Under 9’s A Final Table

Under 9’s C Final Table.

West Haddon Superstars 0 - 7 Bilton Ajax

After a very equal opening few minutes the young Ajax side took the lead when Jame Andrews placed a powerful drive into the bottom left hand corner. After the restart West Haddon took the game to the Ajax side but good defending by Captain Jake Love and Nathaniel Scott along with solid and confident goalkeeping by Oliver Ellard kept them at bay. Then following a quick break and some good passing between Dylan Smith and Mitchell Gurney allowed James to score a second from close range. Then quickly afterwards subs Josh Hewson played a clever ball into Ethan Cox who clipped in his first and Ajax’s third. Shortly after the restart Ethan made the most of a defensive mix up to slam in the loose ball to make it 4-0 at halftime.

In the second half a clever pass from Jack Devine released Ethan again and his cross was turned in by James for his hat-trick. Then more strong running by Ethan gave him the chance to score his hat-trick which he took with a curling drive. Just before the end captain Jake smashed home a long range drive to make the final score 7 – 0. Massive congratulations to all the players and goalkeeper Oliver Ellard for his unbeaten display which saw him named Man of the Match.s

Parklands Tigers Black 3 - 7 Bilton Ajax

Ajax looked to continue their strong start from last week and quickly scored thanks to a fierce drive from Ethan Cox and created more chances with Captain Josh Hewson, Jack Devine and Dylan Smith testing the opposition keeper. Nearing the end of the first half Parklands got more into the game and goalie Oliver Ellard made some fine saves, while strong tackling from Jake Love and Nathanial Scott, before a shot came through the crowd and made the halftime score 1-1.

As the second half started Ajax stamped themselves on the game with quick goals from Ethan, Mitchell Gurney and Dylan Smith.

Parklands then pressed Ajax but some slid defending by Alex Hancock and Jack Marshall kept them out but soon scored after a goalmouth scramble. Ethan Cox then scored straight from the kick-off after a good run and shot found the top corner. Soon after clever passing from Ajax's midfield saw Dylan Smith power a low shot into the bottom corner and soon after James Andrews tapped the ball in after Parklands keeper made several good stops. There was still time for Parklands to grab a deserved goal with a clever long range lob. But another great display from the young Ajax side. And a well-deserved Man of the Match for the impressive Nathanial Scott

Bilton Ajax 0 - 4 Wooldale Blue

In a testing cup game where the final score was a tiny bit flattering for the opposition. Ajax had their fair share of possession with midfielders Dylan Smith, Josh Hewson, and Ethan Cox all making clever runs and probing passes. Striker James Andrews ran the frontline well and defenders Jake Love and Jack Marshall put in massive effort but Wooldale grabbed 2 good goals despite the best efforts of keeper Oliver Ellard. In the second half Ajax tested the keeper with strikes from Ethan and Mitchell Gurney, but keeper Alex Hancock was unlucky after a shot rebounded into the goal off him after he pushed it onto the post. Jack Devine made some great passes and tackled well in the midfield. Oliver Ellard made some good tackles but Wooldale grabbed another just before the end. A great effort for the team and lessons to be learnt for the coach.

Bilton Ajax 11 - 1 Parklands Tigers

Ajax dominated from the off and soon had a 2-0 lead from James Andrews converting 2 Mitchell Gurney crosses, some solid defending by both Jack's Marshall & Devine saw Ethan Cox charge through and slide the ball into the corner of the net. Again Mitchell broke down the left and his cross shot found the top corner, then another run and cross from Mitchell found James who smashed home his hat trick. Then Josh Hewson added his name to the score sheet as he scored a penalty after Alex Hancock was brought down.

In the second half Dylan Smith scored following a good pass from Jack Devine. Soon after a run and shot from Nathanial Scott was deflected behind for a corner and as Alex rolled the ball back Jake Love hammered the ball into the top corner. Josh then added another after clever work between himself and Oliver Ellard. Ethan then added another with a cute finish. Dylan Smith then finished off an elegant passing move with a cool finish into the bottom corner. Parklands then pressed Ajax and some solid defending by Alex, Jake, Oliver and Goalie James kept them out but just before the end Parklands got the goal their play deserved. A big thanks to sponsor Revolution Recruitment for their supplying the new kit for the next few seasons.

