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Under 16s Park

Manager: Graham Ayton / Emma Cole

Contact: graham.ayton22@gmail.com / thecoles1234@btinternet.com

Contact 07747 031231

We have a fantastic group of enthusiastic youngsters who clearly enjoy each others' company, and are supported by an equally enthusiastic and friendly parent group. Our primary aim is to enjoy ourselves both in training and in matches, and we also take pride in playing with sportsmanship and respect. We are always looking to develop all of our players' technical skills and tactical awareness, but we do so in a relaxed environment where love of the game always comes first.

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Jan 11, 2020

Ashridge Aced

Ashridge Park 0 Arborfield Aces 6

Star Player: Alex Ayton

Apologies for a shorter than usual report this week, due primarily to a shortage of time, though it must also be said that I cant imagine we will want to look back on this game all that frequently! Arborfield are a new team, only joining the league this season, and dropping down a division after Christmas having found Division 4 a little challenging (their only points bizarrely coming from a 6-4 win over the joint leaders). Ashridge came into the game with decent availability, with only Marcus missing from the working squad of 14.

Ashridge appeared to have marginally the upper hand in the opening few minutes, with Jamie looking in control in the central areas, and threats developing down either flank where Alex and Harry were managing to link up with the forward line of Jack G and Antonio. After initially looking to play the long ball over the top, Arborfield began to get more control in the centre of the pitch, where ultimately the proved to have the two best players on the pitch, and Ashridge started to play into their hands with too many missed clearances and misplaced passes. After Jack had a couple of efforts - one header from a corner straight at the keeper, and another shot poked wide - the decisive moment of the half came exactly at the mid-point as Arborfield worked the ball nicely from the right along the edge of the Ashridge box, and a little lay off opened the way for a powerfully-struck effort high into the centre of the net. Antonio drew a tip-over from the Arborfield keeper, whilst the visitors had several other shots either straight at Joe (and comfortably claimed) or dragged off-target. 1-0 at the break.

Not much change in the pattern of play in the second half; Ashridge with sporadic assaults on the opposition goal, but not much end product; long-range efforts from Jack, Jamie and Harry but not hit with any great venom and either clearing bar or post, or being comfortably dealt with by the keeper. Arborfield continued to carry the greater threat, but the Ashridge defence stood firm until (once again) at the mid-point of the half, Arborfield struck with a good goal - in fact this one may be the best we've witnessed this season as the midfielder picked up the ball with his back to goal some 25 yards out to the left of centre, and swivelled and struck a sweet shot just inside the far post. With Ashridge struggling for goals this season, there was a feeling that this goal was decisive, and some of the energy and discipline went out of the home team's play - the midfield getting increasingly out of shape with some stranded up-field, whilst the back four also got pulled out of line whilst attempting to compensate. A third arrived on 67 minutes as a forward held off three challenges on the right of the box before crossing to allow the midfielder to fire into the net from close range to complete his hat-trick. Antonio blazed high and wide having been put through by a great pass from Jamie, whilst another effort from Jamie was punched (slightly unnecessarily) over the bar by the keeper. In the last five minutes, Arborfield cut through at will on either flank and scored three very similar tap-in goals to really put Ashridge to the sword.

Not a game to dwell on for the home side, and particularly disappointing after two disciplined performances resulting in clean sheets. Star player award went to Alex who really didn't do too much wrong today either on the left of midfield in the first half where he linked well with the forward line and provided some great cover in front of the defence, or at right back in the second, where again he made numerous interceptions, and continued to try everything to resist right to the final whistle.

Oct 05, 2019

Ashridge March On After Strong Finish

Ashridge Park 4 Caversham AFC Stallions 1

Ashridge Scorers: Jack Clayton (59'), Antonio Baciu (68', pen), Harry Evans (75'), Joe Savory (80', pen)
Star Player: Jamie Cole

Another home game as we started our cup campaign for the season. We were finally able to field a full-ish squad as Marcus and Will made their first appearances of the season, whilst Jack C returned after illness; only Tim and long-term absentee Dan missing this week. Our opponents, Caversham AFC Stallions, had transferred over to the EBFA from the Oxfordshire League this season, and have made a decent start in the division below us, with two wins from their opening three games.

Ashridge quickly took control of proceedings, with Jack G stamping his authority on central midfield, with Will alongside him showing a calm authority which we had missed in our first two fixtures; whilst the back four of James, James, Marcus and Alex rapidly mopped up any forward movements from Caversham. Creative quality was missing, however, with too many loose passes, and Antonio tending to drop a little deep from the striker role, leaving Jack C isolated against a four-man back line. There were few scoring opportunities at either end in the opening quarter of the game, and it was only when Ashridge began to ring the changes that excitement levels began to pick up, With Jamie, Felix and Harry introduced to the midfield, Ashridge began to press forward with intent, and chances began to flow. Jack G was first to register a serious effort after good work from Felix on the left, but his shot from the edge of the box was not cleanly hit allowing the keeper to gather comfortably. Ashridge won a series of corners on the left and Felix's delivery caused huge problems in the visitors' defence: one was headed back across goal by Jack C but didn't fall to a blue shirt; then Bertie got a good head to another, only to have it deflected behind again. From the third, the ball fell to Antonio centrally, just outside the six-yard box, and his shot crashed back off the crossbar before falling to safety. As the half drew to a close, James Riley launched a free-kick from 25 yards on the left, the ball swerving towards the top-corner, where the keeper did well to pluck the ball out of the air. Goalless at half-time, and greater quality needed.

