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Sunday 21st September
Bilton Ajax 2 – 7 Wellesbourne Under 13’s
This was Ajax’s first game of the season and was indeed a ‘game of two halves ‘.
Ajax dominated the first twenty minutes of the match and it was only eight minutes in when Coyle made a great run up the right wing to take a powerful shot which was parried by the Wellesbourne keeper, only for Coyle to take a second shot to score the opening goal.
Wellesbourne recovered to equalize after twenty seven minutes .They then took the lead two minutes later.
In the second half Wellesbourne came out all fired up, and Ajax took a back seat, failing to tackle or clear with any real commitment. The following twenty minutes saw the opposition score another five goals, with Marshall, for Ajax, getting a consolation goal towards the end of the game. The final score doesn’t do Ajax justice, and if there was more team effort and less individual skills, and the ability to attempt more shots at goal, then maybe the lads might be winners. Credit must go to Williams for a consistent performance at the back, but a lack of passion to shoot while in front of goal was Ajax’s downfall.
Sunday 28th September
Bilton Ajax 9 – 2 Woodloes Under 13’s
This was indeed a joy to watch. Some strategic alterations to players positions, by manager Rob Ward, before the match, left Ajax in total control of the field for the majority of the game.
Three minutes in saw striker Lewis Coyle pick up an easy through ball and slot it past the keeper, and six minutes later he travelled on a one man mission down the right wing to chip over the keeper for number two.
Concentration lapsed just long enough for Woodloes to pull one back and Ajax had to wait until thirty one minutes for James Lunn to get his first from a goal mouth scramble following a corner. A Golby through ball found James Lunn waiting for his second goal just before half time.
The second half saw a great individual run up the right wing and successful chip into the far corner from Connor Marshall to take Ajax into a 5-1 lead and a second consolation goal for Woodloes came via bad marking on a corner kick.
A four goal flurry then ensued with great finishing from Todd Williams on a solo effort starting from the halfway line, two goals from Rees Hawes with brilliant service from Marshall and Coyle.
And finally Connor Marshall got a well deserved second goal after a hectic goal mouth scramble where it seemed the ball wouldn’t go in the net.
What a difference a week makes, teamwork by everyone, including the subs, makes for a very pleasurable Sunday afternoon. Well Done!!!
Sunday 19th October 2008
Bilton Ajax 5 – 5 Snitterfield Colts Under 13’s
A match, where eventually both teams played as well and as poorly as each other and the spoils were shared.
It all started off so well for Ajax, and constant pressure found Rees Hawes strong enough up front to volley a powerful shot past a helpless Snitterfield keeper after only eight minutes. Against the run of play, a complacent midfield let through Snitterfield to grab an equaliser fifteen minutes later. Bilton continued to play the long balls through the middle for Andrew Ward and then James Lunn to put Ajax three one up at half time. Golby played exceptionally well with some spirited tackling and passing.
The second half saw Snitterfield up the pace and Ajax take a back seat as the visitors pulled one back four minutes into the second half. Jack Babbington was well rewarded for all his efforts just two minutes later with another individual run down the right wing finishing off with a cracking goal. Then during a fifteen minute spell three more goals were scored, one by Rees Hawes and two by Snitterfield to take it up to 5 – 5. Snitterfield had a final opportunity to clinch the three points with a penalty with ten minutes to go, but could only sky it way above the bar.
Ajax played some very nice football at the start of the game but slipped into mediocrity and failed to find the killer instinct in front of goal.
Sunday 9th November 2008
Alcester Athletic 6 – 1 Bilton Ajax
League Cup 1st Round
It wasn’t only some of the Ajax drivers/parents/supporters who lost their way to this windy, cold but dry away fixture against Alcester Athletic .
The score gives testimony to the fact that some of the players seem to have lost their way as well!
Ajax played against the strong wind in the first half, and after only a minute conceded the first goal from a corner, with the defence failing to mark one of the tallest players on the pitch who easily headed the ball home.
It took another twenty four minutes for Alcester to make it two nil, with Ajax showing no consistency in simple passing or committed tackling and Alcester went into half time four nil up after scoring two more from set pieces, once again marking , or the lack of it, the reason for the Ajax’s downfall.
The second half saw Ajax playing with the wind, but they failed to utilise their scoring opportunities with most of their efforts going wide of the mark.
Alcester scored two more, from a corner and free kick, same reasons as before and James Lunn scored a consolation goal with a minute to go.
