Squires Gate Under 9 Narrowly Lose 4-3 To Wren Rovers Blacks

Squires Gate Under 9 hosted Wren Rovers Blacks at Blackpool on 1 November 2025, with kick-off at 11:00am in a keenly contested 7-a-side league encounter. The match lasted 50 minutes plus added time and ended in a 4-3 defeat for the home side.

Squires Gate lined up in a 2-3-1 formation, deploying two central defenders, three midfielders across the right, centre and left, and a lone striker upfront. Oscar G took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper. Hudson W and Arlo S formed the central defensive partnership, tasked with repelling Wren Rovers’ attacks and initiating play from the back. In midfield, Louis C operated on the right, expected to provide width and support both defence and attack, while Tino SJ held the central midfield role, orchestrating play and linking defence with offence. Theo U occupied the left midfield position, charged with balancing defensive duties and delivering crosses. Leading the line was striker Seth A, whose role was to spearhead the attack and convert chances. No substitutes were named for Squires Gate.

The match began with Wren Rovers Blacks taking an early lead in the 13th minute through a goalmouth scramble, capitalising on a loose ball in the penalty area to break the deadlock. Squires Gate responded positively, and just five minutes later, in the 18th minute, Seth A found the net with a composed finish inside the box to level the score.

Momentum swung further in Squires Gate’s favour when Louis C scored a well-worked team goal in the 22nd minute, expertly assisted by Arlo S. This goal showcased the fluidity of the midfield and defensive interplay, with Arlo’s precise pass enabling Louis to finish confidently. Two minutes later, Seth A doubled his tally, again set up by Arlo S, who demonstrated excellent vision and delivery from defence to attack. This put Squires Gate 3-1 ahead just before the half-time whistle at 25 minutes.

The second half saw a determined Wren Rovers Blacks side mount a spirited comeback. They reduced the deficit in the 34th minute with a goal that unsettled the home defence. The visitors’ persistence paid off again in the 43rd minute when a solo effort saw them equalise, showcasing individual skill and pace to bypass Squires Gate’s defenders and goalkeeper Oscar G.

With the match finely poised, Wren Rovers Blacks struck a decisive blow in the 48th minute, scoring their fourth goal to take the lead for the first time since the early stages. Despite Squires Gate’s efforts to respond in the closing minutes, they were unable to find an equaliser, and the game ended 4-3 in favour of the visitors.

Louis C was named player of the match for his influential performance on the right flank, contributing a crucial goal and consistently driving his team forward. His work rate and technical ability stood out in what was a tightly fought contest.

In summary, Squires Gate Under 9 produced a spirited display with notable attacking moments and defensive resilience but ultimately fell short against a determined Wren Rovers Blacks side who capitalised on key moments in the second half to secure the victory.