With the rare privilege of having extra players available, Ashridge made a few changes at the start of the second half, to give some of the back line a chance to influence things further forward. Initially James Riley was pushed into midfield alongside Jamie, with Jack G taking a rest; Will dropped into the right back role to cover. Caversham rallied initially and enjoyed a rare spell of pressure, but Marcus was a reassuring presence, dealing with threat confidently; and both Will and Alex impressed in the full back areas with some composed defending and good use of the ball out of defence. Ashridge seemed to be reasserting themselves, with Jamie starting to make some dynamic runs, and Harry and Jack C threatening to get in behind the Caversham defence, but the finish was still missing, with Harry poking the best two opportunities wide of goal. Then on 52 minutes disaster struck; a Caversham break saw a player break free on the right of the box, and a rash challenge from James Riley trying to track back from midfield saw the player brought to ground and a penalty rightly awarded. Comfortably dispatched to the right of Joe, and an unlikely 1-0 advantage to the visitors.

Ashridge pressed forward, getting more and more on top of the game. Whilst it seemed like an age in coming, the leveller in fact only took seven minutes. Jamie was beginning to run the game, and it was he who started a dynamic Ashridge move, with a sweeping pass from the centre to find Bertie in space on the left; Bertie found a quick incisive pass forward to Jack on the left of the box; Jack's first touch took him past the keeper, and from a narrow angle and on his wrong foot, he found an excellent finish to steer the ball home just ahead of the retreating defender. Energy levels went up, and with Antonio, Felix and Jack G all rejoining the game, and Marcus stepping up into midfield in place of James Riley, it seemed only a matter of time before Ashridge struck again. In fact, it was Caversham who nearly re-took the lead on 65 minutes as a ball through the centre was slightly misjudged by James Roberts, and the Caversham forward latched onto it, slotting the ball to Joe's right, but also just to the right of the goal. Ashridge responded quickly, and it was Jamie again who unlocked the visitors defence with a surging run through the centre, skilfully evading two challenges and racing past the back line before being brought crashing down as he was about to strike on goal - a clear penalty. Dispatched high and centrally by Antonio for 2-1. Ashridge completely in command now, and a third followed five minutes from time as Jamie again tricked his way past the covering midfield on the right of the box before squaring into the path of Harry and Antonio; the former dispatching past the keeper. Ashridge kept the ball in the Caversham half for the final minutes, and Antonio tricked his way past a defender on the right side of the box before again being up-ended. With the referee confirming time was up, and after an abortive attempt at a "clever" penalty where Antonio tucked it to his left for Felix to run on to (re-taken because of encroachment by Caversham), Joe stepped forward to slot home to the left of the keeper to make the final score 4-1.

A deserved win as Ashridge always had the upper hand in territory and threat, though it took a while for the team to find the scoring touch and make the possession count. Very good to have Marcus and Will back today, both are good readers of the game and have a good touch that allows them to play with a calmness that the team really needs. Good also to get some more players on the scoresheet, which will hopefully give us more belief in the coming games. Felix continues to impress with his energy, whilst Jack G and Antonio were both influential today. Particular mention again for Alex, who had another excellent game deputising in the back four, this time on the left - he reads the game well, covering when others get out of position, and he is increasing in confidence in his clearances, using the ball well when the opportunity arises. Star player became an easy call in the final 20 minutes, as Jamie stepped up to really make the difference in the game: two assists for our second and third goals, whilst his exceptional cross-field pass to Bertie opened up the space and set the tempo that led to our equaliser. Another fantastic performance from a player who is really beginning to fulfil his potential this season.

Nov 02, 2019

Camberley Hold On

Camberley Town Youth Renegades 2 Ashridge Park 1

Ashridge Scorer: Jack Clayton (63')
Star Player: James Riley

With all home games already cancelled due to the weather, it was with some trepidation that we headed over to Frimley Green to face Camberley Town for the first time since U10 level. Indeed, conditions were unpleasant, with fairly constant rain and the strong winds gusting straight down the pitch, meaning that one team was likely to be at a disadvantage. The pitch, though tacky and uneven in places, was holding up fairly well, however, meaning that there was no issue with the game going ahead. Like Ashridge, Camberley had only picked up one point to date, though all of their games had been reasonably competitive judging by the scorelines. Both teams were struggling for availability due to half term, with no substitutes on display - Will, Dillon and James Roberts missing for Ashridge as well as our two longer-term injury cases, Dan and Bertie. Ashridge switched to a new formation for this game - 4-2-3-1 - with Jack C as the lone striker supported by Felix, Harry and Antonio.

