Bilton Ajax U15’s 0 – 9 Banbury Irish

Sunday September 12th 2010

An inauspicious start to the season, with an under strength squad lacking match fitness and commitment from absent players.

After only one minute, a Banbury attack of a simple cross and header showed up a totally inadequate defence, but Ajax, against all odds, managed to keep the score to one-nil for the next thirty minutes.

The turning point then came for Ajax when new signing Tom Milne left the pitch with a broken wrist.

With no Ajax substitutes, Banbury Irish turned it into a turkey shoot, going in at half time three nil up, and scoring six more in the second half, two of which appeared to be offside.

A disheartening afternoon for spectators, players, but especially Tom Milne whom we wish a speedy recovery.

Wellesbourne Wanderers 3 – 2 Bilton Ajax U15’s

Sunday 19th September 2010

A better team performance this week, from an even more injury hit squad than last
week, with James Lunn out for six weeks with a broken collar bone.
Wellesbourne took an early lead with a great long range shot that left the keeper with no chance of saving, but after sustained pressure Ajax equalised after twenty minutes with a shot from Ben Kimberley.
Thirteen minutes into the second half saw Bilton take the lead after a powerful free kick taken three times by Nick O'Connor, left the Wellesbourne keeper rooted to the spot.
Ajax had numerous chances in the last twenty minutes to secure an easy win, but failed in front of goal, while Wellesbourne took their chances to first equalise and then run out winners after a dubious handball free kick just outside the Bilton goal.

Central Ajax 1 – 8 Bilton Ajax

Sunday 26th September 2010

A great team performance today from only ten players against a Central team of only nine.
At last Gibbard found the goal after just five minutes with a great individual effort and shot, and three minutes later a pinpoint corner from Marshall was easily headed in by Kimberley.
Ten minutes in Marshall got on the score sheet, and then Gibbard scored his second with a great turn and left footed shot to leave the keeper no chance.
O'Connor made it five nil with a cheeky lob shot from just over the half way line, and three goals in the second half from Gibbard, Marshall and Kimberley finished the match off with just a single consolation goal reply from Central.
Korcz should get a mention for his persistent tackling and passing which resulted in four of the goals, and Central for not giving up when down to just eight men, also for Nigel, for only playing nine Bilton players in the second half to even the teams slightly.
A well needed confidence boosting performance for both players and supporters alike!

Lawford United 2- 7 Bilton Ajax

Sunday 10th October 2010

For the first time this season Ajax started with a full team and two reserves and came away with three well deserved points.

Ajax took control from the first whistle and never looked in difficulty.

Kimberley was first on the score sheet after just five minutes with a simple tap in, and Mistry, with a great run up the right wing, saw his penetrating cross find the Lawford keeper out of position just two minutes later.

Gibbard scored his first of two goals on the twelfth minute, with an easy left footer, and deservedly his second ten minutes later with a low powerful shot into the bottom corner, he was unlucky on numerous occasions after ripping through the Lawford defence with his stunning turn of speed.

Coyle was rewarded with a well taken header from a Marshall corner ten minutes from the break, and Lawford, still undaunted by the score sheet, were rewarded with a  goal just on the halftime whistle.

A change of the Lawford keeper at half time saw an improvement in their performance and despite numerous attacks, Bilton could only score twice more, a second for Kimberly and a tap in header for Marshall. Lawford replied with a second goal. A good clean game played in a sporting manner by both teams and refereed in a very professional way. And the sun shone!

Bilton Ajax 2 - 6 Kenilworth Town

Sunday 17th October 2010

A frustrating time for both players and spectators alike as Kenilworth rampaged through the Ajax defence time and time again.

Kenilworth were three nil up after twenty minutes as Bilton failed to co-ordinate their tackling and passing. Bilton’s first serious attack on the Kenilworth goal led to a well taken Gibbard goal and four minutes from half time a Beresford chip brought Ajax back into contention.

 A potential Bilton attack up the right wing  was thwarted by a linesman’s wrong decision while taking a call on his mobile phone, and spectators grew even more vociferous after keeper Maguire was put down, by a Kenilworth forward, after catching and holding on to the ball.

