Tenisons III Dominate Polytechnic 5th In 6-2 Cup Rout

On 11 October 2025, Tenisons III welcomed Polytechnic 5th to Old Tenisonians Third for a 1:30pm kick-off in a fiercely contested cup tie. The home side emerged emphatically victorious, running out 6-2 winners after a commanding display over the full 90 minutes.

Tenisons III lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, deploying a balanced setup designed to control midfield and exploit wide areas. Fergus Smith took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper, shielded by a back four of Lewis Langham at right back, central defenders Josh Hannon and Dre Robinson, and Christian Hall on the left. The double pivot in central midfield featured Liam Mepham alongside Sean Smith, tasked with both defensive duties and linking play forward. Ahead of them, the attacking trio consisted of Sahr Gbembo on the right wing, Melvin Osadolor centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Matthew Sunday on the left flank. Leading the line was striker Jake Kelly, expected to spearhead the attack and convert chances created by the midfield.

CJ was named alongside player manager Gregg Burroughs as substitutes for Tenisons III on this occasion.

The match burst into life almost immediately as Tenisons III took the lead in the second minute. Melvin Osadolor capitalised on a well-delivered set piece, expertly assisted by Sean Smith, to open the scoring and set the tone for the afternoon. The home side’s early dominance was further emphasised when Osadolor doubled his tally in the 13th minute, this time finishing a neat tap-in following a precise pass from Sahr Gbembo.

Polytechnic 5th managed to pull one back in the 24th minute, briefly halting Tenisons III’s momentum. However, the hosts responded swiftly with Gbembo himself finding the net six minutes later, assisted by Osadolor, restoring their two-goal cushion. The pressure continued to mount on the visitors as Matthew Sunday added a fourth goal in the 37th minute, showcasing his ability to cut inside from the left and finish clinically.

Just before the interval, Gbembo struck again in the 43rd minute, ensuring Tenisons III went into the break with a commanding 5-1 lead. The home side’s fluid attacking play and solid defensive organisation had left Polytechnic 5th chasing shadows for much of the first half.

The second half saw Polytechnic 5th attempt to claw back some respectability, scoring in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit to 5-2. Yet Tenisons III remained composed and continued to press forward. Gbembo completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute, sealing a comprehensive 6-2 victory for the hosts.

Throughout the match, Tenisons III’s 4-2-3-1 formation proved highly effective. The full-backs, Langham and Hall, provided width and defensive solidity, while the central defenders Hannon and Robinson marshalled the backline with discipline. Mepham and Sean Smith controlled the midfield battleground, enabling the attacking trio to flourish. Osadolor’s creativity and goal threat were pivotal, linking play and scoring twice early on. Gbembo’s pace and directness on the right wing caused constant problems for Polytechnic 5th, rewarded with a hat-trick. Sunday’s contribution from the left added further variety to the home side’s attack, and Kelly’s presence up front helped to occupy defenders and create space.

Tenisons III’s clinical finishing and cohesive team performance ensured they advanced comfortably in the cup, leaving Polytechnic 5th to rue missed opportunities and defensive lapses. The emphatic 6-2 scoreline reflected a dominant display from the hosts at Old Tenisonians Third.