It was Ashridge who drew the short straw and found themselves playing into the wind in the first half. Nonetheless they made a reasonably bright start, with Jack G asserting himself in the holding midfield role, and Felix looking bright on the left. Felix won a free kick on the apex of the box, and Jack C's delivery into the centre of the box was headed just wide of the far post by Jack G. Camberley soon began to prosper, however, showing good pace down the right flank, which required James to provide some reinforcements to Tim to avert the danger. Alex, too was called into the action on the right of the Ashridge defence, clearing into touch to keep the marauding forwards at bay, whilst Joe was often in the action to gather some over-hit through balls. Camberley broke through on the ten-minute mark; benefiting from a moment of hesitation between Alex and Jamie after Ashridge appeared to have won back possession on their left; the ball was recycled to the central edge of the penalty area, from where it was drilled into the right-hand corner of the net. Ashridge could have levelled almost immediately after Antonio was impeded on the right apex of the penalty area; Jamie's floated free-kick found Antonio in space on the back post, but his side-foot volley skied well over the bar.

The remainder of the half followed a consistent and fairly scrappy pattern, with Camberley pressing forward and Ashridge battling to clear the ball. Despite the pressure, there were no clear-cut chances worthy of report as Ashridge kept a good shape and won the important battles around the edge of the box. Ashridge themselves had only one brief moment of threat as Jack G worked some space in the centre circle and slotted the ball through the centre for Jack C to run in on goal, but the ball held up on the surface and the defender was able to recover the ground and win the ball back. 1-0 at half time.

A minor switch at half time in the Ashridge line-up saw Jamie move up to the central attacking midfield role, with Harry dropping back to the holding role alongside Jack G. It was Camberley who were quicker out of the blocks however, and they almost caught Ashridge cold in the first minute of the half as they piled forward; a high ball to the right channel was taken on the bounce by the forward, and an excellent strike clipped the crossbar on its way to safety. They soon found as Ashridge had before that clearing the ball from the back was problematic in the wind, and for the first time Ashridge began to enjoy some sustained possession in the Camberley half; Ashridge in their turn began to find as Camberley had before that it was all too easy to overhit forward passes, and present the ball back to the opposition's defence. The visitors' first real glimpse of goal came when Antonio's well-delivered corner from the right was met on the half-volley by Jack G to the right of the penalty spot, the ball narrowly clearing the bar. As the wind began to subside, Camberley were able to offer more of a threat again on the counter-attack; showing good pace down the flanks, and really stretching the Ashridge defence. Just before the hour mark, they extended the lead when a jinking run from the no 7, who gave Alex a fairly torrid time in this part of the game, was followed by cross-come-shot from a narrow angle; Joe got hands on it, but it squirmed across to the far side and after a brief scramble was forced home from close range.

Ashridge took a few moments to re-gather, but with James Riley increasingly prominent, stepping out of defence and finding some searching passes into the Ashridge front men, they gradually began to assert themselves again. On 63 minutes, the visitors were back in it, the move developing down the left where Felix worked some space and delivered the ball into the box; Jamie helped it on its way to find Harry arriving in space on the right; Harry's shot was parried, but the clearance charged down by Jack C, the ball flying hight into the net from close range. With Ashridge taking more risks to try to get level, Camberley continued to exploit the spaces, and came close to another when the no 7 got the better of both Alex and Marcus, but his shot struck the outside of the near post and went behind. With time slipping away, Ashridge nearly worked an equaliser, Harry picking up possession just outside the right edge of the box, jinking inside, and then slipping a pass back into the right channel to find Jack C; the pass was just slightly overhit, forcing Jack wide, but he took it on and fizzed the ball across goal, just beating Antonio's slide at the back post before going out for a goal kick. That was to be the last action of note as time ran out, and another narrow defeat for the Ashridge boys.

No complaints about the result as overall Camberley played the better football and created more and better chances. No shortage of effort from Ashridge, and the defensive side of the game was sound; going forward we need to move the ball a little earlier and with greater accuracy, as well as have the confidence and instinct to make the right runs off the ball. Mentions today for Jack C, who was doing all of the right things as the lone striker, staying on the shoulder of the last defender and seeking to make runs into channels, and he continues his record of scoring in every game he's been able to play this season; also for Jack G who worked his socks off in the holding midfield role; and Tim who was rarely bested in an interesting contest on the left side of the Ashridge defence. James Riley gets the nod for star player this week: as well as his usual defensive contribution, winning his own battles and covering across to help others when needed, he was increasingly prominent in stepping up into midfield and prompting Ashridge forward, particularly at the stage of the game when there was a danger of heads going down. Hopefully we will be able to field a fuller squad in up-coming matches so we can use both him and Marcus in more attacking roles from time to time.

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