Given how heavy the pitch was and the physicality of our opponents, we did really really to get a result out their today. The guys battled from the first minute to the last and when we got the chance we took it! A brilliant 3 points!

- Coach Cooper - U14 Ajax

(Many thanks to Coach Cooper for the match report)

Linslade Galaxy U14 Ajax 1 – 0 Shenley Mustangs U14

Dylan (70+1)

Att : 27 (est.)

With the weather forecast not looking great, it was touch and go whether the game would go ahead today and the rain in the early hours only made it look more doubtful. Coach Cooper arrived an hour before kick off to find the pitch in a surprising good condition given the weather and was happy the game would go ahead. Shenley Mustangs were today’s visitors and they we clearly eager to avenge their 2-0 home defeat to Ajax earlier in the season as they arrived at the ground a full 50 minutes before kick off.

The Linslade side were dealt a late blow when Cooper was informed Noah would be unavailable due to illness! This coupled with George being away and Luke still a few weeks away from fitness left the team with just 13 players for todays game.

Cooper kept faith with his 4-3-3 formation with Ethan in goal, William, Captain Foxy, Thomas and Seb at the back, Owen, Finn and the ever improving Jack in midfield with Lewis, Dylan and Benaiah occupying the front three positions. Waiting in the wings today were Harry and Michael.

The game kicked off with Ajax playing up the hill and it was clear from the onset, both teams were playing different styles of football. Ajax were trying to feed off the success of the previous fixture and getting the ball out wide, bypassing the strength and size of the Shenley centre backs and holding midfielder. Shenley on the other hand were looking to get the ball forward as quickly as possible and fell foul to the Ajax offside line 4 times in the first 10 minutes. When the long ball did get through, ‘keeper Ethan was always in the right place to either receive the ball back from his defenders or sweep clear.

Ajax were restricted to shots from range in the first half with Finn testing the opposition goalies hands and Foxy shooting wide from a tight angle. Michael did very well to find space to whip in a dangerous cross however this was cleared for a corner. A couple of minutes later, Michael found himself in space again but was agriculturally smashed into row Z by the overzealous Mustangs left back. Just a warning from the ref! Shenley were doing a good their best to keep the lively Ajax front free quiet by fair means or foul whilst at the other end, they looked quite dangerous from set pieces with a couple of corners bouncing dangerously around the Linslade box.

Even stevens at half time with the teams deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half began with Ajax shooting down the hill and the home side were immediately on the offensive. After great work in the midfield, Finn found himself clear on goal. He delayed his shot, beat the onrushing defender but the Shenley ‘keeper rushed out well to make the save. The rebound from Dylan was also saved before Owen’s shot from the outside of the area was wonderfully tipped onto the crossbar and out for a corner. You got the feeling that Ajax had just missed a real chance to grab the game!

Ajax continued to press with Jack and Lewis causing a real threat on the wings but Shenley were a threat with their direct paly on the counter attack. At one point, Thomas was left 3 v 1 but expertly stepped up at just the right time to player the onrushing Shenley players offside. Wonderful intelligence from our central defender to stop a certain goal! Ajax again pressed for the winner but with 10 minutes left on the clock, were extremely lucky to a. not go a goal down and b. not go a player down. With our captain Foxy caught out of position for a Shenley break, the Shenley player found himself clear through on goal. Racing back, Foxy slid in and tripped the player on the edge of the box. The crowd waited for the inevitable red card however the referee deamed a warning sufficient. The resulting Mustangs free kick sailed over the bar.

Shenley upped the anti after the challenge and were lucky not to see red themselves when their right back flew in two footed on Lewis but luckily took just the ball and none of our winger! Minutes later, Benaiah was caught with a high challenge resulting in him needing to be substituted.

The game drifted into injury time and it looked to be a stalemate however, Dylan (who barely had a kick all game) provided a moment of brilliance, turning his defender 25 yards from goal before unleashing a rocket into the ‘keepers left hand corner to score his 7th goal of the season, seal the points and cause wild celebrations. The injury time continued for what seemed like an age, and clearly riled, a Shenley midfield said something undesirable to Dylan who respnded by shoving him. A harsh yellow card for Dylan! Thankfully, the referee blew his whistle only seconds later and Ajax had won!

Today's Gartec players of the Match were Dylan and Thomas. Dylan barely had a kick all game but came up with the goods when it was required. Thomas was absolutely immense at the back and showed intellegence beyond his years.