Corinthian Casuals U12 Fall Short In Thrilling Encounter

In a gripping friendly match at Surrey Sports Park on 7th September 2025, Corinthian Casuals U12 faced off against NPL Protons, ultimately succumbing to a narrow defeat with a final score of 2-3. The match kicked off at 9:30 am, showcasing the talents of both teams in a 9-a-side format that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

Corinthian Casuals lined up in a 3-4-1 formation, designed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for creative play in midfield. Albie Safarty took his position in goal, with a back three comprising Lourenço Afonseca on the right, Freddy Horwood in the centre, and Alfie Vine on the left. The midfield quartet featured Fraser Ross on the right, Archer Edwards and Harvey O’Connor centrally, and Cooper Lund on the left, with Carter Matthews leading the line as the lone striker. This setup aimed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair, particularly through the width provided by the midfielders.

The substitutes for the match included Leo Bradley, who would later make an impact on the game.

The match began with NPL Protons asserting their dominance early on, and they opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a well-placed shot from close range, finding the back of the net with the right foot. Just three minutes later, the Protons doubled their lead, once again capitalising on a defensive lapse from the Casuals, scoring from a similar close-range position.

In a bid to regain control, Corinthian Casuals made a tactical substitution in the 23rd minute, bringing on Leo Bradley for Cooper Lund. This change aimed to inject fresh energy into the side as they sought to mount a comeback. However, NPL Protons continued to press, and in the 26th minute, they scored their third goal, this time with a powerful header from close range, leaving the Casuals trailing 0-3 at half-time.

After the break, Corinthian Casuals made another tactical switch, introducing Cooper Lund back into the fray at the expense of Fraser Ross in the 31st minute. This move was intended to bolster their attacking options as they looked to claw back the deficit.

The Casuals finally found their rhythm in the 38th minute when Leo Bradley, who had only recently come on, scored a crucial goal. He received a short pass from Carter Matthews inside the box and finished with his right foot, bringing the score to 1-3. The momentum shifted further just minutes later, as Bradley struck again in the 51st minute, tapping in from close range with his left foot, narrowing the gap to 2-3.

Despite their spirited fightback, Corinthian Casuals were unable to find an equaliser in the remaining minutes. The match concluded with NPL Protons emerging victorious, having held on to their slender lead. The Casuals can take pride in their resilience and attacking display in the second half, but ultimately, it was not enough to secure a draw in this thrilling encounter.