The manager’s team talk, after the match, should be echoed here for all to read.
The team is better than any one individual, if you can’t show commitment or respect to coaches, manager, or the team, both on and off the pitch, you will be replaced.
Wise words, let’s just hope that everybody takes note!!!
Sunday 16th November 2008
Banbury Irish 3 – 3 Bilton Ajax
It was well worth the long trip to Banbury Irish for a very entertaining and sporting match played by both teams.
Ajax could only field ten men, due to injury, family commitments and selfish egos, and in an extremely sporting gesture, Banbury fielded ten men to match.
The game was evenly balanced until the thirteenth minute when Todd Williams made a run up front, from his usual defensive position, and with an adept one –two coolly slotted past an incoming defender and goalkeeper.
The game continued to be fought out in midfield until ten minutes from half time, when a long punt up field from the Banbury keeper, found the Ajax defence totally out of position leaving the Ajax keeper no chance.
Ten minutes into the second half saw yet another long ball tear through the Ajax defence and with only Alex Maguire in goal to beat Banbury took the lead.
Jack Babbington made it two all from the penalty spot after Andrew Ward was fouled in the box, and then he put Ajax into the lead with a great shot following some good support work from Andrew Ward again.
With five minutes to go Banbury piled on the pressure and were thoroughly rewarded with a free header from a last minute corner.
A mention must be given to Shane Cave who worked tirelessly at right back, midfield and upfront!!!!
Thanks to all the lads of both teams a very fair referee and the Banbury Irish management for taking such a sporting attitude. Long may it continue.
Sunday 23rd November 2008
Bilton Ajax 4 – 3 Emscote Colts
A cold afternoon at Alwyn Road saw an entertaining match played under blue skies, grey skies and torrential rain.
Ajax dominated the first fifteen minutes, with some good passing and tactical play and despite numerous attempts at goal could not find the back of the net. Colts, on the other hand had only one attempt at goal, and scored with a cracking shot from way out on the right wing after seventeen minutes. A good shot parried by Maguire in goal fell back to the feet of the Colts attacker two minutes later who didn’t need a third shot to score.
Ajax continued to push the ball around but could make no headway, and Emscote took a third goal against the run of play. James Lunn managed to lob the Colts keeper a minute before half time to give Bilton a glimmer of hope and reward for their first half efforts.
The second half saw Ajax again dominate midfield and, as weather conditions turned decidedly worse, Todd Williams pulled another goal back. It was that man Williams again who sent in one of his typical corners which found James Lunn free to head home the equaliser. Bilton were rewarded with the three points after twenty-seven minutes when Jack Babbington scored the winner, a fitting end to the match for his hard work and effort throughout the game. Ajax then battened down the hatches to deny Colts any points at all.
Bilton deserved this win, and for the second week every player seems to be giving their all for the team, if only they would score earlier in their matches, the managers, and supporter’s blood pressures might take less of a pounding.
Sunday 30th November
Kenilworth Town 2 – 5 Bilton Ajax
Another away match proved lucrative for Ajax this weekend with a decisive win.
Kenilworth went one up after eight minutes with a prolonged goal mouth scramble, where Ajax couldn’t clear the ball properly despite numerous attempts, but only had to wait five minutes for Todd Williams to take the ball down the left hand side and coolly lob it over the displaced keeper.
Jack Babbington then made the score sheet with a run from midfield and a carefully placed shot to the side of Kenilworth’s keeper.
With two minutes to half time , Kenilworth equalised ,direct from a free kick outside the box, by carefully lobbing it over the Ajax goalies head.
The second half started well for Ajax as a Todd Williams corner found James Lunn’s head who powered it in, and the favour was returned, twenty minutes later when Lunn’s well placed cross found Todd Williams with only the keeper to beat.
Ajax made sure of three points with another goal from Lunn with ten minutes to go.
Once again Bilton played as a complete team, despite having no substitutes, and every one worked for each other with no selfish attitudes.
It’s getting better every week, keep it up!!!!!!
Sunday 7th December 2008
Stratford Phoenix 2-3 Bilton Ajax
Supplementary Cup Preliminary Round
A typical cup tie and all that goes with it. Disputes, arguments, ill feeling, bad tempers and bad language, thank goodness the lads on the pitch rose above the adults’ behaviour, and let their football do the talking.
At a cold and frozen Stratford High School the referee made the teams move to a less frosted pitch, to save players injuries, and the game proceeded fairly evenly for the first twenty eight minutes.
