On the 15th of March 2025, football enthusiasts gathered at Tudor Grange Academy, Cooks Lane, Birmingham, to witness a captivating league fixture between Armada FC and Arden Forest FC. The match unfolded under overcast skies, with temperatures hovering around 4°C, creating a crisp and invigorating atmosphere for the players and spectators alike. The encounter was officiated by referee Ryan Hoey.

First Half
The game commenced with both teams displaying aggressive intent. Within the initial minutes, Arden Forest FC committed fouls at the 2nd and 4th minutes, indicating Armada FC's early pressure. However, it was Arden Forest who struck first, finding the back of the net in the 6th minute, capitalising on a momentary lapse in Armada's defence.

Undeterred, Armada FC intensified their efforts. Midfielder Zahid was fouled in the 10th minute, reflecting the physical nature of the contest. Arden Forest's repeated infringements continued, with fouls recorded in the 11th and 13th minutes. Armada's forward, Francis, had a shot blocked in the 14th minute, showcasing the team's attacking aspirations.

The 15th minute saw Hashir narrowly miss a scoring opportunity, followed by a corner taken by Francis. Francis remained a constant threat, missing another attempt in the 17th minute. Arden Forest's defensive discipline waned, committing additional fouls in the 19th, 21st, and 22nd minutes. Despite a corner for Arden Forest in the 23rd minute, Armada FC's resilience paid off when Francis netted an equaliser in the 26th minute, igniting the home crowd.

The intensity persisted with Arden Forest's fouls in the 28th and 33rd minutes. They regained the lead in the 34th minute with a well-executed goal. Armada FC continued to press, earning a corner in the 45th +4th minute, but couldn't convert before halftime.

Second Half
The second half mirrored the first in fervour. Francis had a shot saved in the 48th minute, and Zahid's corner in the 52nd minute led to a missed attempt by Erinfolami. Arden Forest's corner in the 53rd minute was thwarted by Armada's defence. Midfielder Al-Hussain's shot was saved in the 55th minute, amidst Arden Forest's persistent fouling in the 55th and 57th minutes.

Arden Forest earned a corner in the 60th minute, but Armada's defence remained steadfast. Zahid was fouled again in the 63rd minute, underscoring the match's physicality. Arden Forest's corner in the 66th minute posed no threat. Armada's forward, Pardale, had a shot saved in the 67th minute, followed by Hashir's attempt in the 68th minute, leading to a corner taken by Francis. Pardale missed another chance in the same minute.

Arden Forest extended their lead in the 75th minute. Armada responded with a substitution: Al-Hussain off for Muyiwa Olaloko at 75:20. Arden Forest's foul in the 76th minute led to a corner for Armada in the 79th minute, with Hashir's shot saved in the 80th minute. Arden Forest's fouls in the 82nd and 84th minutes highlighted their attempts to disrupt Armada's rhythm. Francis's shot was saved in the 84th minute, and Zahid was fouled again in the 85th minute, prompting a substitution: Amon Tonui off for Hassan Khan at 85:08.

Arden Forest's fouls in the 87th and 88th minutes culminated in a dramatic finale. In the 90th minute, Kosisochukwu scored for Armada FC, narrowing the deficit. Despite Hashir's blocked shot and subsequent corner in the 90th +1st minute, and Kosisochukwu's missed attempt in the 90th +5th minute, the match concluded with a 3-2 victory for Arden Forest FC.

Match Statistics
Armada FC exhibited a commendable attacking approach, registering 13 shots with a conversion rate of approximately 15.4%, resulting in two goals. The team earned six corners and seven free kicks, reflecting their offensive pressure and ability to draw fouls. With 114 completed passes, Armada FC demonstrated a strategy of building from the back. Possession statistics indicate 44% overall possession, distributed as 34% in defence, 44% in midfield, and 22% in attack. Notably, Armada FC improved their possession game by 4%, increased their goal tally by one, attempted one more shot than previous matches, and enhanced their conversion ratio by an additional 5%.

POST MATCH STATEMENTS
Manager's Statement
"Today's match showcased our team's resilience and attacking prowess. We created numerous opportunities and maintained pressure throughout the game. However, defensive lapses at critical moments cost us dearly. Moving forward, we must focus on tightening our defensive structure while maintaining our offensive momentum. Kudos to our defence for their relentless efforts, our goal scorers for their clinical finishing, and a special mention to our star player, Pardale, whose performance was inspiring."

Captain's Statement
"I'm immensely proud of the team's effort today. We fought hard and showcased our quality on the ball, but unfortunately, we fell just short. The spirit and determination from the squad were evident, and we will take the positives into our next fixture. The key lesson is to remain switched on in crucial defensive moments and make our chances count. Huge credit to our goal scorers, Francis and Kosisochukwu, for their composure in front of goal. We regroup, refocus, and go again!"

Star Player & Goal Scorers – Recognition & Praise
Star Player – Lambros Pardale
Pardale was at the heart of Armada FC’s attacking play, leading the line with passion and determination. His work rate, vision, and ability to create chances were outstanding. A true leader on the pitch, he inspired those around him with his commitment to the game. Well played, Lambros – a performance to be proud of!

Goal Scorers
R Francis – A brilliant finish in the 26th minute, showcasing his knack for being in the right place at the right time. Francis's energy and creativity were instrumental in keeping Armada FC on the front foot.

Kosisochukwu – A late goal that gave Armada FC hope in the dying moments of the match. His determination and ability to find the net under pressure were commendable. Keep going, Kosisochukwu – more goals to come!

Referee’s Performance
Referee Ryan Hoey attempted to manage a fiercely competitive match but ultimately failed to provide the level of protection required for the players’ safety. The biggest concern was his inability to control dangerous play, which put both sets of players at risk. While refereeing is a challenging job, especially in a physical game, his inconsistent decision-making left both teams frustrated and confused.

Soft fouls were penalised, while blatant fouls with intent to harm were ignored. Throughout the match, attempts were made to engage the referee in discussion regarding these concerns, but he remained unresponsive. Even the opposition captain expressed similar concerns, yet no adjustments were made in his officiating.

A particularly alarming example occurred when an Armada FC player committed a foul on an Arden Forest centre-back. In response, the opposition player openly stated his intention to retaliate with a dangerous challenge in the next phase of play and supporters were also agreeing to get involved. This was said within earshot of the referee, who had full awareness of what was about to happen. When the opposition player followed through with his threat in the subsequent phase, the referee failed to act. Not only was there no booking, but a free kick wasn’t even awarded. The severity of the tackle could have resulted in a serious injury—potentially ending a player’s season had his foot been planted in the ground.

With the referee unwilling to intervene, the match spiralled out of control, increasing the risk of injury and fostering an unsafe playing environment. Armada FC will be reviewing the footage as evidence of the poor officiating. Given this performance, the club strongly feels that Ryan Hoey should not be considered for future fixtures unless there is a significant improvement in his ability to protect players and maintain order.

Thanks to Our Partners & Sponsors

Dynamic Solutions for Social Communities for their ongoing support in making a difference through sport. Learn more: dssc2024@outlook.com.
MakHalal – Fuel up after the match with the finest halal burgers in Birmingham! Visit 10 Muntz St, Small Heath, B10 9SN or order online at MakHalal.co.uk.
The Kit Plug Teamwear – Our proud kit supplier, helping Armada FC stand out on and off the pitch!
Mitre & Sported UK – Providing high-quality matchday footballs and supporting Armada FC’s mission to develop young talent.

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This match may not have ended in victory, but Armada FC’s spirit and fight remain stronger than ever. With every match, we grow, improve, and come back even more determined. See you at the next game!