So here they are then;All transferred from my previous blogsite. They will be updated on a weekly basis, (Mondays generally, but this depends on my sleep pattern)
Put your feet up, coffee mug & biscuits to hand, (or beer glass & pork scratchings) & catch up with the season so far...........
16th Sept 2007
Under 15’s – Division 3
Aylesbury Vale 3 – Berkhamsted Town 3
Aylesbury Vale FC Under 15’s opened their season with a point when they held Berkhamsted Town to a 3-3 result at home yesterday (Sunday).
Vale were caught off-guard by a swift attack on goal by Berkhamsted giving them an extremely early lead, this was short lived as Nathan Scarfe slotted in an equalizer in the 9th minute. Pat Hurst was substituted, suffering the effects of an ankle injury picked up in pre-season. Vale had the greater dominance in the first half making more of their chances to push well into the opposing half. One such opportunity 28 minutes in gave Alex Drury his first goal for the team.
Berkhamsted made a break again & this time netted the ball, but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement. The 1st half closed 2-1.
Second half opened with a slightly less organised Vale side with some gaps opening in their play of the ball. However they kept the game at level terms through the larger part of this period. Another substitution brought fresh legs in the form of Jordan Murphy to the pitch. He was quick to display this energy, taking the ball from the halfway line past the Berkhamsted defence and narrowly missing out on the opportunity to supply a third goal when the ball edged ahead of his stride allowing the keeper to collect on it.
A third goal did come in the 65th minute in the form of Chris Hawes and Vale was back in the winning stride of last season.
Football has a funny way of turning fortunes and a free kick (indirect) just outside the Aylesbury penalty area gave Berkhamsted a way back into the game. The ball came in across the wall glancing off a player as it did so giving them a needed goal. The determination of the Berkhamsted team to at least return with a point was paid-off with an equalizer minutes before final whistle, Vale just hadn’t got the time to take the lead again.
23rd Sept 2007
U15’s League - Division 3
Aylesbury Vale 4 - Aylesbury Town Youth 1
A (very) local derby..!
Sunday saw Aylesbury Vale U15’s play host to pitch-sharing counterparts Aylesbury Town Youth.
The game got underway with Town pushing in on Vales’ half for the 1st five minutes while Vale got themselves into their stride. Then the tables were turned & an onslaught at the Town end saw 3 goals put away within the next 20 minutes, Luca Forchione (13), Pat Hurst (19) & Nathan Scarfe (21) each claiming credit. Aylesbury Town Youth responded when Josh Sawers managed to clear the Vale defence but was denied by the woodwork in the 33rd minute. Close of the 1st half 3-0.
The second half and Craig Stillwell made his debut for Aylesbury Vale. Luca Forchione worked his magic again & made a 2nd well-targeted strike 5 minutes in. A substitution brought on another new signing for Vale, Chris Pope, who would take the right-back position. Aylesbury Town kicked off again & pushed hard for a goal. Catching the Vale defence just outside the 6yd box, Town were rewarded for defensive confusion with an own-goal (53).
Another threat at Vales’ defence was supplied by the towering Town forward, Jake Weaver, his presence in the Vale 18yd box was very noticeable, but like his team-mate from the 1st half, he also fell victim to the woodwork on two separate occasions. Substitutions for Town brought Rory Williams into the game & saw Ben Morrice take a well-earned rest.
A penalty awarded to Vale, just over mid-way through the 2nd half, didn’t give any cause for celebration either when Chris Hawes pushed the ball just wide of the post. The rhythm of the game settled for the remainder leaving a final score;
Aylesbury Vale 4 – Aylesbury Town Youth 1
30th Sept 2007
Under 15’s – Division 3
Acorn Raiders 0 - Aylesbury Vale 5
Aylesbury Vale FC met old adversaries from last seasons Division 4 on Sunday.
And it was a feeling of de-ja-vu for the Vale spectators, the opening line-up from the previous weeks successful match and a similar first 5 minutes action. Acorn Raiders, from Hemel Hempstead, had what was thought to be the advantage, playing downhill on the sloped pitch, but failed to capitalise on this. With the morning dew still fresh on the ground, close action had members of both teams struggling to stay upright, a through ball along the Vale left side gave the first goal to Nathan Scarfe after just 5 minutes. A second wave attack through the centre allowed Pat Hurst to join the score-sheet 7 minutes later! Shaken but not deterred Acorn raiders came back at Aylesbury, Tom Osbourne managed to dodge through the Vale back line but only managed to supply the ball directly into the keepers hands and a second real threat of reducing the goal deficit was raised over the crossbar by Joe Hutchins. Vale had the majority of control for the first half and went into halftime with a confidence to their game.