A great goal line punch/save from O’Connor resulted in his sending off and a penalty to the opposition- the second of the match, left Kenilworth four  two up with twenty five minutes left. Ajax were outclassed and outplayed for the rest of the game and Kenilworth rubbed salt into the wound with another two goals in the last three minutes.

Warwick Juniors 6- 2 Bilton Ajax U15’s

Sunday 14th November 2010

Ajax made the trip to Warwick and returned empty handed after a less than satisfactory performance.

Both teams and spectators observed the Remembrance Sunday two minutes silence before the game, unfortunately Ajax continued this silence throughout the match with a distinct lack of communication or encouragement.

An opening goal from Warwick after twelve minutes was the result of poor marking in the area, giving the Warwick forwards a second bite of the cherry, but against the run of play Biltons’ one man scoring machine, Gibbard, scored his first great individual goal of the match.

Indecisive defending in the Ajax area led to an own goal by Britain, but just before the half hour Gibbard scored his second goal by taking on the defence single handed again.

Warwick then took the lead into halftime with an easy tap in, once again caused by half-hearted tackling.

The second half brought out an Ajax team that looked more eager to improve, and they managed to keep Warwick at bay for the first twenty five minutes. But a long range lob shot over the Bilton keepers head saw Warwick take a 4-2 lead then they scored twice more in a matter of minutes to run out winners at 6–2.

A disappointing afternoon, not helped  by  the absence of some members, both at training and matches, resulting in the team  not playing to their full potential.

Bilton Ajax 7 - 0 Lawford United

Sunday 23rd January 2011

Bilton started today’s game with a full complement of players, and what a difference it made. Every member played their part in what turned out to be a pretty one sided affair, however credit must be paid to Lawford who never gave up, despite the score line.

Within twenty minutes Ajax were two nil up, both courtesy of Ben Kimberley, and an unfortunate line clearance led to a Lawford own goal after twenty five minutes.

Tom Milne was the right man , in the right place, to tap in  Ajax’s fourth, and a penalty area foul on Matty Gibbard led to a well taken spot kick by Nick O’Connor giving a five nil half time score.

Jack Britain opened the second half with a cheeky chip over the keeper, and twenty minutes later another great Ryan Wareham corner led to a well deserved goal for Kyle O’Farrell.

All in all a great team performance, let’s hope it continues away to Alcester next week.

Bilton Ajax 1 – 2 Wellesbourne Wanderers

Sunday 27th February 2011

An unpleasant afternoon on all counts today, the pitch was barely playable due to heavy rain and thick mud, the weather was cold and wet, the result not the one we needed and a yellow and a red card not the sort of thing that makes enjoyable viewing on a Sunday afternoon.

Wellesbourne went into a one  nil lead after twelve minutes, mainly due to the muddy conditions leaving the Ajax defence unable to quickly turn and tackle. But the equaliser came just two minutes later following a great through ball from Matty Gibbard to Lea Abraham who calmly slotted past the keeper.

Bilton had the chance to take the lead from a penalty kick on twenty one minutes, but Nick O’Connor shot the ball  straight to the keeper.

A Wellesbourne midfielder was yellow carded for dissent just before half time, and early in the second half the Wanderers striker was straight red carded after a disgraceful toe to toe confrontation with the referee, something which should not be seen or tolerated by any club at whatever level of football.

Despite being down to ten men, Wellesbourne still attacked at every opportunity, and were rewarded with the winner just before the final whistle.

Ajax created numerous chances in front of goal but, once again, couldn’t finish them off.

Recognition must be paid to Kyle O’Farrell who put maximum effort into his game despite the atrocious conditions.

Alcester Town 7 – 1 Bilton Ajax

Sunday 30th January 2011

The score line doesn’t do justice to Ajax’s performance on a cold but sunny afternoon at Alcester. In fact the only thing to let down this rejuvenated side was the managers’ car.

Bilton played some of their best football of the season against an Alcester team that perform to a continuously high standard, and were holding their own for the first thirty eight minutes. In fact Ajax looked marginally superior, however a lucky shot from the left wing found the Bilton net just before half time to take Alcester into a one nil lead.

