Derby Daze II.....

Another enthralling game from the claret & blue "moles". A game that held your attention to the very last second... Then, for good measure, for another 1200 seconds... then the nerve wracking.... well.... read for yourself, I'm going for a lay down in a darkened room... (Where's that bottle of Single Malt to calm my nerves..!)

Under 15’s – Referee’s Cup Semi Final

Aylesbury Town 2 (pens 3) – Aylesbury Vale 2 (pens 4)


A thrilling Semi-Final to the Referee’s Cup was played out at Fairford Leys yesterday, (Sunday) with end-to-end action & drama. The 2nd Division Aylesbury Town took the more dominant position through the early part of the first half although Vale (Div 3) weren’t without their own chances. Pat Hurst made the first attempt for Vale, a throw from an almost corner position, which he raised just over the crossbar. However, Town took the opening goal; forward Brandon Yarwood lifted a through pass from the left wing over the Vale keeper Gary Bidgway in the 23rd minute. Vale responded through midfielder Andy Thorp but he wasn’t able to level the scores. Town would have managed to increase their lead but an offside call kept them only the 1 goal ahead. Chris Hawes blasted a shot just wide of target for Vale late in the period but that was as close as they managed before the break.

The second half opened with Vale on a charge, a close call for Town & in particular keeper Liam Twyman, in the opening seconds gave a wake up call to the importance of this match. Again the action moved from end-to-end but Vale were determined to stay in the game. Midway through the 2nd half Chris Hawes took control of a loose ball at the halfway line & brought it cleanly along the right wing; turning the ball back across goal Durelle Palmer tipped the ball over the outstretched Twyman. Hawes retrieved another loose ball in the 70th minute but only managed to turn it into the hands of Twyman. Two minutes later a free kick awarded to Vale was lifted forward & fell to Nathan Scarfe who buried it away to put Vale ahead. Vales defence held strong and the win was coming their way but a last minute lob from Davio Rotulo cleared substitute keeper Andy Thorp and pushed the game into extra-time.

The first period of extra-time was tense, with neither side managing to get a clear break.

The second period played out in the same vein, which pushed the game to the inevitable penalty shoot-out.

Each team had its five men selected & the keepers readied themselves for their duties. Aylesbury Town were first to step up:

Aylesbury Town penalties 1-1-0-1-0
Aylesbury Vale penalties 1-1-1-1

Aylesbury Vale will meet Long Crendon Youth (Div 2) in May for what promises to be an equally thrilling final.

I haven't forgotten....

... to update the blog.

With the postponed matches followed by the Easter break there has been no youth football to report on.
The Under 15's Referees Cup Semi Final against Aylesbury Town has been confirmed for this coming weekend (30th March).
The U16's Gerrards X & Fulmer match has been pencilled to be the last game of their season. They will be playing away at Widmer End Utd this weekend.

It's rainin' again,

Due to severe ground moistness the matches that were to be played have had to be postponed. The Under 15's Referees cup semi-final tie looks likely to be re-scheduled for March 30th. The 16's will be rearranged by the league & I'll get back to you on them.

Clash of the Titans...

Vales Under 16's had a weekend off this week, the Under 15's had anything but..! If I've used the term 'Epic' before to describe any of the matches I've reported on... I was lying..!
This was a highly charged... erm... epic!!


Under 15’s – Division 3

Marlow Royals 1 – Aylesbury Vale 0


A classic ‘top of the table’ tussle was played yesterday, (Sunday) away at Marlow.
The home team piled the pressure on for the first 10 minutes, with Vale hardly putting a foot outside their own half. Even though their presence was significant, only the one cross from the right corner onto approaching Lawrence Griffith, which was headed just over the bar, gave any real scare. . Vale took some 15 minutes to get into their stride and turn the pressure back at The Royals. By halfway through the period & with both sides playing on equal terms, Marlow got a break on the right; crossed in from the corner and volleyed at goal. Vale keeper, Gary Bidgway, managed to palm the ball away for a corner that was cleared to end the threat. Vale had a similar chance, 3 minutes before the break, when Durrelle Palmer received the ball & ran the right wing; crossing it in to Luca Forchione, who’s turn in to position gave keeper, Ben Luttermann, a vital second to move forward & block the shot. A corner awarded to Vale a minute later was delivered by Pat Hurst and despite the melee in the box was cleared off the line but turned back in by Forchione; Luttermann managed to stretch out on top of the loose ball & hold the game at nil-nil.
The second half re-opened as the first half had closed, a battle for a break in midfield and the visitors got the advantage. A through the centre ball to Chris Hawes who made the run & in turn despatched it at goal, leaving Ben Luttermann scrambling to retrieve it. Marlow had an opportunity wasted 10 minutes into the second half. A free kick delivered from outside left of the 18yd box, although on target for the far post, was easily plucked out of the air by Gary Bidgway. The game started to run out of pace through the middle of the period, with both sides having given their all through the preceding 60 minutes. However, neither side crumbled and possession was still equal. With the last 5 minutes ticking away, Marlow found some reserve pace; an almost clear run along the right wing for Lawrence Griffith until ‘the exocet’ James Marsh caught and dispossessed him for a throw-in. The ball made its way back towards the centre circle & The Royals had to start their efforts again. Marlow stole a last minute goal when Benn Hegerty made a run on the left & managed to out-pace right-back Chris Pope. Almost trapped at the end of the pitch he made a plucky cross at goal that whistled past the out-stretched Bidgway to secure the game for the home team.


The Under 16's return next week at home against Gerrards Cross & Fulmer. The 15's are playing the Referees Cup semi-final against Division 2 side Aylesbury Town (not to be confused with Div 3 Aylesbury Town Youth).
Hopefully I can get to both matches & bring them to you next week.

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.