The second half saw substitutions for Vale, (again to the winning formula of the previous match) but with Raiders being short of substitutes they could only make tactical alterations to their line up. Acorn Raiders had an uphill struggle, in more ways than one, and Vale made it all the harder for them. Chris Hawes, who had an excellent game in midfield, used his outstanding pace to get up front and netted another winner for Vale (46). Chris was also instrumental in another close call for the Raiders when he lobbed the ball over the keeper from the edge of the 18yd box but not quite on target it bounced just wide. Aylesbury’s control of the game wavered for the next 10 minutes or so giving Raiders’ Osbourne and Hutchins a few chances to look dangerous again. With their form regained Vale came back with a vengeance. A penalty awarded to Vale for a late challenge saw Luca Forchione dispatch with precision (69), and he was back attacking the goal, again seeing the ball neatly past the keeper (77).
Another penalty this time for Raiders, 2 minutes into stoppage time, put pressure on the recently brought in Vale keeper Andy Thorp, he stood up to the challenge, deflecting the ball back out, a misjudged swing from an Acorn forward put the ball wide for a Vale goal kick. Not so lucky with the ball out to midfield, Raiders won it back & surged up the pitch again, in a final attempt to put a ball in the net. Lifted over the crossbar it just wasn’t to be their day. The ball re-placed on the 6yd box and with Andy lifting out to the midfield again the final whistle was blown. A jubilant Vale winning a well deserved 5 – 0.
7th Oct 2007
Under 15’s – Division 3
Downley Dynamo’s 0 - Aylesbury Vale 8
A focussed & determined Aylesbury Vale under 15’s continued their campaign with another convincing away win at Downley yesterday. The home team had the opening kick but where taken off the ball within seconds as Aylesbury were playing at 100% from the whistle. Vale forwards flooded the Dynamo’s 18 yd box as the ball came up from the centre, Pat Hurst getting the first attempt at goal, his chance passed for this time but not so for Chris Hawes when he blasted the ball into the net with only four minutes played.
With Downley kick-off for the second time they were again overwhelmed as Vale surged forward, keeping them mostly penned in their own half and at best well outside any Aylesbury danger area. Captain Michael O’Neil received his glory in the 15th minute, with a well-timed run to a forward pass. A minute later and Downley had a superb opportunity to reduce the deficit, a free-kick only a few yards outside the 18 yd box, but it was lifted well over the cross bar. Vale continued to keep the pressure on for the next 10 minutes. The Dynamo’s dropped to 10 men for a few minutes when Ben Greenacre pulled up with an ankle injury that he’s been suffering from this season, he was brought off the pitch to be checked over & play resumed. Chris Hawes, capitalising on the opportunity, scored his second in the 30th minute. This prompted Downley to substitute Ben and bring them back to full strength. Unfortunately full strength just wasn’t enough, the goalkeeper, George Dyer, was caught off his line and it was an open invitation to Alex Drury (33). Downley had the last real chance of the first half with a corner that was crossed in and gave a battle around the goalmouth. The last minutes played out & closed 4 – 0.
As the second half started so did the Aylesbury assault, Pat Hurst again being the front-runner. This time he was more successful, scoring in both the 45th & 49th minutes. Downley responded but lacked finish. The Dynamo’s suffered another injury bringing them down to 10 men again putting pressure on them to keep Vale away from goal, this led to a late challenge on Alex Drury. Michael O’Neil stepped up to take the free kick, in an almost identical position to that of the Dynamo’s in the first half. The ball crossed in over the wall & Chris Hawes, eager to gain his hat-trick, was up to head it towards the post, unluckily it passed inches to the left of the goal. But his chance came again on the next wave of attack, claiming his 3rd on the 61st minute. Downley came back at Vale straight away but keeper Andy Thorpe took the ball to safety. Downley won the ball back from the goal kick and moved forward again only to play into the keepers’ hands a second time. For a third time Dynamo’s fielded only 10 men when Darren Collier was the victim of a twist to his knee. Vale returned to put more pressure on the weary opposition. Despite several redeeming saves in the second half for George Dyer if he made an error Aylesbury seized on it. Caught again well off his line, Vale were denied another goal on the line by the battling of Todd Tuffney. Having received treatment on the sidelines, Darren Collier returned to the pitch, but as in the 1st half, it wasn’t enough. On the 73rd a save by the Dynamo’s keeper that left him unable to get back up quickly enough allowed Jordan Murphy to rush in on the rebound & claim the final goal of the match. Dynamo’s gave their last push. They found their way through to the Vale goal and sent the ball skywards over the crossbar. Dominated by Aylesbury throughout the game, an audible sigh of relief as the final whistle blew.