Andrew Ward then made a probing run up the left wing past a handful of defenders and made a great attempt at goal, but the luckless Phoenix keeper could only parry the shot into the path of Jack Babbington who easily tapped it in.
A dubious tackle, which went unpunished by the referee, on Alex Maguire in goal, held up the game for five minutes, and led to the touch line disputes.
Just one minute into the second half saw a Todd Williams typical in swinging corner find Josh Hughes who made it two -nil. Bilton then defended their lead for all its worth, but under sustained pressure, Stratford pulled one back after twelve minutes.
Straight from the restart Jack Babbington picked a through ball up and easily slotted it past the keeper to make it three – one.
Ajax then had numerous chances which they failed to convert, and Stratford pulled one back on the thirty fourth minute.
A well deserved win for the Bilton boys, and The Man of the Match award was given to Akshay Mistry who played a great game at full back.
One must question the attitude of some parents and team officials, on the sidelines, who blatantly use foul language during a match and allow their offspring and charges to do the same on the pitch.
Also referees, who played thirty years ago and remember goalies being bundled into the back of the net by a centre forward, not having their attitudes and rule interpretations modernised and brought up to today’s standards.
Sunday 21st December 2008
Emscote Colts 1 – 2 Bilton Ajax Supplementary Cup 1st Round
Another well earned win in the cup for the Ajax boys, takes them through to the quarter finals.
It was especially deserved after turning up with only nine men, holidays and illness causing the absences.
Emscote, in a sporting gesture, allowed Dave, one of their substitutes, to don the red and white stripes of Ajax and make our number up to ten.
The game was very tight for the first twenty five minutes, with no side making a breakthrough, then Jack Babbington struck a tremendous volley from outside the box to leave the Colts goalie statue like between the sticks.
That man Babbington struck again, seven minutes later, with a cheeky punt towards the goal, the high bounce going straight over the keepers head.
The second half continued with both sides piling on the pressure and Emscotes’ only goal came after a shot from a corner was parried just into the corner by Alex Maguire.
Todd Williams was unlucky to score, despite sterling work up front, and thanks must go to his dad, Dave, for running the line, falling over in the mud, and giving us all a good laugh.
Men of the Match were, Ali Walker, George Golby and Jack Babbington, but every team member played to their full capabilities.
Merry Christmas and a successful New Year.
Sunday 18th January 2009
Wellsbourne 4 – 1 Bilton Ajax
This was Ajax’s’ first game back since before Christmas and it showed. Having said that, top of the league Wellesbourne made hard work of it to extract the three points.
Wellesbourne got off to a great start with only three minutes gone catching the Bilton defence out with a well aimed lob from the right wing, on a pitch which appeared to be full size.
They went on to double their score, twenty minutes later, with exactly the same shot but from the left wing!
Bilton should have copied their opponent’s example in the second half with some lob shots coming out of the sun, but the Wellesbourne keeper was once again not tested.
Ajax conceded a third goal ,twenty two minutes in to the second half, after a goalmouth scramble following a corner, and let the fourth in seven minutes later with exactly the same scenario. No lessons learnt there then.
James Lunn scored a consolation goal for Ajax, with a minute to go, chasing a lovely through ball down the right wing and chipping over the keeper.
Lacking match fitness appeared to be Bilton’s’ problem, as commitment and team spirit were there in abundance, but with no match next week the problem will occur again.
Sunday 1st February 2009
Bilton Ajax 6 – 2 Lawford United
On a cold afternoon at Alwyn Road, Ajax dominated this semi-final cup game right from the start. After only three minutes a fine combination of passes involving Shane Cave and Jack Babington put a great through ball in the path of new signing Mat Gibbard, who coolly shot past the Lawford keeper. United retaliated straight away, and two minutes later scored an equaliser. Ajax continued to have the majority of the play, but failed to finish off any of their chances.
The second half started off well with Mat Gibbard picking up another through ball and putting Ajax into the lead, and then he made his debut hatrick with another goal fifteen minutes later. With Ajax now completely dominating midfield, Andrew Ward lobbed a shot towards goal but the Lawford keeper could only manage to palm it into the roof of his own net. On eighteen minutes Shane Cave scored a well deserved tap-in from a Mat Gibbard across goal pass and Lawford, although now 5-1 down, still persevered to score their second.
A well taken penalty, by Todd Williams, after Jack Babington was brought down in the area two minutes from time, put the icing on the Bilton cake. Well done lads.