Heyford Rockets 1 - 5 Bilton Ajax

In their first competitive game in a month Ajax took the game quickly to their opponents. Ethan Cox and debutant Gregory Miliopoulos quickly made the score 2-0. A superb pass from Mitchell Gurney released Dylan Smith who confidently converted to put Ajax 3-0 up. The Ajax back line comprising of Jack Devine, skipper Jack Marshall and the superb Alex Hancock were beaten by a determined run from a Heyford attacker whose powerful shot crept under keeper Olly Ellard. In the second half Jake Love combined with James Andrews and Josh Hewson to release Dylan again and he beat the keeper with a powerful low drive. Ethan converted the final goal after a quick breakaway.

Bilton Ajax 0 - 1 Daventry Town Vikings

After a well observed minutes silence the referee started a thrilling yet ultimately frustrating game saw Ajax create chances but never test the keeper. In defence again Alex Hancock shone with a motm winning display. Jake Love and Ethan Cox made lots of runs but to no avail. Late in the game a long ball caught the Ajax defence flat and while keeper Olly Ellard got a hand to the shot it trickled over the goal line to give Daventry the points. A superb game played in great spirit.

Delapre Dragons Dazzlers 0 - 2 Bilton Ajax

Ajax bounced back to form with a determined display. From the off Josh Hewson and the influential Jack Devine probed with clever runs and quick passes. Dylan Smith released Ethan Cox and he lashed a fierce drive into the roof of the net. Alex Hancock and Jack Marshall contained any threats from Delapre. Mitchell Gurney's clever hold up play released Jake Love and his pass found Olly Ellard whose determined run saw Gregory Miliopoulos drive the ball just wide of the Delapre goal. James Andrews coped with everything thrown at him. Ethan converted from close range following Jake's clever pass.

Bilton Ajax 2 - 1 Delapre Dragons Diamonds

A cliché I know but this was a game of 2 halves. In the first half Delapre proved why they were top of the league with slick passing and powerful attacking play. Keeper James Andrews commanded his defence of Alex Hancock and Captain Oliver Ellard. Jake Love had a superb game in the centre of midfield with non-stop running and tackling. Delapre took the lead when Ajax failed to clear from a corner and then did not press the loose ball at the edge of the box a low drive beat James.

In the second half Ajax showed some form with Gregory Miliopoulos and Jack Marshall starting to dominate in midfield as Mitchell Gurney provided some clever crosses from some accurate passes from the influential Jack Devine. Dylan Smith ran hard and caused the Delapre defence problems leading to several corners but to no avail. Another long ball down the line from Oliver Ellard found Josh Hewson whose run was stopped at the cost of another corner. This time Ethan’s cross was diverted into the net by Josh with assistance from Gregory. With only 4 minutes to go Man of the Match Jake and Oliver both made good tackles to win the ball and Ajax attacked hard searching for the winner. In the last minute Josh won the ball in midfield and released Ethan who beat two men and to the delight of the crowd smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. With barely seconds left the Ajax defence withstood a barrage from the opposition with keeper James making a superb save and Oliver running the ball clear and smashing it out of play as the referee blew the final whistle. The result saw the under 9’s clinch the league in their debut campaign. A fantastic effort by all the players and massive credit to them not giving in. Thanks to all the parents and players and Dave Merritt, Steve Russell, Nick O’Connor and Ian Weaving for all their superb assistance during this time and of course thanks to Coach Jamie Tisor for a job well done, the team has really benefited from his coaching and support in the first half of the season.

Gregory Celtic 10 - 3 Bilton Ajax

In their first match of the new year Ajax were beaten by a disciplined and skillful Gregory Celtic side who quickly raced into a 3 goal lead. Mitchell Gurney pulled one back with a crisp finish. Ajax could not keep the ball and were punished with the unlucky Oliver Ellard beaten several more times before half time. In the second half Ajax took the game to their opposition and Ethan Cox smashed in 2 goals quickly. But the final score was a slightly unfair 10-3.

Bilton Ajax 1 - 2 Brixworth Panthers

In a tight match Ajax proved lessons learned from the previous week. keeper James Andrews commanded his area well, whilst Jack Marshall and Jack Devine defended well. Jake Love and captain Mitchell Gurney worked hard in midfield. In the second half Ajax showed grit with some backs to wall defending. Brixworth took the lead with a crisp shot from the edge of the box. Straight from the kickoff Ajax surged downfield and Oliver Ellard passed the ball into Dylan Smith who's shot sneaked under the keeper to make it 1-1. Late on Brixworth grabbed a deserved winner.

