Glebe U9 Jaguars Show Determination Despite Tough Test

Glebe U9 Jaguars travelled to Dulwich Park on 9 November 2025 for their 7-a-side league fixture against a strong London Kickers FC side, kicking off at 11:00am. Despite the 6–0 scoreline, the Jaguars showed real heart, teamwork, and flashes of quality throughout a challenging match.

Glebe set up in a 2-1-3 formation, balancing defensive resilience with attacking ambition. Harrison Elsey was commanding in goal, pulling off several important saves to keep his team in contention and showing real bravery under pressure.

At the back, Mickey Gorringe and George Mansell worked tirelessly to stem wave after wave of London Kickers attacks. Mickey’s determination and never-say-die attitude were a real highlight, while George impressed with solid tackles and calm decision-making, growing stronger as the game went on.

Lewis Whyte battled hard in midfield, covering an incredible amount of ground and making key interceptions to help his side transition from defence to attack. His work rate and willingness to take responsibility in tough moments stood out.

Up front, Freddie Chenery and George Martin both showed intent and creativity, each registering strong attacking efforts that tested the opposition defence. Freddie’s persistence and positive attitude were exemplary, while George looked dangerous whenever he found space out wide. Ben Insall also worked tirelessly on the right, chasing every ball and keeping the defenders under pressure.

Though the match began with two quick goals against the Jaguars, the team never dropped their heads. Instead, they dug in and began to find their rhythm — stringing passes together, communicating better, and showing growing confidence as the game progressed.

The second half saw even more determination from the Glebe side. Harrison produced some brilliant stops, and Mickey continued his indomitable defending, throwing himself into every block. Lewis and George Mansell combined well to snuff out several promising attacks, while Freddie and Martin continued to push for a breakthrough up front.

While the final score didn’t reflect the team’s effort, the match showcased Glebe’s fighting spirit, resilience, and willingness to keep learning — key ingredients for long-term success. Every player gave their all, and there were clear signs of progress despite a difficult result.

The referee’s performance was notably poor, which may have contributed to the early penalty decision and overall flow of the game. With only 30 spectators in attendance, the atmosphere was modest but the result was a clear indication of the gulf in quality on the day.

With valuable lessons learned and plenty of positives to build on, the Glebe U9 Jaguars will take this experience forward as they continue to grow as a team. There’s real potential in this group — and with the same effort and teamwork shown here, better results are surely just around the corner.

Ben Insall picked up MOTM for his tireless work rate, commitment, and relentless pressing from the front. Ben gave absolutely everything for his team, leading by example from start to finish.