Ashbourne Aztecs Junior F.C.

AZTECS U15 – 0 / 1 – SPONDON DY YOUTH U15

Aztecs started well against the top of the league team pushing them back into their own half Jackson Coxon and Greatorex all pulling saves from the keeper. Gradually Spondon put their mark on the game Carter in goal made two excellent saves firstly a powerful free kick turned over the bar then a goal bound shot beaten away. The rest of the first half was aggressively contested with some crunching tackles going in, Wimberley, Sears, Partridge and Waring in defence cleaned everything up and the mid field of Campbell, Jackson, Edmondson and Austin fought for every scrap of the ball, Greatorex looked to have opened the scoring but another fine save kept the score goalless at the break.

Aztecs again started very strong but could not break the deadlock, Spondon broke quickly and looked very dangerous as they have players who can finish but Ashbourne still looked the likeliest to score. Turner, Newbold and Lynn added new vigour to the attack which pushed forward in numbers trying for the goal which would settle the match but a quick break saw Spondon home in on gaol Carter saved the first shot brilliantly but the ball was played back in and in the scramble Spondon managed to stab the ball home for what turned out to be the winner. Aztecs tried in vain for the equalizer but it was Spondon who took all the points. A disappointing result but a very strong and gutsy performance from the whole team who over the whole of the match were the strongest side against one of the best sides in the first division. Man of the match was awarded to Jordan Campbell for a strong and tireless  performance in the mid-field. TEAM:  Carter, Wibberley, Sears, Partridge, Waring, Campbell, Edmondson, Jackson, Austin, Coxon, Greatorex, Turner, Newbold, Lynn.

This game should really have been all over by the interval, but Ashbourne went in at half time with just a 1-0 lead, thanks to a nice goal from James Handley. 

Ashbourne had created countless opportunities, been denied a penalty and when a shot from Louis Anthony appeared to have crossed the line after coming off the bar, it looked like it might not be Aztecs day.  Castle Donnington began to get into the game during the early part of the second half and brought out some good saves from Goalkeeper, Luke Major.  However, a cool penalty from Jordy Wibberley, after James Handley had been brought down, gave Ashbourne the cushion they needed. Dan Hodkinson and Simon Bott passed the ball well from midfield, linking well with Jack Ford and Sam Goddard.  The defensive pairing of Joe Harris and Charlie Wibberley looked very solid and full-backs Dan Bunting and Sam Forrest gave little away.  Aztecs played patient, passing football and victory was sealed with goals from Will Bates and Charlie Wibberley. 

Man of the Match: Sam Forrest.

                                                               *******

West Hallam Tigers Under 11s        2

Ashbourne Aztecs Under 11s           1

In a game of few goalscoring chances, Aztecs went down 2 – 1 but were unlucky to come away without at least a point. Following a long lay off because of the winter weather, Ashbourne looked a bit rusty during the first ten minutes, especially the defence of Sherry, Field, Lee , Wildgoose and Pepper. They were on the back foot from the start as West Hallam attacked down both flanks and Aztecs found it hard to clear their lines. When they did get a strong foot in, the ball ricocheted off Challinor and fell kindly to a Tigers forward who finished with a firm strike into the right top corner of the net. This rallied Aztecs, who began to string together their passes, with some neat interplay between Keeling, Dutton, Challinor and McDonald Lowe. Griffiths was also a threat on the left wing and went close with a driving run which he couldn’t quite convert. At the other end, West Hallam had a golden chance to add to their tally when their centre-forward was clean through on goal but Sherry was out quickly and made a super save with his feet. The last ten minutes of the first half was Ashbourne’s best spell as they become more confident going forward. Major was holding the ball up better and laying it off to McDonald-Lowe, Dutton and Whittaker-Birks, who were beginning to dominate the midfield battle. A determined run from the half way line by Dutton was halted on the edge of the penalty area by a crunching foul. From the resulting free kick, Major angled in a fine shot which was touched onto the cross bar and then gathered by the home side’s goalkeeper. But Aztecs got their reward for their endeavours soon after.  From a free kick on the right, Major launched a good cross, which was only partially cleared. Keeling drilled in a low shot, which the Tigers’ keeper could only parry and McDonald-Lowe provided a neat finish for the equaliser. The second half was very tight, with both defences dominating. The new central defensive partnership of Lee and Wildgoose was working well, with both players tackling and covering well, with help fromYates. Substitute Winbow showed some skilful touches and tried to get Banks and McDonald –Lowe in behind the West Hallam back line, but without success. There were a few slick Tigers’ passing moves on the right but the final product never troubled replacement keeper Owens, who was alert to any danger. Wildgoose had his best game to date and Challinor worked extremely hard in midfield, but the only genuine chance was carved out by Dutton for Whittaker –Birks, whose shot was blocked on the edge of the penalty box. At the other end, Aztecs were comfortable until they conceded two late corners in the dying minutes. The second of these was headed out by Dutton, but Aztecs were not alert to the second ball and a Tigers player sent in a stinging shot which was deflected past the unlucky Owens for the winner.

