Under 11 Aylesbury Town League
Under 12 Aylesbury Town League
Under 13 Aylesbury Athletic 2 – 4 Aylesbury Town Semi-Final Dick Hopkins Cup
Games between these two local teams have a habit of being close encounters, normally only one goal separating the two! Today being of great importance to both sides, a place in the final the reward for the winners, electing to choose ends Athletic played uphill for the first half, they were unfortunate not to take a 2 goal lead both efforts ruled offside. Town had been warned to expect a tough game and not to wait for the ball, these early attacks on our goal proof enough that we needed to take heed, our own chance came from a throw in down the right side, Finlay throwing to Jack P who laid it back before spinning away and loosing his marker, Finlay then putting a superb ball back into Jack who with a couple of strides sent the ball across the box, Levi rising above everyone simply nodded it into the far corner beyond the keepers reach 0-1 Town.
Athletic responded almost immediately with an equaliser, a free kick rolled back to one of their players struck with accuracy goal- wards, Oli in goal spilling it into the net 1-1, game on. A hard working defence battled to hold Athletic at bay, Ben taking a boot to the face for the cause!
Just before half time we took the lead again, a free kick just outside the box well worked between Ben and Finlay, Ben rolling the ball back and Fin with a ferocious shot bulging the back of the net 1-2 Town. At half time Mark and I encouraged the boys, told them where things could be improved slightly and sent them back out for the second half.
Playing uphill this half with the wind at our backs we settled into the game more comfortably, good pressure from both sides giving the spectators plenty to be excited about, more goals looked to be on the cards from either side. Town with first blood, Jack P with a lob that the keeper just got a hand to was then left helpless as Daniel W bravely headed home on the goal line with feet flying all around him 1-3 Town.
Athletic got another goal back about ten minutes later, two players going for the same ball, Ben adjudged to have caught the opposing player, the ref pointing to the spot. Perfectly taken, the penalty went flying into the corner well away from Oli’s outstretched hand 2-3 the score.
The last 20 minutes for Town was all about not conceding anymore while looking to extend the lead, Jack P smashing a great effort off the crossbar walked away wondering how it never went in, all over the pitch Town denied Athletic at all cost, Athletic doing likewise, with about six minutes left Town got the goal they had been searching for Daniel W laying the ball to Finlay who unleashed a shot the keeper could only parry, Daniel following up burying it in the back of the net 2-4 Town.
Athletic to their credit threw everything they could at us to get back in the game, our boy’s doing the same to keep them out, when the final whistle went it was a relief!
A great game of football played in the right way by two well matched sides, unfortunately there could only be one winner today, Town the victors and a place in the final! M.O.M again could have gone too anyone of twelve, Daniel W the recipient two well taken goals and plenty of running to boot.
Well done to the boy’s Mark and I are extremely proud of you all as I am sure you are of yourselves, the final awaits!!!!
Under 14 Aylesbury Town League
Under 15 Tring 2 – 0 Aylesbury Town League
I have never played in a match with more injuries than Town’s encounter with Tring Tornadoes, at several points in the game one of the two teams were only playing with 10 men. Due to the amount of injuries sustained in the game neither team got their football going, and route one football didn’t work as of the shortness of the pitch. However when Town managed to play their football they created chances but couldn’t capitalise. Due to injuries Town had to chop and change the back four, and even play keeper Harry Larkin outpitch. Tring sensed our weakness at the back and switched to all out attack, which resulted in them scoring two goals in quick succession. Final score 2-0 to Tring. Another battling performance by Town but this one just got past us. Some great saves by Tom Pain kept to just 2-0 and all the players working till the end did us no harm either. Let’s hope we keep the battling up and we have a fully fit squad for our next week match.
Under 16 Aylesbury Athletic 1 v Aylesbury Town 1 (Athletic win 4-3 on penalties) League Cup 3rd Round
Town played their first game of football since the last week of November 09 and it really showed. We were clearly lacking in sharpness and speed and resorted to playing at times the long ball game, the Athletic defence looked solid and in all honesty we never really troubled them in the first half. With Rory McElhinney injured we lacked a bit of our physical game, and with key defender Ryan Keen also out we just seemed so out of sorts. A chat at halftime with the lads did nothing today and we started the second half as we did the first. Athletic fired ball after ball over the top and eventually we were caught out and the Athletic striker lobbed the ball over the advancing Aaron White who could do nothing. Looking for a way into the game players were rotated but no-one could step up today and change things. The football improved at times but the boys (in fairness not all of them) were second best, with 10 mintues to go Town were awarded a penalty which was harsh on the Athletic defender when he was ajudged to of handled the ball. Aaron Bonham as always converted. We got out of jail with that piece of luck and started to play our game and we had the best spells of football in extra time where we could of wrapped it up, however we didn't and we went out on penalties well done to all the guys who stepped up to take them and to Aaron White who was excellent. Our first game of the season was against Athletic and the performance was outstanding, today it was poor at best, that is taking nothing away from Atheltic who worked really hard and who deserved their win. With just the league to focus on some of our guys have to decide if they are committed to the team or to their social life on saturday night!!. Special mention to Ben George and Sam Vaughan who never stop or give up and both real candidates for Man of the Match but that goes to Stand in Centre Back Tony Davitt who was superb all round. Come on Boys!!!!
