Titans U19s: Battling End to a Stellar Season
By Tim Foster
Manchester Titans U19s (BAFA Champions of the Scotland & North) on a five-match winning streak travelled to Nottingham on Sunday 16 August 2026 to take on the all-conquering Caesars (BAFA Champions of the Midlands) for the Northern Crown, followed by excited yet anxious family and friends who filled ‘the shelf’ at the David Ross Sports Village.
Ako Adefulu “aura farming”, 16 August 2026. Photo by @adz_pro_media
Caesars received the ball at kick-off and proceeded to advance downfield in a seven-minute drive, with some strong running from their RB #3, forcing excellent tackling from the Titans’ D-Line and secondary. The signs were ominous as Caesars looked like they might dominate with muscle and power and the Titans’ cause wasn’t helped by conceding numerous offside penalties. #3 powered over from short range and the QB took a speed option for a two-point conversion. What did Titans have in response? Their first drive was good using both ground and air, but pressure from the Caesars defence forced a turnover on downs and the 1st quarter came to a close.
Titans gained great field position from a punt and then were alert to a fumble to recover the ball. A good catch by Ron Buraimoh (RB, #88) put Titans in striking distance but on 4th and 2 had a big decision to make. The author was heard muttering “take the points”, but the aggressive play calling had other ideas, and Mabula Mkama (RB, #13) found a gap to sprint into the endzone. The two-point conversion was stopped and the half ended at 8-6.
Deon Ajahson on defence, 16 August 2026. Photo by @adz_pro_media
A great catch and kick-off return by Titans’ Louis Wong (#85) reached the 40-yard line, but the second half was started with scrappy plays on both sides. Titans found themselves on their own 1-yard line, finally punting away but a catch and strong return from the Caesars gave their QB a sniff of the line, which he took, and then a similar play saw an extra two points. Strong Titans defence forced a turnover on downs, but midfield field position was exploited by the Caesars’ third RB of the day, #2. He was as slippery as an eel and broke a final tackle to run in a score. The two-point conversion was no good, but at 22-6, now deep into the 4th quarter, was there a way back for the Titans?
#85 on the kick return, 16 August 2026. Photo by @adz_pro_media
Louis Wong ran in the kick-off return down the Titans sideline and Buraimoh powered over for two extra points (22-14, now a one score game). Deep into the final quarter Titans offence had a tough decision on 3rd down. What a play call: QB Bailey Cross (#21) passed back to Louis Kagame (RB, #10) who had gone in motion, and he launched a forward pass to Buraimoh who in turn powered down the Titans’ jubilant sideline, in front of the supporters on ‘the shelf’. Two points for a tied game but the Caesars defence stood strong and finished the game 22-20 victors.
As these young Titans develop their journey to become elite athletes there are great learnings to be found in defeat in high pressure environments. It is as much in the mind as it is in the body: on defence, it is always going to be an uphill game if you concede upwards of 100 yards in penalties, so adapt and learn on the job; on offence, it is about precision in execution, five dropped catches in scoring positions left points on the field. This isn’t meant to be critical, but honest self-appraisal will take the good to great (perfection doesn’t exist!!). This can all be remedied in practice. Taking cricket as an example: bowlers should never bowl no-balls, but they do because they do in practice, and great wicket keepers practice with distraction in their eye-line. Anything successful is a result of a series of mistakes and what Head Coach Sean Howe and the Titans U19s are building together has seen great success in 2026.
Luke Hodgson (#66) and Josh Beecroft (#50) holding the line. Photo by @adz_pro_media
Let us finish by showering praise on all the players, coaches, and support staff for a stellar season. We are immensely proud of the whole team and we can’t wait to see how far they can go in 2027. Finally, we thank Nottingham for a great game and wish them success in representing the North in the BritBowl weekend final against London Blitz.
If you’re interested in getting involved with youth contact football for the 2027 season, whether that’s as a coach, player, or volunteer, reach out to our youth page on Instagram @manchestertitansyouth or fill out this interest form. Could you be the Titans next star player?