So good to be back
Aztecs junior sides loving being in action again
WITH the second enforced lockdown ended, Ashbourne Aztecs’ many keen young footballers were able to get out on to the pitches again at the weekend.
It did not matter to them that the weather was unwelcoming – far more important was the chance to play again.
The Aztecs Under-14 Lions, playing for the first time in five weeks, made a strong return, winning 5-2 away to Allestree Lyon at Darley Park in Derby.
Heavy drizzle made the conditions slippery and, for the first 20 minutes, the teams battled for ascendancy with chances at both ends.
Luca Baird and Lucas Shirtcliffe had fine games at the back, dealing with Allestree’s wingers, while Matty Gillis, Oliver Love and goalkeeper Jamie Longyear were also in good form in defence.
After 22 minutes, Aztecs got themselves in front after a quick counter-attack.
Dejvid Sidders’ through ball sent Harry Wallis away and he was tripped by the Allestree keeper inside the box .
The referee initially played an advantage but when Kian Beresford’s shot hit the bar, he blew for the penalty, which captain Declan Walwyn slotted home.
Aztecs made it 2-0 just before half-time after Josh Menaj’s run earned a corner.
Sidders found Alejandro Garcia-quintero and he hit a fine shot from 20 yards into the top corner.
Now Ashbourne were in the driving seat and two more goals followed after the break, Joe Stelfox beating the offside trap to score the third before Bailey Smith scored an excellent solo goal, finishing with the outside of his right boot.
Allestree kept pressing, pulling one back with a good free kick, then making it 4-2 from a corner.
Aztecs were not to be denied and, soon, they sealed the win with a fifth goal, the move involving Wallis, Menaj and Smith before Sidders slotted the ball home.
Next up, the under-14s have a cup quarter-final away to Belper Town.
UNDER-14S: J Longyear, L Baird, L Shirtcliffe, O Love, D Walwyn, M Gillis, A Garcia-quintero, H Wallis, D Sidders, J Menaj, J Stelfox, B Smith, K Beresford.
AZTECS Under-11 Lions put in a really good performance against a strong Chesapeake All Stars team.
They had good conditions for their games and both teams set out to play the right way, zipping passes around.
Chances were few during the first half but Aztecs broke through with some fine play down the right by Matthew Ackers, who cut the ball back for Will Costabile to apply the finishing touch.
Chesapeake battled back well and the duo of Ed Cowley and Jack Jennings were strong at the back for Ashbourne.
The second half proved more open and Fergus Patterson almost scored a brilliant goal, turning on the touchline and leaving three defenders floundering before finishing clinically.
Unfortunately, he had briefly run the ball out of play and the goal was chalked off.
However, Costabile soon scored again and Aztecs’ defence and midfield stood firm towards the end, with Ben North and Shia Grocott typifying their determination.
AZTECS Under-nine Knights made their return in rain and mud against Mickleover Jubilee Santos.
Both teams struggled to find any rhythm in the first half, which proved largely a midfield battle.
Aztecs lost forward Oliver Whitaker early in the game to injury but did not let this bother them and long-range efforts from Rory De Sousa and Jacob Brown were saved by the Mickleover goalkeeper.
At the other end, Cooper Goldstraw put in a man-ofthe-match performance in defence, allowing very few chances as well as distributing well to launch counterattacks.
Josh Bertenshaw, in goal, also did what was necessarty to keep Mickleover at bay.
In the second half, Mickleover dominated physically but the Knights matched with a slick passing style.
Both teams were rewarded for positive play with a number of goals, with Zac Hamilton, Harry Duckmanton and Cyrus Thomason all on target.
The under-nines would like to thank to H Lee & Son for their sponsorship this season.
AZETCS Under-eight Wasps looked sharp and focused from the first whistle as they returned to action against Littleover Dazzlers.
Harry Sellers got them on the scoresheet early with a strong dribble and cool finish and although the Dazzlers were playing some good passing football, Bobby Morritt and Daniel Cowley looked strong in defence.
Kieran Harrison added another goal for Aztecs before half-time and the second half remained hard-fought, with Ben Longley and Sidney Robinson both taking turns to look strong in goal.
Hayden Evans and Oscar Marsh added goals for the Wasps before the end.
THE Under-eight Hornets faced Melbourne Dynamo Steel in their return to action and turned in a fine performance.
After a fast start, Archie Jones scored the first goal with a remarkable strike from the halfway line.
At the back, Ben Longley worked really hard, while William brown and Ralfe Dodes consistently put in 100% effort. Joe Webster also made some good runs.
The Dynamos came back with a goal in the second half but Hayden Evans scored a cracker for the Hornets and goalkeeper Sydney Robinson saved a number of shots to keep the Ashbourne team in the ascendancy.