Team: Sherry, Owens, Field, Pepper, Yates, Lee, Wildgoose, Keeling, Dutton, Challinor, Griffiths, Whittaker-Birks, Winbow, Banks, Major, McDonald –Lowe.

                                                                                                        *******

Melbourne United 1, Ashbourne Aztecs under 10’s 3

Aztecs came across a really strong side in Melbourne, whose position in the league did not justify their capabilities.  An early goal from Aztecs was what was needed to try and tame a very determined Melbourne.  It was Farr whose run down the right wing led to him shooting hard and low into the corner of the net, out of the keeper’s reach, and achieving that early goal.  Melbourne’s spirit was only dampened for a minute before they started to press forward giving Aztecs’ midfield and defence some difficult times.  It was up to keeper Burton with his quick reactions, to keep Aztecs in front.  The game was turning out to be end to end play, it was then Melbourne’s keeper, who prevented shots from Ocran and Reed reaching the back of the net, who stopped Aztecs getting further in front.  They were worrying times for Aztecs, as Melbourne seemed to be playing more in Aztecs’ half.  A run down the wing from Melbourne drew the players towards the ball, and a cross saw an unmarked Melbourne Striker with time to place the ball past Aztecs’ keeper to level the score.  Aztecs had to sharpen up and be more creative, if they were to come away with any points at all.  It was Reed who slotted a lovely positioned Ball in front of Ocran, who ran on goal, paused, and put the keeper the wrong way to bring Aztecs back into the lead.  2^nd half Melbourne came out with more fight and a hard shot destined to fly into Aztecs’ goal, saw keeper Burton pull off the save of the day, tipping it over the crossbar.  Aztecs’ defenders of Smith and Dean were now playing more positively, and Dean confidently pushed forward which changed the game, and gave Aztecs more of the ball, keeping the play mostly in Melbourne’s half.  Left winger Rosewarne got himself on the score sheet, he accepted a cross and bagged his goal to put Aztecs 3-1 up.  Zona entered the field for Aztecs giving fresh legs and created chance after chance, but his goal eluded him.  Minutes to go ‘til the final whistle, Melbourne took a corner quickly, which flew into Aztecs’ goalmouth, the defence were caught out, but Aztecs’ keeper cleared the ball off the line.  Final whistle blew, a hard fought 3 points to keep Aztecs on top.  Man of the Match Harry Zona.

                                                                                                            *********

Play started even with both sides testing each other out. Aztec’s defenders Wibberley, Partridge, Sears and Austin dug in and supplied the mid field with good service enabeling them to gain the better hand and create good chances. On ten minutes Greatorex crossed for COXON to smash home the opening goal for Aztecs. Campell, Edmondson, Jackson and Lynn all worked hard on a heavy pitch but could not add to the score, Turner and Newbold added fresh legs to the play but it remained 1-0 at the end of the first half which the Ref mistakenly cut short by 5 minutes. Belper started the second half well and the game ebbed and flowed with both teams going close. Carter made a couple of saves but wasn’t troubled at all, Campbell broke away but the keeper saved well, Greatorex broke through but shot wide, With 35 minutes on the clock Belper fired in a free kick which struck Edmondson on the arm the Ref pointed to the spot. The kick was taken well just inside the post giving Carter no chance. Aztecs Kicked off and the Ref blew up for full time again cutting the half five minutes short which was very disappointing. Yes the rules do say that each half has to be the same time but there was no reason when I pointed out his mistake at half time with all the players still on the pith he could not have played the full 40 minutes. It was a disappointing result but again missed chances have cost us points. Man of the match was awarded to Liam Jackson for a full blooded performance in mid-field.

Team: Carter, Wibberley, Partridge, Sears, Austin, Campbell, Edmondson, Jackson, Coxon, Lynn, Greatorex, Newbold, Turner.