Sunday 22nd February 2009
Emscote Colts 3 – 1 Bilton Ajax
Bilton Ajax made another fruitless trip to Emscote Colts this week, but actually played football!
The scoreline really doesn’t do the Bilton lads justice, as they appeared to play a better quality of football but came away with nothing but their dignity.
On Emscote's apparently smaller than the FA recommended pitch size, including smaller goals, Bilton’s free flowing passing game was thwarted because of the lack of space.
Emscote took the lead after just five minutes with their trademark ’ hoof it down the middle, down the slope, with the wind behind it’ style to catch out the Bilton defence, and carried out this for most of the first half to take a three nil lead up to the break.
Ajax played some nice passing football but failed to test properly or get anything passed the agile Emscote keeper.
The second half saw Ajax able to use the slope and the wind and Matty Gibbard pulled one back after fourteen minutes with a fine cross from James Lunn. Bilton kept up the pressure for the rest of the second half but failed to capitalise on their possession, and with twenty seven minutes gone an isolated breakaway from Emscote caught the Bilton defence napping to take a four one final score.
Some dubious linesman’s decisions or the lack of decisions, including three penalty area handballs in the first half alone, did no favours for Bilton.
While the FA have recommended pitch and goal post sizes that most teams conform to, it would be nice if all teams were actually playing on a level playing field, with uniform pitch and goal post sizes. We made the progression to a bigger pitch this season, why couldn’t the table leaders?
Sunday March 1st 2009
Bilton Ajax 7 – 3 Lawford United
With a full squad, full size pitch and full size goals, Ajax won this match quite convincingly.
Bilton had the run of play right from the kick off, with skirmishes in front of the Lawford goal, but failed to capitalise on their possession. Lawford‘s first foray into the Ajax area, after ten minutes, resulted in one shot and one goal.
A minute later, good ball skills from Todd Williams, Connor Marshall and the finishing touch from James Lunn gave Bilton the equaliser.
Another fifteen minutes went by, with Ajax having control of most of the park, but once again Lawford took their opportunity well to take the lead.
A minute later, Jack Babington, on a run down the right wing, lobbed a great shot over the oncoming keeper to make it 2-2. Matty Gibbard took Ajax into half time 3-2 up, with a great chip over the goalie.
The second half started with Ajax piling on the pressure with some great one touch football, and a Todd Williams in swinging corner found Jack Babington in the right place to make it 4-2.
George Golby slipped a great through ball to the feet of Matty Gibbard, who gave the Lawford keeper no chance to make a save, but Lawford, to their credit, still kept plugging away, and were rewarded with a consolation goal with ten minutes to go.
Josh Hughes, aka Gigsy, was justly rewarded for all his efforts with a great run and goal from the right wing, and Jack Babington got his hatrick, just before the end, with a great team effort of simple passing one touch football.
Ali Walker should also get a mention, for his tireless effort in the middle of the back four.
Bilton had the opportunity to take their score into double figures, but failed in front of goal, that said, every player contributed to a marvellous team effort, and you should all be very pleased with yourselves. Well done, it was a pleasure to watch!!!
Sunday 8th March 2009
Lawford United 2 – 1 Bilton Ajax Under 13’s
United turned the tables on Ajax this week running out winners on a cold, wet, small, pitch at Lawford.
The match started off in driving rain and finished in blue skies, but this did nothing to warm the attitudes of some parents on the sidelines.
Ajax, like last week, had the majority of the play, but were only capable of putting half hearted shots at the Lawford keeper, and after twenty minutes Lawford managed to breakaway and score the opening goal.
Ten minutes later United capitalised on an Ajax defensive blunder to go into half time two nil up.
The second half saw Bilton create most chances and Shane Cave was rewarded for his efforts with a cracking goal from the edge of the box.
The game then deteriorated rapidly, off the pitch, when a linesman flagged a player for offside, when he was not interfering with play. Abuse was then directed at the stand-in referee, who had a very good game, and play was held up while ‘handbags’ were drawn, swung and put away again.
Once again, the use of small goals and pitches, well meaning linesmen, who don’t know the offside rules, and parents, who appear to have no standards or values to pass on to their offspring, spoil what should be a simple leisure activity.
Sunday 15th March 2009
Bilton Ajax 11 -4 Stratford Phoenix Under 13’s
Ajax ran riot today, with a superb display of teamwork, endeavor and selfless commitment to run out easy winners on a bright and sunny afternoon at Alwyn Road.
