Under-16s hit six to get their season going
ASHBOURNE Aztecs Under-16s got their season off to a fine start with a 6-0 win away to Mickleover Jubilee.
They soon took the lead with a James Donlan strike which deflected off Tyler Jackson on its way into the net.
Mickleover were a better side than the scoreline suggests and gave Ashbourne a real game, particularly in the first half.
Josh Wheeldon had to come off after about 20 minutes with his new boots giving him pain.
But further goals before half-time from Alex Cheetham and Donlan put Aztecs in control.
Jack Banks handed over to Jack Thomas in goal for the second half and both went on to keep clean sheets.
Tyler Jackson scored two more to complete a hat-trick before a deflected goal and then Donlan scored again to make it 6-0.
Aztecs’ defence held firm to ensure Mickleover did not get a sniff of a comeback.
UNDER-16S: Jack Banks, Jack Thomas, Thomas Barke, Jacob Wibberley-howe, Jack Green, Adam Leigh, Regan Ford, Tom Wain, Tyler Burton, Jayden Clamp, Harry Vinall, Tyler Jackson, James Donlan, Alex Cheetham.
FREDDIE Murphy scored a firsthalf hat-trick as Ashbourne Aztecs Under-14s announced themselvs in Division One of the Burton Junior League with an 8-2 win away to Ashby Ivanhoe.
They were soon into their stride, with clever interplay going forward and an uncompromising defence led by skipper Will Gerrard. Dan Burton relished the chance to seize control of midfield and Tye Bassett worked tirelessly to his right.
Chances soon started to come and it was a ferocious strike from outside the box by Toby Carolan that opened the scoring, the ball flashing into the roof of the net, giving the keeper no chance.
Then the goals started to flow, with Murphy’s three including an excellent chipped finish.
Logan Cuthbert added another beofre half-time to give Ashbourne a commanding 5-0 lead.
When Cuthbert added another with a powerful header from a Zack Bailey corner, it looked like a lot more could follow.
However, Ashby battled back and scored two quick goals themselves.
They were a long way short of a full comeback by that stage, though, and Carolan and Murphy scored one more each, as the under-14s saw out the game comfortably for a very encouraging start to the season.
ASHBOURNE Aztecs Juniors Under13s had only 11 players for their first taste of 11-a-side football on a big pitch and found it hard going, losing 4-1 at home to Mickleover RBL Pegasus.
Aztecs held their own for much of the time and both sides had first-half chances but it was Mickleover who scored twice from distance before half-time.
There was still plenty of determination about Ashbourne after the break and, after Mickleover had made it 3-0, a good through ball sent Theo Allen one-on-one with the visiting keeper and he scored calmly.
Mickleover added another but this was still a good effort from the under-13s. Henry Morton attended hoping for his debut but was unable to play due to injury.
Man of the match was Mackenzie James who showed a balance of composure and gritty determination.
UNDER-13S: Oscar Robinson, Alfred Scott, Charlie Taylor, James Moore, Freddie Garrett, Lucas Wood, Kieran Clarke, James Lawton, Theo Allen, Thomas Mason, Mackenzie James.
AZTECS Under-12s Cougars started their season with a hard-earned 2-0 win over Allestree at Alvaston Park.
There were chances at both ends at the start but Aztecs began to dominate with good football from Dejvid Sidders, Harry Moore and Joshua Menaj leading to an opening which was gratefully accepted by Pablo Artamendi Lyon, who finished with a shot into the roof of the net.
Changes were made after 15 minutes and fine link-up play from Matty Gillis, Lucas Shirtcliffe and Luca Baird impressed in midfield.
The second goal came in route one style when a clearance from GOALASHBOURNE keeper Jamie Longyear went straight over the top to Joe Stelfox, who finished calmly to make it 2-0 at halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern with defenders Oliver Love, Mason Hoult and Max Atkinson standing firm.
The nearest Aztecs came to a third goal was from a Declan Walwyn free kick and although the team were slightly disappointed not to score more, this was a good start to the season. Player of the match was Luca Baird.
THE Aztecs non-competitive Juniors Pumas Under-10s had to show character against what proved a very strong Codnor Boys Cobras, although they did score first through Finley Wood.
Cobras hit back to dominate play and score several goals but there was nothing lacking in the Ashbourne lads’ effort.
UNDER-10S: Luca Montgomery, Aidan Brown, Harry Lovatt, Ben Stubbs, Jack Tinker, Finley Wood, Rylee Hayes, Joseph Reeks.