Patience pays off for Aztecs

ASHBOURNE Aztecs Amazon Warriors Under-14s produced their best all-round team performance of the season so far in the Derbyshire Girls and Ladies League.

They brushed aside Sleetmoor 4-0 at Ashbourne Recreation Ground.

The first half brought plenty of Aztecs pressure but no goals, even though Sleetmoor struggled to get out of their own half at times and rarely made it as far as the Aztecs defensive third.

Goalkeeper Sophie Redfern had little to do but kept her concentration well when required, as defenders Edie Gill, Bella Millward, Hannah Dennison, Emily Martin and Lucy Dennison held a high line throughout the half.

That left midfielders Taylor Thomas, Evie Elliott, Arya Beresford, Sarah Brown and Izzy Twigge the chance to take control but the Sleetmoor goalkeeper was in excellent form to deny forwards Sophie Duckmanton, Mollie Davies and Kacie Evans.

The message at half-time was more of the same and a slight change of formation made Sleetmoor drop deeper and deeper under the pressure.

The pressure finally paid off when Sophie Duckmanton got the first goal with a neatly placed finish to the near post.

Mollie Davies added two more goals. The first came in the 46th minute with a wellplaced shot into the bottom corner and her second was a shot into the top corner following a pass from Sophie Duckmanton.

Kacie Evans added a welldeserved fourth in the last minute as she pounced on a loose ball and beat the goalkeeper to roll the ball into the goal.

Taylor Thomas was named player of the match for a lively performance in midfield with some lung-busting bursts forward.

The Warriors travel to play second-placed Stanton Ilkeston in their next match.