Witham Friary U13 Thrash Heytesbury & Codford FC U13 8-0

In a commanding display at the West Woodlands Showground on 10th November 2024, Witham Friary U13 secured a resounding 8-0 victory over Heytesbury & Codford FC U13 in their League Cup 2nd Round match. The game kicked off at 2:00 pm and showcased Witham's attacking prowess, leaving their opponents struggling to keep pace throughout the encounter.

Witham Friary adopted a 3-2-3-2 formation, which allowed them to dominate both the midfield and attacking third. Finlay Patrick stood firm in goal, while a back three of Max Norris, Jahmiah Harding, and Dempsey Matthews provided a solid defensive foundation. Zak Daniels and Dylan Turner operated as central midfielders, tasked with linking defence and attack. The attacking trio comprised Ethan Oatley on the right, Archie Hansford in the centre, and Sullivan Collis on the left, with Oscar Contini and Cristiano Do Amaral Vanzil leading the line as forwards. The substitutes included Seth Taylor, who would later make an impactful appearance.

The match began with an explosive start as Ethan Oatley opened the scoring just three minutes in, finishing off a well-placed assist from Cristiano Do Amaral Vanzil. Witham's early goal set the tone for the match, and they quickly doubled their lead in the eighth minute when Zak Daniels found the back of the net, showcasing their attacking intent.

Cristiano Do Amaral Vanzil then got on the scoresheet himself in the 17th minute, further extending Witham's lead and leaving Heytesbury & Codford FC U13 reeling. The relentless pressure continued, and in the 26th minute, Archie Hansford capitalised on another assist from Do Amaral Vanzil, slotting home to make it 4-0 before the half-time break.

As the first half drew to a close a tactical change was made that would soon pay dividends. Just five minutes later, in the 33rd minute, Taylor marked his introduction with a goal, adding to the growing tally and demonstrating Witham's depth in attacking options.

The second half commenced with Witham leading 5-0, and they showed no signs of easing off. Taylor struck again in the 40th minute, netting his second goal and pushing the scoreline to an emphatic 6-0.

Witham's goalkeeper, Finlay Patrick, joined the scoring spree in the 54th minute with a penalty, a rare feat for a keeper, as he found the net, much to the delight of the home crowd. Oscar Contini capped off the scoring in the 62nd minute, sealing an impressive 8-0 victory for Witham Friary U13.

The referee's performance was commendable, contributing to a well-managed match that allowed the game to flow. Witham's dominant display not only showcased their attacking capabilities but also highlighted their defensive solidity, leaving Heytesbury & Codford FC U13 with much to ponder as they exited the cup competition.