A proper sized pitch and decent sized goalposts gave the Bilton boys space and width to play their usual type of simple, open, one touch football, and did it pay dividends!
Up front James Lunn put Ajax into the lead after three minutes, and within another six minutes Jack Babington and Matty Gibbard had joined the score sheet with great interactive play between all of them.
Going into the interval, Ajax had scored another four , courtesy of Jack Babington (1), James Lunn (2) and Matty Gibbard (1) and Phoenix had pulled back three to take the halftime score to 7-3.
The second half started with a goal from a Todd Williams typical in swinging corner, and Stratford pulled one back twenty minutes later.
The final onslaught came in a seven minute period with Jack Babington scoring another two, and Josh Hughes deservedly scoring the final goal.
With three substitutes available, every player took part and all contributed to a fine team performance.
Man of the Match. Nigel Lunn (caretaker manager)
Sunday 29th March 2009
Woodloes 4 – 8 Bilton Ajax
Ajax travelled to Warwick with just eleven players, and showed just how much strength in depth the team possess.
Once again they were unlucky to reach double figures and every player contributed to an outstanding performance.
The first half hour saw a fairly even game with Matty Gibbard scoring two great goals, one on eleven minutes after a great through ball from Josh Hughes and then on twenty two minutes on an individual run from the halfway line.
Woodloes still continued to attack and pulled one back after twenty seven minutes and then equalised on the half hour after a bizarre back pass return header from Alex Maguire in goal.
Bilton went into half time 3-2 up, following a long throw in from Josh Wookey which eventually found the net via Jack Babington’s head.
Ajax came out in the second half, all guns blazing, and after five minutes, Giggsy lobbed a great free kick straight over a lead footed keeper.
A couple of minutes later that goal scoring machine Gibbard got his hatrick after taking on three defenders and the keeper and beating all of them.
James Lunn then got a deserved goal following a Jack Babington pass and then an own goal put Bilton in the lead 7 – 2.
Jack Babington got his second with a well thought chip over the keeper to finish the scoring for Bilton Ajax.
Woodloes came back with two more goals, but they were of little consolation.
Bilton let their football do the talking, unlike some of the adults, who do not know when to be quiet!
Men of the Match:- Alex Maguire, Josh Wookey, Shane Cave, Adam Cobb, Andrew Ward, Josh Hughes, Ali Walker, James Lunn, Jack Babington, George Golby, Matty Gibbard and finally Rob Ward for his tactical retreat on the side line.
Sunday 5th April 2009
Bilton Ajax 1-3 Kenilworth Town
Due to holiday commitments Ajax could only scrape together nine players for this game, against a bare bones Kenilworth eleven.
However the score line flatters, what turned out to be a gritty determined effort from every Ajax player, and they deserved a draw at least.
With only Matty Gibbard up front, ably supported by George Golby, Jack Babington and Josh Hughes, Bilton dominated the first fifteen minutes, but with a diminished midfield any Kenilworth attack was potentially dangerous and Bilton went down two nil.
Matty Gibbard pulled one back on the half hour and Bilton went into half time with a great positive attitude.
Sterling work from Andrew Ward, Shane Cave and Akshay Mistry kept Kenilworth at bay for the first ten minutes of the second half, but once again numbers overwhelmed the stretched defence and Kenilworth scored a third.
Ajax had numerous attacks on the Kenilworth goal , but never really tested the stand in keeper, while in the Bilton defence ,Men of the Match , Alex Maguire in goal and Adam Cobb at fullback thwarted most of the Kenilworth’s attempts on goal.
In an ideal situation games should not be scheduled to be played during school holidays, as player absences do not make for fair or exciting football, something which we have all come to expect from the Ajax boys.
Back to Top
Sunday 19th April 2009
Bilton Ajax 1-3 Kenilworth Warden Colts (aet)
Supplementary Cup Final
Well this was the one we’ve all been waiting for, and it was only the result that disappointed.
On a superb Central Ajax pitch, with a referee and linesman to match, two sportsmen like teams, and a large well behaved set of vociferous supporters on the side lines, the scene was set. Even the sun was shining.
Bilton piled on the pressure from the whistle, and had most of the possession for the first ten minutes, with the midfield and forwards dominating the pitch.