BURTON League Under 14’s Division One

24^th January 2010

Ashbourne Aztecs (U14) 2 Vs Newhall Tigers (U14) 1

A confident start by Aztecs but Tigers competed well, and were well organised. Ten minutes in Nathan Lee pushed a diagonal ball through to Jake Smith who beat the defender and slotted home the ball to make it 1-0. Tigers looked dangerous and gained a few corners and managed two good shots that were just wide but Aztecs held firm until half time.

Tigers started the second half well and pushed Aztecs back, Aztecs failed to close down the ball as it was cleared from the box and Tigers shot deflected slightly and found the back of the net. Aztecs dug deep after the goal and had several chances in the second half with Jake Smith up front, Josh Dales, Alex Munro Jones, Alex Harrison all combined well in midfield and created numerous chances thwarted by both the off side rule and some good defending. Dales and Smith combined well with some good passing around the box which left the defence in tatters, ultimately leading to a penalty for Aztecs. Joe Redfern stepped up from the centre of defence where he had a solid game and fired the penalty to the keepers left with power to make it 2-1. Aztecs remained solid for the rest of the game with Ashly Woods and Rian Galvin both having excellent games at right and left back respectively.

Team: Charlie Mansfield, Warren Cope, , George Sims, Ryan McFall, James Gordon, Jake Smith, Alex Munro Jones, Josh Dales, Nathan Lee, Rian Galvin, Ashley Wood, Alex Harrison, Joe Redfern Coach Paul Harrison

                                                                                                     ******

Roe Farm Centurions 0

Aztecs under 10’s      12

Aztecs u10’s find themselves back on top of the league with their eighth consecutive win.  Even though Aztecs had not played for the last 6 weeks, they started their new year positively with clinical passing and creating chance after chance.  The away fans didn’t have to wait long before Farr netted his first of four goals.  Front three of Farr, Ocran and Rosewarne were so sharp and giving the Centurion’s defence a nightmare.  The game was all Aztecs with Reed getting on the end of a low hard cross to bag his goal to put Aztecs 5-0 up.  Half time approaching, a ball crossed into the box saw the goalkeeper come out to clear, only for Legrice, who was on the halfway line, to receive the ball, and seeing the keeper off his  line, shot a high dipping ball over for the best goal of the day.  2^nd half brought substitutions of Jennison and Zona to continue the pressure and within 5 minutes, Jennison ghosted past Centurion’s defence to put away his first goal of the day.  Aztecs now 7-0 up could have sat back, as they knew the game was won, but quite the opposite.  They continued the hard work pressing forward with Legrice adding two more goals for his hat trick. Ocran tucked one away, Jennison added  another and Rosewarne also got on the score sheet.  A good solid performance, Aztecs came away with 3 points.  Man of the match Sam Legrice.

                                                                                            ******

Duffield Dynamo Falcons             1

Ashbourne Aztecs u10’s Lions     2

The Lions took on an extremely skilled Duffield side on Sunday, after a 6 week break from matches due to the snowy weather.  Aztecs came out fully refreshed and with batteries fully charged.  From the first whistle, the Lions dominated the game, Callum Hellaby worked hard for every ball and Tom Dixon in midfield worked tirelessly.  When Duffield made any advances towards goal, they were stopped in their tracks by Dominic Simpson-Allsop and Ben Bryan in defence.  The Lions had better shape than in previous matches and were passing the ball about with ease.  Jake Sims took a long range shot at goal, and placed the ball neatly into the back of Duffield’s net for Aztecs.  Peter Linley worked hard throughout the game, his throw- ins accurate and swift, to Marcus Lumbard and Jake Sims up front.  Matt Fearn gave his all, gaining balls for Aztecs and passing them accurately to fellow players.  Just before half time, the Duffield Falcons pulled a goal back, which was impossible for goalie Alex Cranstone to save.  The second half, the Lions came out more determined than ever, they weren’t going to settle for a draw this week. Marcus Lumbard scored a pearler of a goal in the first few minutes of the second half, and although Duffield tried to regain composure and advance towards goal, they were halted by the ever strong Jake Massey at the back.  With every player having a brilliant game, it was hard to take anyone off, but bringing on substitute of  Ryan Yates, strengthened the team even further, as he gave fresh legs to the side and an extra burst of energy.  The Lions never sat back, Alex Cranstone pulled off some excellent saves from corners in the last few minutes.  All the Aztecs players threw themselves into their goal mouth to defend right until the final whistle blew.  A well deserved 3 points for Aztecs Lions and a good start for 2010.  Man of the match was awarded to Marcus Lumbard for his winning goal.

                                                                                               ******