Derby Daze...

Both the U15's & U16's were playing in the area yesterday, so pen, paper & coffee to hand & despite a bitter wind the games went.... well.... they were played(?)...

Under 15’s – Division 3

Aylesbury Town Youth 5 – Aylesbury Vale 0


A disappointing performance saw Vale lose their first league match in 2 seasons in a local derby yesterday (Sunday).

Aylesbury Town were giving nothing away from the start and with only four minutes played Chris Byrne slotted Towns 1st goal away. The restart; and Town picked up the ball & sent it down the right wing, left-back James Marsh attempted to clear the ball across to the far-side of play but as the ball looped high in the air the wind caught hold & dropped it square in front of the incoming James Reid. An open invitation that needed no second thought, he banged it into the net. When Vale did get a little switched on they had a few chances; Towns keeper, Matthew Dean having made a save on an incoming low attack fumbled & dropped the ball which Vales Pat Hurst collected & swung back over the keepers head, only to have it stopped on the line by a slightly opportunistic defender. Town made another charge halfway through the first period; a lobbed ball forward was picked up by Vale right-back Chris Pope, he ran it along the right a tipped in to Andy Thorpe who lifted it over & onto the now charging Chris Hawes. Hawes’ touch was timed to perfection but again the solid defending prevented the visitors from getting on the scoresheet.
The opening of the second half & Vale had reset themselves. A free kick awarded to Vale just outside the 18yd box (right) gave Hurst the open chance to swing the ball in over the 6yd area, all heads went up & Hawes just missed out on tipping it in on the far post. Vale were back again, this time a corner from the right. Hursts almost signature style of floated in ball this time did find the head of Chris Hawes, who despatched it with venom. It was blocked on the line & put out for another corner. The cross in was toe-tipped over the bar & with it went the fire of the Vale attack. Very little happened through the middle of the period, Town had the greater desire but were unable to gain a bigger advantage. That was to change, with a bombardment that was to start in the 67th minute. Chris Byrne came from nowhere with a screamer of a shot that gave no warning as it filled the back of the net. 3 minutes later after one attacking shot had rebounded off the left post, Sam Monastryskyj managed to get on the end of it & lob the keeper, Gary Bidgway, slotting the ball neatly under the centre of the crossbar. 75 minutes & Town took one more goal to round of their hard work, Martin Eldred claiming the reward.


Under 16’s – League Cup 5th Round (Quarter-finals)

Aylesbury Vale 1 – Aylesbury Town 2


Vales League Cup hopes were quashed yesterday (Sunday), in a hard fought local derby. The term “Game of two halves” couldn’t have been more fitting.

The match was set to be an epic from the start. A free kick awarded to Town was despatched by Adam Beckett towards the far post, nothing came of the opportunity & Vale took stock & settled. Vale were determined in their efforts; Lewis Roots, having been denied a scoring chance after a run along the left minutes earlier was assisting in another attack. A neatly crossed ball from just right of centre to left of the 18yd box & Roots volley high over the keeper came back down for the goal. 27 minutes in, Aaron Grant also on a 2nd attack blasted a targeted shot which keeper, Tom Pagett had to stretch fully for to palm over the bar. Vale had the greater possession & dominance through to the break.

The second half was to be a complete reversal. Towns captain, Jordan Jenkins, deep in the Vale half put in a spectacular overhead kick, which was collected by Vale keeper Nathan Davis. Town had another break & surged forward and despatched another shot on goal, which Davis palmed out for a corner. The ball supplied was cleared but only a short way & Kane Harwood sent it back over the heads of the defence to level the scoring (59). It was only two minutes later when another conceded free kick had Beckett lining himself up again. This time he didn’t need anyone on the far-post, he placed the ball perfectly & Davis hardly got a glimpse as it sailed into the top right corner. Town continued to keep the home team away from the opportunity of pushing the game into extra-time.