New signing Lee Abraham looked menacing up front, and Nick O’Connor at the back and Alex Maguire in goal held the numerous attacks at bay for thirty minutes of the second half, but Alcester used their wingers and the offside law to perfection and caught out the Bilton defence time and time again. Inevitably that eventually took its toll and Alcester scored twice again quickly. Lee Abraham was justly rewarded for his efforts, with a twenty five yarder volley, but Alcester proved to be the fitter team finally running out winners by scoring three more and an unfortunate Bilton own goal adding to the misery. However an encouraging performance by all concerned.

Banbury Irish 2 – 3 Bilton Ajax

Sunday 6th March 2011

Ajax thoroughly deserved this win against a strong physical Banbury team, and all three Ajax goals came from an in form Matty Gibbard. However all  Ajax players  deserve a mention for a skilful , controlled game, where everybody played for each other, and encouraged each other right from the outset.

Banbury took control for the first ten minutes, and the constant attacks paid off with a lob shot over a stranded keeper. Ajax on virtually their first decent foray into the Irish defence found Gibbard cut in from the left, after a great pass from Nick O’Connor, and easily shoot to the side of the keeper.

The game carried on with both sides having chances, but some slack marking let through the Irish forwards to take the lead on the twenty fourth minute.

Straight from the kick off, for the second half, a perfect pass from Lee Abraham   let Gibbard through for a precision chip shot over an oncoming Irish keeper, and his second goal. The game continued at a pace, with some great football being played by Ajax, to the frustration of the Banbury team, and Ajax found the winner on the twenty fifth minute with Gibbard getting his well deserved hatrick.

Ajax do have the ability to beat the top teams, and after this performance let’s hope they have now found the belief in themselves. And finally if Lee can manage to remember his boots next week, he may get on the score sheet!

Bilton Ajax 2 – 3 Alcester Town

Sunday 13th March 2011

Once again Bilton put on a superb display of football, and were unlucky to come away without points.

From the kick off Ajax looked the better team, however Alcester were quite clinical in front of goal and were two nil up after twenty minutes. Ajax had numerous chances, but couldn't find the net and to make matters worse Alcester scored a third straight after the second half kick-off. Bilton battled on, and Matty Gibbard scored after a terrific goal mouth scramble that saw Ajax hit the bar twice in as many seconds. Continued pressure resulted in a great Nick O'Connor goal from outside the box and Ajax battled on to the end, with Alcester managing to absorb all of Biltons attacks without loss. Once again a great team performance, lets’ hope it continues.

Warwick Juniors 4 - 2 Bilton Ajax

Sunday 20th March 2011

Bilton travelled to Warwick and, despite the final score, played well for most of the match.Ajax failed in the first twenty minutes to get the defence into gear and as a result of poor marking let Warwick take a two nil lead, but a one man run from Kyle O'Farrel clawed one back before the half time whistle. The second half started with Bilton going for the equaliser, however Warwick once again played the long ball through to catch out the Ajax defence to take a three one lead. Constant pressure from the Bilton forwards led to a Lee Abraham goal after twenty minutes, and despite vociferous support from the sidelines, Warwick scored a fourth to finish off Ajax's hopes.

MOTM - Kyle  O’Farrell

Norton Lindsey 2 - 2 Bilton Ajax

Sunday 27th March 2011

A great performance today, and a well deserved point from a team that showed commitment and passion for the full eighty minutes. Ajax had numerous chances in front of Nortons' goal and hit the woodwork frequently, the goalie also pulling off some great saves, but once again two breaks by the opposition led to Ajax going two nil down by half time. Bilton had most of the play in the second half and were finally rewarded with a well taken goal by Lee Abraham following a great run through by Matty Gibbard. Ajax absorbed constant pressure from Norton and their long throw expert, and finally ,ten minutes from the end a Nick O'Connor free kick saw a great equaliser from Ryan Wareham. A marvellous performance on the pitch by all the lads,not so good off the pitch by some supporters.

MOTM - Whole Team

Reporter Chris Maguire