Corinthian Casuals U12 Hold NPL Youth U12 Fusion To Draw Before Penalty Triumph

Corinthian Casuals U12 welcomed NPL Youth U12 Fusion to their home ground, Corinthian, on the morning of 12 October 2025 for a fiercely contested cup match. Kick-off was at 10:00am, with both sides locked at 1-1 after 60 minutes of nine-a-side football. The deadlock was eventually broken in a tense penalty shootout, where Corinthian Casuals edged out NPL Youth 5-4 to progress.

The Casuals lined up in a 3-4-1 formation, deploying three defenders at the back, four midfielders across the middle, and a lone striker leading the line. Albie Safarty took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper. The defensive trio consisted of Lourenço Afonseca at right defender, Freddy Horwood centrally, and Alfie Vine on the left. The midfield quartet featured Leo Bradley on the right, Archer Edwards and Harvey O’Connor centrally, and Cooper Lund on the left. Carter Matthews was tasked with spearheading the attack as the sole striker. The formation was designed to provide solidity at the back while allowing the midfielders to support both defence and attack, with the striker expected to capitalise on chances created. Thomas Albuquerque and Fraser Ross were named as substitutes.

The match began with Corinthian Casuals showing intent, but the first significant change came in the 20th minute when Thomas Albuquerque replaced Leo Bradley on the right side of midfield, and Fraser Ross came on for striker Carter Matthews. These early substitutions suggested a tactical tweak to inject fresh legs and perhaps more attacking impetus.

At half-time, the score remained goalless, but the game was far from settled. Immediately after the break, two more substitutions were made: Leo Bradley returned to the right midfield position, replacing Cooper Lund, while Carter Matthews was reinstated as striker, coming on for Archer Edwards. This reshuffle aimed to restore the original attacking balance and midfield width.

The second half saw further changes at the interval, with Cooper Lund coming back on for Fraser Ross on the left midfield, and Archer Edwards replacing Lourenço Afonseca at right defender. These adjustments indicated a desire to refresh the defensive line and midfield dynamics as the match intensified.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 54th minute when NPL Youth U12 Fusion took the lead with a close-range header. The goal came from a well-delivered cross, which the opponents’ attacker met with a precise header, leaving Safarty with little chance. This put Corinthian Casuals on the back foot and raised the stakes for the remainder of the match.

Corinthian Casuals responded with determination and were rewarded in the 60th minute when Harvey O’Connor unleashed a stunning long-range strike with his right foot. The goal was set up by a neat short pass from Freddy Horwood, who found O’Connor in space. The shot was a true screamer, flying past the goalkeeper and restoring parity at a crucial moment.

With the score tied at 1-1 after the regulation 60 minutes plus added time, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. In a nail-biting finish, Corinthian Casuals held their nerve to win 5-4, sealing their progression in the cup.

Freddy Horwood, playing at central defender, was named player of the match for his commanding presence at the heart of the defence and his vital contributions throughout the game. His leadership and composure helped keep the team organised against a strong NPL Youth side.

The referee’s performance was steady, managing the flow of the game with a rating of 60, ensuring the match remained competitive and fair. The modest crowd of 25 witnessed a thrilling encounter full of tactical adjustments and spirited play from both sides.

Corinthian Casuals U12 showed resilience and quality in equal measure, ultimately prevailing in the shootout after a pulsating 1-1 draw against NPL Youth U12 Fusion at Corinthian.