4th Nov 2007
Under 15’s – League Cup Round 2
Aylesbury Vale 4 – Gerrards X & Fulmer 0
Aylesbury Vales league cup challenge began in earnest yesterday, (Sunday) after a bye in the first round. With the mist still clearing from the pitch, Vale pushed into Gerrards X half & were met with, perhaps, stronger opposition than they expected. Although the home team had greater possession it took nearly quarter of an hour before they saw the back of the net with a great ball from Luca Furchione. The re-start was a similar picture with very little being made of the chances open to Aylesbury. A break from Gerrards X saw a good opportunity to level the scores, with a through ball & run down the left wing making space for their forward to join him in the centre but with a lightning fast sprint from the far side of the pitch, James Marsh cleared the ball to only give a Gerrards X throw in.
Aylesbury brought the pace back up a little after this scare & only through some excellent work of the Gerrards X keeper, Sam Bannister, were they denied another 2 real attacks at goal, one of which had Sam at full stretch across the goal mouth to tip the ball just over the crossbar. A free kick given to Vale on the 36th minute taken by Pat Hurst skimmed effortlessly into the back of the net. Two minutes later and Aylesbury’s Aidan Knight was up at the sharp end in a battle with Gerrards X number 18*, although he didn’t break through himself, the next wave did & Nathan Scarfe finished off the attack successfully a minute before halftime.
Gerrards X opened the second half and pushed to retrieve the game. They came up at the 18yd box but slotted the ball just wide of the far post. The Vale response was ferocious and again the last line of Gerrards X defence was at his outstanding best, a save on the line & another pushed over the crossbar. On the 49th minute a cross in from Luca Furchione with a superb finishing head in from Pat Hurst had the Vale support cheering wildly but an off side call from the linesman had the goal disallowed. Not deterred though Vale came back again, with Segun Fawole driving the ball inches over the bar from 30 yds out. Gerrards X came back in return & almost capitalised on a defending error, forward Izzy Ishaq making a break for a badly passed back ball to the keeper, but like previous attempts, it lacked accuracy on the finish & he pushed it wide of the far post. A more settled Aylesbury Vale took absolute control of the game through the middle of the second half, with a free kick well inside Gerrards X half, turned in by Pat Hurst which was headed just over the crossbar by latest signing Thomas “Granny” Grantham. The next wave brought Jordan Murphy close to scoring but keeper, Sam Bannister, managed to get his hands on it. But not discouraged Jordan was instrumental in feeding the ball through to Luca Furchione, who enticed the keeper out well clear of his line & then drove the ball into the back of the net in the 77th minute. Gerrards X just could not get the better of the home team & yet again Vale took possession & pushed at goal, Sam Bannister again keeping the ball out by his fingertips. The last minute of added time saw the Gerrards X number 17* issued an immediate Red Card for a remark made towards the referee. As he left the pitch and the free kick taken the final whistle was blown.
Commenting after the match, coach David Hawes said, “It was a decisive & gritty performance for the second half as the players became aware that complacency doesn’t win football matches.”
The League Cup round 3 continues for Vale on 2nd December with another home game taking on Chinnor Youth from Div 2.
* (Gerrards X players 18 & 17 names withheld by the GX&F coach)
11th Nov 2007
Under 15’s – Berks & Bucks Cup
Aylesbury Vale 2 – Chesham Utd Youth 3
Aylesbury Vale’s under 15’s were knocked out of the Berks & Bucks Cup by a narrow margin yesterday (Sunday) in what was a closely fought match. Despite putting pressure on the Chesham defence for the opening minutes a misguided ball gave the visitors their first major push in retaliation & was finished off by the pace of left forward Will Gray (8).
With the restart the tempo settled, with both sides evenly matched. Aylesbury were first with the next real break, a fast push through the middle of the field gave Chris Hawes a shot on goal, which he dragged inches wide of the post.
With Chesham’s goal kicks struggling to reach the halfway line Vale went in again on full attack this time it was the keepers outstretched arms that prevented the equalizer. With the corner-ball brought in across the goalmouth, the 6yd box became almost “standing room only” & when the ball was back away from danger for Chesham the tables were turned on Aylesbury. Tom Burgin, from Chesham, received a through ball that gave an almost clear run & finish at goal. With Vale now 2 behind the pressure was on to reduce the deficit by halftime. Scott Turner did just that in the 38th minute with a neat head in after United conceded a corner. With the halftime whistle seconds from sounding Luca Forchione gave Vale a glimmer of an equalizer, but pushed the wide of target.
