It was top v bottom today at Bletchley Youth Centre as league leaders Ajax made the short trip up the road to basement club MK City Jaguars. Jaguars put on a very spirited display when the team met in the reverse fixture in January but eventually tired as Linslade won that won 9-2 in a score line that flattered the Linslade team a little. This would not be as easy for the table toppers as it suggested on paper.

Only one absentee for Coach Cooper this week with William pulling out with an illness at the last minute meaning a strong side could be selected as the Ajax aimed for 14 victories on the trot.

On a beautiful pitch in the resplendent sun, the game got underway and the leaders were immediately on the front foot. Some nice passing in the midfield, instigated by Captain Harry cut through the opponents. The ball went wide to Finn whose cross flashed across the face of goal, just beyond the reach of Joe and out for a goal kick.

With Ajax camped in the MK City half, the home side were resorting to the long ball on the break and it was from one of these they had their first chance but thankfully Luke was in the right place to intercept and clear the danger. City were growing into the game and with the Linslade passing game not up to its normal high standards, City were gaining more and more confidence. Jaguars then had a free kick 25 yards from goal. The shot looked destined for the top corner however ‘keeper Ethan had other ideas throwing himself to the left and not only saving the ball but also catching it! A great effort.

Ajax started to gain ascendancy with Dylan, Foxy and Joe all going close but seemingly, everyone had left their shooting boots at home! The long kicking of the MK goalkeeper was causing problems for the Ajax back 3 with Ethan again coming to the rescue to sweep and collect the ball on a few occasions.

Then the unthinkable happened just before half time! Another long kick out evaded the Ajax back three and the rapid City winger got his toe to the ball just before Ethan’s despairing lunge. Although at an extremely tight angle, his shot found the back of the net despite the best efforts of Big Seb on the line.

This was not the Ajax Coach Cooper or the visiting supporters had been accustomed to watching.

Half Time Jags 1 – 0 Ajax!!

The coaching team got the players in and demanding more. More talking, more effort and more quality in front of goal. The pleas did not go unanswered as the Ajax of old turned up almost immediately after the restart as a marauding run from Joe sent him clear through with the home ‘Keeper and although his shot was well saves, our resident fox in the box Matty AKA Foxy was on hand to smash home the rebound 1-1!!

Ajax were buoyant, with Cole showing a tremendous range of passing on the right and Noah and George wielding their wands of a left foot on the left. Big Seb, Little Seb and Thomas were repelling everything at the back as the visitors looked to kick on in the game. We’ve been here before and seen this Linslade team, backs to the wind and tails up destroy their opponents but this time there was to be a sting in the tail as they were hit by the ultimate sucker punch! Unchallenged, a City midfielder carried the ball from the halfway line to about 30 yards out and unleashed a rocket of a shot which would have beaten 2 goalies let alone just poor old Ethan! 2-1 to the home team and there was pandemonium from their bench and supporters! Boy, did Ajax have some work to do now!!

Ajax went straight up the other end and Joe was unlucky not to covert from a wicked Foxy cross. Ajax did equalize on their next attack though as Finn twinkle toed his way through no less than 4 challenges before slotting the ball into the bottom corner. The goal was Finn’s 50th for the club in just 47 appearances! Well done Finn!

Linslade than had their own free kick and although a full 30 yards from goal, it was well within the range of our freekick specialist Big Seb. His fiercely hit effort took a wicked deflection and found its way to the feet of Foxy who made no mistake from close range. 3-2 to the Ajax and better, much better!

The visiting support didn’t have long to wait for the next goal either as a Big Seb corner could only be parried by the home goalie and Foxy was again in the right place and the right time to smash home his Hat-trick! 4-2

Great work and pressure from Maddy nearly made it 5 as she tackled the full back following a short goal kick. Her cross found Finn who narrowly shot over.

It was to be a tight finish to the game though as on the break MK City found themselves through on goal to make it 4-3.

With only a couple of minutes left, some great time management saw the visitors though to the narrowest of victories.

Our Gartec Player of The Match was Foxy. His ability to be our Fox in the Box today was the difference between us going home with 3 points or no points!

Coaches Comments:

“Firstly, I would like to play tribute to our hosts MK City today. Their performance on the pitch today defies their lowly position in the league and there coaching staff should be very proud. They celebrated their narrow defeat like a victory which says a lot about their attitude. I wish them all the best for the remainder of the season. Onto our performance now. Ultimately we came for the 3 points and left with the 3 points so I cannot be too disappointed. It was a bit flat out their at times but remember, we are coming towards the end of the longest season these guys have ever played. In the end, we showed the resilience and battled qualities to overcome our opponents and take another huge step towards our end goal of promotion.”