Bilton Ajax 1 - 2 Heyford

In a fairly even first half Ajax were slightly shaded by their opponents with keeper James the more active as Ajax failed to hit the target. One bright spot though was the return from injury of Nathaniel Scott whose clever run opened a chance for Jake who missed the target.

Half Time 0-0

In the second half Bilton were growing stronger and Ethan lashed a shot wide following a good run. Heyford won a throw in, from the resulting confusion from a long throw Bilton gave away a penalty for handball. Heyford's striker hammered the resulting spot kick into the top corner. The hard-working midfield created chances with good runs but several times the ball was not moved to the player in space and the chance was lost. Ethan made a good run down the right and smashed a powerful shot into the top corner. Whilst Ajax pressed for a winner they were caught flat and despite the efforts of Greg, skipper Jack and James Heyford scrambled in the winner. A great effort by all the players but man of the match was Jake Love.

Bugbrooke Yellow 5 - 1 Bilton Ajax

In the opening 10 minutes Ajax were simply awful. Not keeping the ball or marking saw them quickly go 3-0 down. After making 4 changes they got back into the game and forced corners but didn't take any chances they created. In the second half Bilton forced a succession of corners but again failed to take chances. Ethan scored from long range, but Ajax were twice caught on the break and conceded 2 more. On the whole a fair result and a huge improvement from all the players is expected.

Hackleton Harriers 4 - 0 Bilton Ajax

With players falling sick over night the young Ajax side turned up undermanned but were simply fantastic. James in goal was in inspired form, whilst Ethan, Mitchell, Jack and Oliver worked themselves into the ground. A goal down at halftime they showed they were playing for pride and left the field with a huge amount of pride being placed in them by both parents and coaches. They tired towards the end and conceded 3 more. Personally I am more proud of them today for fight and desire showed than the day in December when they clinched the league title.

Bilton Ajax 1 - 1 Crick

In a thrilling encounter Ajax coped with the Crick attacks sometimes with ease and others with backs to the wall defending. With keeper James Andrews commanding his defence of Jack Devine and Natty Scott, the midfield of Mitchell Gurney, Jake Love and the energetic terrier like Gregory Miliopoulos. A clever pass from Jake released captain Dylan Smith who cooly lobbed the keeper to give Ajax the lead. In the second half Bilton were still forced back on occasion but also broke with purpose with top scorer Ethan Cox going close on several occasions. Dylan again tested the keeper whilst Greg made a nuisance of himself by pestering the opposition players. In the last few seconds the impressive Crick no 14 broke though and cooly slotted the ball past James. A bit gutting but on the whole a thoroughly deserved point and a truly fantastic game which both sets of parents enjoyed.

Woodford United Blue 3 - 0 Bilton Ajax

After a drawing last week the U9's got off to a flying start against a strong Woodford team with Jack Devine and Nathaniel Scott putting in a strong opening 5 minutes despite heavy pressure. The high tempo and constant pressure by Woodford led to Bilton conceding the first goal from an unlucky deflection off Jake Love (although even Jake admits it was a cracking shot, just at the wrong end!). Not letting their heads drop some great combination plays between Ethan Cox, Dylan Smith and constant chasing by Gregory Miliopoulis almost lead to an equaliser from the restart but the Woodford defence proved too tight.

Half time saw Bilton trailing by 2 but this didn't stop them pressuring from the off in the second half. Strong performances from Mitchell Gurney, Josh Hewson, Oliver Ellard and Alex Hancock (who came on as subs in the second half) and an outstanding performance in goal by James Andrews meant Woodford were only able to add one more to their tally.

Overall a great game with plenty of chances for both sides with the end score not giving a fair impression of how close the game was in reality.

Bugbrooke Blue 5 - 1 Bilton Ajax

On a miserable morning against the hopeful champions Bilton arrived having only 1 point which is a bit harsh as some of their displays have warranted points. But the opposition moved the ball well and took the lead after some good play, soon after the unfortunate Mitchell turned a cross into his own net. Bilton then won the ball and pressed the opposition. Captain Oliver worked the ball in a 1-2 with Dylan and Mitchell smashed a shot into the corner. In the second half Ajax worked hard but Bugbrooke scored three good goals. A great effort by all the players during a difficult campaign. THANKS TO YOU ALL! On a separate note Get Well Soon to the injured James Andrews and Best wishes and thoughts to Matt Hughes and family.