IT WAS a tough battle on the pitch as Wellington U9s travelled to Launceston to take on Plymouth Argyle Development Squad. Despite the challenging conditions, the young Wellington side put up a valiant effort, showcasing their resilience and adaptability throughout the hard-fought encounter.

Without a recognised goalkeeper in their lineup, Wellington had to get creative, with Fraser May, Harrison Thompson, Jude Norman and Riley Lloyd each taking turns between the sticks for a quarter of the game. While it was an unfamiliar position for some, they all stepped up and did their best to keep the opposition at bay. The no-retreat rule proved to be a challenge for Wellington, but they quickly adjusted their tactics and began to find their rhythm, playing some impressive football at times. Jack Jorge scored his customary goals, netting a well-deserved hat-trick on his return to the team. Although Wellington ultimately fell to a 6-3 defeat, there were plenty of positives to take away from the match. The young side demonstrated their ability to adapt to new situations, learn on the fly, and never gave up in the face of a well organised opponent. The experience of playing against a tough Plymouth team will undoubtedly serve Wellington well as they continue to develop and improve.