Under 16 Youth Chalfont Saints 4 - 2 Aylesbury Town Youth League
We started well and play some nice passing football without creating many clear cut chances and when we did get through on goal their keeper pulled off 1 or 2 good saves. The game came to live in the last 15 minutes of the first half when we created 4 or 5 good chances but could not find the net apart from 1 occasion which was ruled for offside. Completely against the run of play Chalfont scored on38 minutes to go in at half time 1 up. Unfortunately no sooner had the second half started that Chalfont scored again to make it 2 -0. We were still having much of the possession but simply could not score and a 3rd goal for Chalfont on 55 minutes really wrapped up the win for them. We did however pull 1 back through a Rob Jolly header before a harshly awarded penalty gave Chalfont the opportunity to go 4 - 1 up from the spot. Scott Hayden managed to pull another goal to make the score 4-2 and in the final few minutes we created further chances which could have made the score closer. On another day we would have won this game comfortably and if we continue to perform like this we must surely win some remaining before the end of the season.
Under 17 Youth Aylesbury Town Youth League
Under 17 Rangers Burnham Youth 2 - 0 Aylesbury Town League
Albeit disappointed to lose a closely fought encounter which could have gone either way, a deflected shot which wrong footed everyone and a harshly awarded penalty gave Burnham all three points.
However, the game will be remembered for an astonishing final 20 minutes in which the referee booked five ATFC players for reasons including, “having a bad attitude” and “implying that I cannot keep up with play”!! If the players had been booked for being aggressive or abusive towards the referee then that is unacceptable, but these were just passing comment. I guess the comments could be deemed slightly sarcastic, but then the referee had enjoyed good communication with both sets of players and even the officials and supporters from both clubs. The referee known for his part in the Carlsberg advert featuring such legends as Bobby and Jack Charlton, Stuart Pearce and Sir Bobby Robson, took over as the ‘star of the show’ in an otherwise enthralling match. Played in a terrific spirit, not one bad challenge, no aggression towards the match official – but somehow he managed to book six players in total. Even I as manager was invited on to the pitch by the referee and instructed to “calm your players down” when there really was no need, only to be immediately told to “get off my pitch” by the celebrity ref.
Players are constantly reminded of the FA’s Respect programme, but it really has to work both ways.
To the game, and the 11 men of ATFC gave everything and can count ourselves very unlucky to return home with nothing from the game. Well played everyone and MoM this week went to Ryan Orlowski, switched to right back and played superbly well.
Under 18 Aylesbury Town League
Under 18 Corinthians Aylesbury Town League
Seniors Aylesbury Town 4 – 0 Excel Dents
The football was excellent today and there could have been at least 5-6 men of the match, the first half was slow to start however a much improved Dents made it awkward for Aylesbury with some good defending. Then a excellent move started with a long ball from Ray Undi found James Green who held the ball up well and completed a one/two with Felice Iannone who laid into the path of Andy Wright for a great opener and that's how the half finished.
The second half was a different ball game and it wouldn't have been a surprise to see the score line in double figures, I think we definitely need some shooting practice with some glaring misses and also we hit the post and bar on at least 4 occasions.
The second goal was another great move which saw Raymond Undi put through and he finished superbly, the 3rd goal came from the impressive Chris Durtnal whose shot came back off the bar for James Green to finish from outside the area.
Andy Wright then completed a solo effort to get his second of the game, the whole side played exceptionally well however mentions must go to Marcus Hudson who stopped the leagues leading goalscorer doing anything and got man of the match for it, also James Smith and Dee were very solid with James White also good.
3 subs that came on also did very well being Pumy, Martyn, and Sam the man Henderson, Angelo Mendicino unfortunately had a bad tackle which ended his game as captain early.
Our keeper for the day was Mohammed Iqbal and he was very confident and made no mistakes.