Corinthian Casuals U12 Draw With Banstead Village U12 Hawks

In a thrilling friendly encounter at Banstead Village FC on 31 August 2025, Corinthian Casuals U12 faced off against Banstead Village U12 Hawks, with the match concluding in a dramatic 2-2 draw. The game was a showcase of youthful talent, culminating in a penalty shootout that saw the hosts emerge victorious with a score of 5-3.

Corinthian Casuals lined up in a 3-4-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for fluid attacking play. Albie Safarty took his position in goal, shielded by a back three comprising Freddy Horwood in the centre, flanked by Lourenço Afonseca on the right and Alfie Vine on the left. The midfield quartet featured Leo Bradley on the right, Cooper Lund on the left, with Archer and Thomas Albuquerque operating centrally. Up front, Carter Matthews was tasked with leading the line as the striker, looking to convert chances into goals.

The match kicked off with both teams eager to assert their dominance. However, it was Corinthian Casuals who made the first significant impact. In the 11th minute, a tactical substitution saw Cody replace Leo Bradley, aiming to inject fresh energy into the midfield.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Carter Matthews found the net, expertly converting a back-heeled assist from Thomas Albuquerque with his left foot from close range. The Casuals were buoyed by this early goal, but their lead was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Banstead Village responded emphatically, equalising with a strike from outside the box after a poor defensive pass.

As the first half drew to a close, the score stood at 1-1, with both teams displaying commendable attacking intent. The referee signalled half-time after 30 minutes of competitive play, leaving the players to regroup and strategise for the second half.

The second half commenced with renewed vigour, and it was Archer who put Corinthian Casuals back in front in the 34th minute. He unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area, catching the Banstead goalkeeper off guard and sending the Casuals fans into raptures.

However, the lead was again short-lived. In the 54th minute, Banstead Village struck back, equalising once more with another effort from outside the box, following a defensive fumble. The match ended in a 2-2 stalemate after 60 minutes of play, leading to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.

In the shootout, Banstead Village proved to be the more clinical side, converting five penalties to Corinthian Casuals' three, thus sealing a hard-fought victory. Despite the disappointment of the shootout, Archer was recognised for his outstanding performance, earning the accolade of Player of the Match for his pivotal goal and overall contribution to the game.