A quarter of an hour in, saw Bilton’s first real chance go over the bar from a Todd Williams free kick, and such was Bilton’s dominance that Wardens first attempt at goal didn’t come until the twenty second minute. Just five minutes later an opportunity for Matty Gibbard to open the scoring seemed quite possible but his powerful shot fell short of its mark. Another Gibbard probing foray down the right wing, a couple of minutes later, saw an assist to Jack Babington, whose powerful shot could not be contained by the Wardens keeper. First blood deservedly to Ajax.
Bilton continued to maintain possession, and Kenilworth fought doggedly on, maintaining composure at all times.
Half Time - Bilton 1 – 0 Kenilworth
The second half saw Ajax come out all guns blazing, and after only seven minutes Matty Gibbard found himself with only the keeper to beat, but couldn’t find enough power in his shot to slip it past the oncoming goalie.
Two minutes later came Bilton’s best chance of sealing the match, as a Wardens defender hand balled in the area , Todd Williams stepped up to the spot , but skied the ball over the bar. This seemed to give Wardens a fresh impetus to get stuck in , and seven minutes later Kenilworth made a quick counter attack, finding the Bilton defence and midfield totally out of position. A great shot from Shaun Meade to the top corner of the net, left Alex Maguire, in the Ajax goal absolutely no chance. This is what finals are made of. With extra time looming both sides tried, but failed, to create any more chances.
Extra Time 1st Half.
Despite being tired, both sides continued at a pace and the Ajax defence gave no quarter, however a free kick in Wardens favour, after five minutes, saw yet another great set piece shot from Jack Clowe leave Bilton 2 -1 down.
Extra Time 2nd Half.
Matty Gibbard once again had his shot slip over the Kenilworth bar , five minutes into the second period of extra time, and despite numerous forays into the Kenilworth area, no Bilton player could convert their attempts into a goal. Kenilworth twisted the knife in the last minute of play with a great shot and goal by Matt Brown, to leave a disappointed Ajax side nothing but a Runners Up medal and their pride to take home.
Ajax dominated for most of the match, had most of the possession, most attempts at goal and came away in second place. Wardens never gave up hope, fought bravely and came away with the Cup. As most dads will remember, but probably not the lads, Jimmy Greaves had a phrase that sums it all up.
‘It’s a funny old game, football ‘.
The Squad.
Alex Maguire, Joe Ravenhall, Adam Cobb, Todd Williams, Andrew Ward, Shane Cave, Josh Wookey, Josh Hughes, Matty Gibbard, Jack Babington, Ali Walker, James Lunn, George Golby.
The Manager.
Rob Ward
Congratulations to all of you for a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of football!
Thursday 23rd April 2009
Snitterfield 1 – 3 Bilton Ajax Under 13’s
The first and only midweek match saw Ajax take a long trip to Snitterfield, and , despite last Sundays cup defeat, Ajax seemed buoyant and up for it today.
After nine minutes Matty Gibbard tested the Snitterfield keeper with a shot he couldn’t hold and Jack Babington was there to sweep up and score. Then after constant Ajax attacks Matty Gibbard crossed a precise pass straight to James Lunns’ head for the second goal.
The first half finished with Ajax two up and in complete control, and it wasn’t until eleven minutes in to the second half that Snitterfield put some pressure on to gain their first corner .
Ajax, once again had numerous chances, but failed to convert them into goals, something which has hampered their final results all season, although Jack Babington made amends with Biltons’ third goal after twenty minutes.
Snitterfield scored a consolation goal with five minutes to go.
Sunday 26th April 2009
Bilton Ajax 2 – 5 Banbury Irish Under 13’s
The final match of the season obviously meant a lot more to Banbury than it did to Ajax, on a warm sunny afternoon at Alwyn Road.
The match was a tough and physical game right from the kick off, and although both teams had chances it wasn’t until the twenty sixth minute that Ajax succumbed to a Banbury attack.
Still reeling from the first goal, Bilton left their defences open just three minutes later for Irish to go two up.
The second half started off well for Bilton, with a combined move by Connor Marshall and Jack Babington resulting in a Babington goal, and two minutes later James Lunn chipped the ball over the very tall Banbury keeper to get the equaliser.
The game continued at a pace but , despite end to end stuff, only Banbury managed to score, two goals in the last quarter ,and then an own goal to really rub salt in the Ajax wound.
The referee booked a Banbury Irish player, for persistent fouling, and had to speak to another Irish player, after the game, for a verbal misdemeanour aimed at the Bilton own goal scorer.
Not the happiest and nicest way to finish the year, but all in all a season of hard work and great improvement.
Next stop the Admirals six a side. See you all there.
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