As the match resumed it still looked like there could be no guessing the final outcome, with both sides taking pretty much even possession. But Chesham made their break 4 minutes in & as Aylesbury defence moved in on the 18yd then 6yd box the battle to put the ball to safety reached critical point. A rebound off the defence & a very quick side-pass to incoming man Jules Wallis put United 2 goals clear again. But the celebration was barely subsiding when, from another conceded corner, Vale headed their 2nd in, this time Luca knew exactly where the ball was going.
As before, in the first half, the game took a very even form with neither side getting the better of the other. Chris Hawes held United at the halfway line, heading out a series of throw-ins, preventing Chesham pushing further up the pitch.
It wasn’t until the 75th minute that Chesham looked like getting a break of play. A cross in from the left of goal gave Will Gray his opportunity but keeper Andy Thorp managed to stop the ball, which was struck with ferocity.
18th Nov 2007
Under 15’s – Division 3
Loudwater 2 - Aylesbury Vale 2
Aylesbury Vale under 15’s took on league leaders Loudwater yesterday (Sunday) in what was a highly charged away meeting. The opening 10 minutes saw Aylesbury giving 110% to try & put a clear advantage between themselves & the home team. Several chances opened up to Vale but without clean finishing they stayed only chances. Loudwater got a break in the 20th minute, pulling the ball down the right wing with a man making his way through the centre. A battle to clear the ball to safety brought the keeper, Andy Thorp, off his line, a high ball over his head & across the goalmouth looked like being the winner but a clearance almost on the line by Vale defence put the ball back out at halfway. This first real attack at Vale spurred Loudwater on to another push forward. Again the right side was seen as the better option & with a similar run & cross this time Loudwaters Chris Sutton got on the end of it & buried it into the net. Although there was plenty of action on the pitch, no real drama came from it for the next 15 minutes, with both sides taking possession and losing it again in fairly equal measure. The 39th minute nearly had Loudwater 2 clear for halftime, but they just missed out as the ball struck the left post.
Vale came out in the second half even more determined to get an away result and it only took them 4 minutes to prove their point with Luca Forchione putting the ball away. Loudwater regain its 1st half composure, but not for long enough. A rebound out from another Vale attack and Segun Fawole (55) brought the ball under control & targeted it back at the Loudwater goal successfully, putting the away team ahead. The next 10 minutes and Vale gave the better performance with Loudwater making only occasional chances for themselves. But one chance was all they needed to level the scores. A 64th minute run & battle on the left wing gave Loudwaters Aidan Brace a superb finish on goal.
The second half played out much the same as the first, action but no drama.
25th Nov 2007
Under 15’s – Referee’s Cup Round 2
Aylesbury Vale 5 – Holmer Green Minors 0
After the recent inclement weather Haywood Way was waterlogged so the meeting was moved to the Holmer Green Sports Club. The fixture away from home didn’t unsettle the winning formula of the Vale youth team though and set out for total dominance over the division 5 squad. Luca Forchione provided the first for Vale in the 12th minute and was in on another squabble in the 6yd box when Holmer Green defence managed to clear the ball off the line only to have it powered back at the keeper who got a punch at it only for it to be volleyed back at goal for a 3rd time, this time it went high. The pressure was constant and Nathan Scarfe brought the 2nd for the claret & blues in the 32nd minute. Vale dropped to 10 men a few minutes later when Luca suffered an injury but this had little effect on the game and he was to return to the pitch after minor treatment on the sideline. Chris Hawes gave Vale another chance seconds before halftime, which rattled of the right post.
The second half began with no change to the possession & play. Pat Hurst joined the score sheet 5 minutes in, and Luca missed out narrowly as his shot struck the crossbar 2 minutes later. The goal kick didn’t put the ball out far & as Vale slotted the ball in the net a call for offside had it was disallowed. Holmer Green made several attempts to get back into the game but was out manoeuvred at each attempt, on one of these occasions, with the ball & almost all their players well into the centre of the Vale end, a cross to the wing gave Pat Hurst a clear run back up the field. Having cleared all but the keeper, who came out to attack the ball, he was disappointed to only rattle the outside of the left post. The 69th minute and Vale were up on the left wing again; Craig Stillwell was instrumental in the set up, delivering a superb cross that Nathan Scarfe slotted away. Jordan Murphy also joined the goal scoring tally another 60 seconds later. With last five minutes to play out, Holmer Greens keeper put in another superb effort to prevent the defeat becoming any greater, yet again he cleared a strike from Vale only to have the ball driven back again which he managed to get a hold on.
Aylesbury now go through to the 3rd round and are to play Chiltern Athletic Colts.
