ Cresswell scored a right-footed goal in the 81st minute, narrowing the deficit to just one goal.

Despite their late surge, Cheltenham Town U12 Whites were unable to find the equaliser, and North Somerset Grey held on to secure a dramatic 5-4 victory. The match was a thrilling display of attacking football and tactical adjustments, with Cheltenham showing resilience and determination but ultimately falling short in a high-scoring cup tie.