Stoneygate Lion Juniors Run Riot At Highfield Rangers FC

On 16 November 2025, Stoneygate Lion Juniors travelled to Highfield Rangers FC for a 12:30pm kick-off in a league away fixture against Highfield Rangers U14 Jaguars. The match, played over 70 minutes plus injury time, ended in a resounding 12-1 victory for Stoneygate Lion Juniors, who dominated from start to finish at the home ground of their opponents.

Stoneygate Lion Juniors lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, deploying Neo Routledge in goal. The defensive line consisted of Theo Sebastian at right back, central defenders Harvyn Purewal and Priyan Purshottam, and Hamza Mukadam on the left. The midfield four featured Will Neilson on the right wing, central midfielders Veer Purshottam and Alfie Roberts, and Javyn Purewal on the left wing. Just behind the lone striker Isaac Liburd, attacking midfielder Kabir Sian was tasked with linking midfield and attack. This setup was designed to provide defensive solidity with four at the back, midfield width and creativity, and a focal point up front to capitalise on chances. The substitutes named were Dylan Atkins, Ivan Frimpong, and Oscar Pickering.

The game burst into life early as Kabir Sian opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Receiving a long pass from left back Hamza Mukadam, Sian controlled the ball inside the box and slotted home a close-range finish with his left foot. However, the hosts responded swiftly with a stunning strike of their own two minutes later, firing from outside the area with their right foot to level the scores.

Stoneygate’s defensive plans were tested early, and an injury to central defender Priyan Purshottam in the ninth minute forced an early substitution. Dylan Atkins came on to replace him, ensuring the backline remained intact. The visitors regained the lead in the 14th minute when Isaac Liburd finished off a short pass from Kabir Sian inside the box with a precise right-footed shot from close range.

Momentum continued to build for Stoneygate as Will Neilson doubled the advantage in the 24th minute. Assisted by the newly introduced Dylan Atkins, Neilson found space inside the box and calmly finished with his right foot. A tactical substitution followed immediately, with Ivan Frimpong replacing left midfielder Javyn Purewal to inject fresh energy.

The visitors’ dominance was further emphasised when Hamza Mukadam scored a superb left-footed strike from outside the box in the 28th minute, extending the lead. Just three minutes later, Alfie Roberts capitalised on a corner delivered by Will Neilson, heading or volleying the ball home from close range with his right foot. The scoring spree continued as Isaac Liburd netted again in the 32nd minute, finishing a team move with a short pass assist from Ivan Frimpong.

As the half drew to a close, Stoneygate’s attacking threat remained relentless. Isaac Liburd completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute, once again assisted by Kabir Sian with a short pass inside the box. Tactical changes were made just before half time, with Oscar Pickering replacing Will Neilson and Priyan Purshottam returning to the field in place of Veer Purshottam, signalling a shift in midfield and wide areas.

In the final moments before the break, Isaac Liburd scored his fourth goal, this time from outside the box, following a long pass from Alfie Roberts. The half ended with Stoneygate comfortably in control at 9-1.

The second half saw Neo Routledge add to the tally in the 52nd minute with a remarkable right-footed strike from outside the box, a rare goal for the goalkeeper that underlined the visitors’ dominance. Tactical substitutions continued as Will Neilson returned to the field, replacing striker Isaac Liburd, only for Liburd to come back on shortly after, this time taking the place of central defender Harvyn Purewal.

Kabir Sian struck again in the 56th minute with a powerful long-range effort from outside the box, assisted by Hamza Mukadam’s short pass. Immediately following this, Javyn Purewal was reintroduced for Alfie Roberts, maintaining the team’s attacking impetus.

Oscar Pickering added his name to the scoresheet in the 61st minute with a deft lob finish from close range, assisted by Theo Sebastian’s long pass. The tactical reshuffle continued as Veer Purshottam replaced Kabir Sian in the 64th minute, allowing fresh legs to maintain the tempo.

Will Neilson rounded off the scoring in the 67th minute, converting a goalmouth scramble with a close-range right-footed finish, assisted by Oscar Pickering’s short pass. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 12-1 victory for Stoneygate Lion Juniors, a performance marked by clinical finishing and tactical flexibility.

Hamza Mukadam was deservedly named player of the match for his influential role both defensively and offensively, including two goals and key assists. Stoneygate’s commanding display at Highfield Rangers FC will surely boost their confidence as the league campaign progresses.