08/09/2026
⚽ DUFC Sharks U14s 1 v 6 Heavitree U14s ⚽
The Sharks welcomed Heavitree for the first fixture of the season. It’s always an eventful one against Heavitree, and today was no different!
The game started evenly, with the Sharks probably edging it in possession and frustrating Heavitree for the opening 10–15 minutes. Albie, Reuben and Oskar were controlling things in the middle of the park, and we created a couple of decent openings, getting the ball out wide to Jay and Rocky, but just couldn’t find that finishing touch.
Against the run of play, Heavitree won a corner and scored directly from it to make it 0–1. Really unlucky based on how well the kids had played in the opening 20 minutes.
More good play through the middle then found Logan through on goal, where it looked like the Heavitree defender came through him from behind. The referee didn’t see it that way, though, and Heavitree went straight down the other end, played a ball over the top and made it 0–2. A harsh one and definitely a turning point in the game.
The half finished 0–3, which really didn’t reflect the performance from the kids.
Into the second half and again, there wasn’t much between the two sides. Things got a little feisty at times, but it was Heavitree who struck again to make it 0–4.
Leo, Scar, Larry and Jack B were superb throughout, fighting for every ball and doing everything they could to protect Maisie in goal. Maisie herself pulled off some great saves and distributed the ball really well.
With only one sub and some unexpected heat, the Sharks kept battling and continued to create chances, but we just couldn’t find that finishing touch. Heavitree took advantage at the other end and moved 0–5 ahead.
The best thing to see, though, was that the Sharks never stopped. They kept going, kept battling and finally got the goal their performance deserved. A free-kick was won from range and up stepped Oskar who, as he’s done before, popped it into the back of the net. 1–5! ⚽️
From a corner, we almost had a second, when the ball came out to Jack C but he just didn’t quite get the connection he wanted. Heavitree managed to sneak one more in before the end to make it 1–6, and that’s how it finished.
There were some standout performances across the pitch.
Reuben was brilliant in midfield – battled really well, was aggressive when he needed to be and kept the ball ticking over with simple, effective passing.
Jack B again proved how important he is in that CDM role, mopping things up, winning challenges and constantly making life difficult for Heavitree’s strong and pacy front line.
Player of the Match went to Albs!
He had a great battle throughout with Heavitree’s strongest midfielder and often came out on top. He was excellent both on and off the ball, competed for everything and worked incredibly hard from start to finish.
The scoreline might suggest a thumping, but the game itself was far from that. The kids were brilliant today against one of the strongest sides in Division One.
Plenty of positives to take from our first game of the season, and if we keep playing and battling like that, the results will come.
Onto the next one…
Stoke Hill away 💪🏼⚽️🦈
