Saturday Ravens Narrowly Lose 5-4 To Deer Park Rangers U9

Saturday Ravens hosted Deer Park Rangers U9 at Hermitage Rec Ground on 15 November 2025, with kick-off at 10:30am in a seven-a-side cup match. The game was a thrilling encounter that ended in a narrow 5-4 defeat for the home side after 50 minutes of intense football.

Saturday Ravens lined up in a 2-1-3 formation, deploying two central defenders, a central midfielder, and a trio of forwards. Jedd Garrett took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, tasked with organising the defence and making crucial saves. Nicholas Czwartosz and Reggie Dedmen-Ert formed the central defensive partnership, expected to provide solidity and clearances. Arkyn Brown operated in midfield, linking defence and attack while supporting both phases of play. Up front, Jake Whiteman played as left forward, Hugo Evans on the right forward flank, and Walter Hughes led the line as striker. Rueben Allured-Rowley was named as the substitute.

The match began with early activity from both sides. Within two minutes, goalkeeper Jedd Garrett was already called into action, making a save to deny Deer Park Rangers. At the same time, Walter Hughes tested the opposition with an early attempt that went wide. Garrett’s alertness was again on display at the fourth minute, keeping the scoreline level.

The breakthrough came in the fifth minute when Walter Hughes found the net, finishing off a well-worked move set up by an assist from Nicholas Czwartosz. This goal gave Saturday Ravens an early lead and set the tone for an open contest. Garrett continued to be busy, making another save at the seventh minute to keep the home side ahead.

A tactical change followed at the tenth minute as Rueben Allured-Rowley replaced Walter Hughes, injecting fresh energy into the attack. Jake Whiteman showed his defensive commitment with a timely tackle shortly after the substitution. Garrett remained vigilant, making another save at the eleventh minute, while Allured-Rowley’s first attempt for the club narrowly missed, going wide.

Defensively, Reggie Dedmen-Ert was instrumental with two crucial clearances in quick succession at the twelfth and thirteenth minutes, the latter preventing a clear chance for the visitors. Nicholas Czwartosz also contributed defensively at the thirteenth minute, helping to maintain the defensive shape.

Deer Park Rangers responded with a goal in the fifteenth minute, drawing level and signalling a competitive match ahead. Saturday Ravens pushed forward again, with Hugo Evans attempting a shot at the sixteenth minute, though it did not trouble the goalkeeper.

At the nineteenth minute, Allured-Rowley came close to scoring again, hitting the crossbar in a moment of near brilliance. Hugo Evans intercepted an opposition pass at the twentieth minute, demonstrating his defensive work rate. Shortly after, a substitution saw Walter Hughes return to the pitch, replacing Nicholas Czwartosz at the twenty-first minute, signalling a tactical shift.

The substitution paid immediate dividends as Allured-Rowley scored twice in quick succession at the twenty-first and twenty-second minutes, both goals assisted by Arkyn Brown. These strikes put Saturday Ravens back in front and showcased the effective link-up play between midfield and attack. Defensively, Reggie Dedmen-Ert and Hugo Evans continued to break up opposition moves with interceptions, while Nicholas Czwartosz also contributed defensively.

Half-time arrived at the twenty-fifth minute with the score favouring Saturday Ravens. Arkyn Brown tested the opposition goalkeeper with a shot just before the break. Another substitution took place at half-time, with Nicholas Czwartosz replacing Jake Whiteman, adjusting the defensive setup.

The second half saw continued attacking efforts from Saturday Ravens, with Hugo Evans attempting shots at the twenty-seventh and thirtieth minutes, the latter saved by Garrett. Evans also intercepted a pass at the twenty-seventh minute, while Nicholas Czwartosz was active defensively at the twenty-eighth and thirty-first minutes. Jake Whiteman contributed with an interception at the thirtieth minute.

At the thirty-second minute, Nicholas Czwartosz scored to extend the lead, capitalising on the attacking momentum. Reggie Dedmen-Ert made a vital tackle at the thirty-third minute to halt an opposition threat. Garrett remained a key figure, making another save at the thirty-fifth minute.

Reggie Dedmen-Ert intercepted a pass at the thirty-ninth minute, shortly before another substitution saw Jake Whiteman return to the field, replacing Walter Hughes. Garrett was again called into action at the fortieth minute, but Deer Park Rangers equalised immediately, signalling a tense finale.

Saturday Ravens continued to press, with Hugo Evans and Arkyn Brown both attempting shots at the fortieth and forty-first minutes respectively. However, Deer Park Rangers struck again at the forty-third and forty-fifth minutes, taking the lead with two further goals.

At the forty-sixth minute, Walter Hughes replaced Hugo Evans, aiming to spark a late comeback. Despite efforts from Arkyn Brown and Hugo Evans with attempts at the forty-seventh and forty-ninth minutes, Deer Park Rangers added a fifth goal at the forty-seventh minute, sealing the victory.

A late substitution saw Hugo Evans return to the pitch at the forty-eighth minute, replacing Nicholas Czwartosz as Saturday Ravens sought to find a way back into the game.

Despite a valiant effort and four goals scored, Saturday Ravens fell just short in a thrilling cup encounter. Goalkeeper Jedd Garrett, along with Nicholas Czwartosz and Arkyn Brown, were standout performers, providing defensive resilience and creative spark throughout the match. The narrow 5-4 defeat will surely fuel their determination in upcoming fixtures.