On a crisp Monday evening at the Club De Sports in Acton, a spirited footballing encounter took place between MPW and Ashbourne. The friendly match, which brought together GCSE and A-level students for an hour of high-intensity competition, proved to be a fantastic showcase of both teams’ talent. From the opening whistle, the atmosphere was charged with excitement, setting the stage for a match defined as much by its competitive edge as by its exceptional sportsmanship.

MPW asserted their dominance early in the proceedings, starting with a clinical efficiency that left the Ashbourne defence struggling to keep pace. This strong start translated into a well-deserved 2-0 lead before the halftime whistle. The opening goals were expertly converted by Forehanmi and Imam, whose sharp finishing rewarded the team’s early pressure. The fluidity of MPW’s attacking play in the first half established a momentum that would eventually prove decisive in the final score line.

Defensively, the team benefited immensely from the inclusion of Lewis, who stepped in to help for the friendly and delivered a signature performance in goal. His presence between the posts was a calming influence, marked by a series of great saves that denied Ashbourne a route back into the game during their strongest periods. Complementing this solid goalkeeping was a smart and disciplined midfield performance from Will, who read the game beautifully to control and organise the centre of the pitch.
The team’s energy was fuelled by Henry, whose relentless work rate kept MPW competitive in every challenge across the pitch.

However, the standout individual was Abdulrahman, whose commanding presence and tactical awareness earned him well-deserved Man of the Match honours. While individual performances shone, the 2-1 victory was truly a result of a cohesive and diligent team effort.

As the match concluded, the competitive intensity shifted into the true highlight of the evening: a celebration of the game itself. Players from both schools shared a heartfelt moment of warmth and kindness, shaking hands and reinforcing a bond of mutual respect. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening that left everyone, including the Ashbourne squad, with a smile and aiming to meet up again soon…