Under-14s fight back with double
ASHBOURNE Aztecs Under14s racked up six points from a double header on the same day at Osmaston to put their previous week’s cup semifinal disappointment behind them.
Both games were against Spondon Dynamos and they had their first wrapped up by half-time, thanks to a double strike from Bailey Smith and a goal from Josh Menaj.
The back line limited the opportunities for the Derby side, with Luca Baird, Lucas Shirtcliffe and Matty Gillis having solid games.
The second game had a spectacular start as Menaj danced his way through the Spondon defence to make it 1-0 after 15 seconds.
However, any thoughts that Aztecs might turn it into a rout were dispelled as the rest of the half was played out evenly with Jamie Longyear, Oliver Love and Declan Walwyn keeping things tidy at the back and Alejandro Garcia-quintero having another fine game in midfield.
Substitutions at half-time saw Archie Pitt and James King getting a run out.
Dejvid Sidders was unlucky to be caught offside on the first counter attack of the half.
Spondon battled hard and, with 10 minutes to go, scored a brilliant equaliser.
With the seconds ticking away, Harry Wallis burst through one on one and fired in the winner for the Aztecs.
Last week, the Under-14s had lost their League Cup semi-final to unbeaten Belper Sports 1-0 after extra time.
From the off there was very little in the game, although the Belper side seemed to settle quicker with their neat passing causing a few issues.
Solid defending by Luca Baird, Matty Gillis, Lucas Shirtcliffe and Love kept the Belper forwards at bay.
At the other end, Joe Stelfox had some determined runs aided by Menaj and Sidders but the Aztecs main threat was from corners and a Wallis shot was the closest to breaking the deadlock.
Aztecs came closer in the second half when a terrific shot from Harry Moore hit the underside of the bar and stayed out.
Longyear somehow clawed a goal-bound effort off the line and Walwyn and Garciaquintero made excellent blocks when Belper threatened.
Bailey Smith worked hard on the left of midfield to try to push Aztecs forward in extra time but they were caught out by a long ball that the Belper striker tucked away.
Aztecs could not force an equaliser but the team can hold their heads high after a fantastic performance in which Smith was named player of the match.
AZTECS UNDER-14S squad: J Longyear, O Love, L Baird, L Shirtcliffe, D Walwyn, M Gillis, H Wallis, H Moore, B Smith, D Sidders, J Menaj, J Stelfox, A Garcia-quintero, J King, A Pitt.
IN THE latest of their Under-16 spring friendlies, Ashbourne Aztecs overcame an early two-goal deficit to run out comfortable 7-3 winners against Uttoxeter Juniors.
It was a tight game at the start but Uttoxeter took the lead after 15 minutes and doubled it five minutes later.
Aztecs slowly got a foothold in the game and a fine run and strike from the edge of the box by Kyle Clowes reduced the deficit.
Uttoxeter struck again to lead 3-1 at half-time but the second half was a different story as Aztecs tore into their opponents.
Logan Cuthbert headed home from a Freddie Murphy corner, then Noah Rodgers did the same from a Clowes corner.
It was his first goal in seven years playing for the club and brought them level at 3-3.
A good break and cross by Aleksey Tabony set up Will Heron to give them their first lead, then captain Dan Burton made it 5-3.
A late double from Murphy, the second a penalty, put Aztecs out of sight.