Ocelots U10s celebrated their first taste of success this weekend and became the second under 10s side to win some silverware.

Their ever present determined teamwork added to by clinical finishing meant they were victorious against an experienced, strong and creative Dussindale side.

Dom scored twice and Gilby added a third to give the Ocelots a fairytale end to a season of real team progress.

The Jubilant Ocelots

Our under 10 ‘Jaguars’ team claimed their first trophy this afternoon with a 3-0 win against Holt.

The game which was at Open Academy in Norwich was played in windy conditions and nerves were clear to see from both teams.

Those Aylsham nerves were settled mid-way through the first half when Oliver headed in a corner to make it 1-0. This was followed soon after when Ajay ran through to make it 2-0. Right on the stroke of half time Frederick slotted home a rebound off the keeper much to the delight of the coaching team and parents watching on.

It was a shame that many more couldn’t enjoy the match due to the current Covid-19 restrictions but the players will certainly remember it for a long time.

The team celebrate with their coaches

Oliver – scorer of first goal

Talented Aylsham footballer Ben Bates has just signed for the Norwich City FC Academy.

From next season eight-year-old Ben will be training twice a week after school with the academy’s under-nines’ squad.

And he’ll be playing a fixture every Sunday which will involve travelling to top clubs including Liverpool and Manchester City and further afield, in Europe.

Ben has been playing for Aylsham FC since he was five when he was spotted by a scout from now-Premier League Norwich and signed to the club’s pre-academy, an experience which has already taken him to matches against teams including Watford, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

As an academy member Ben’s no longer allowed to play for Aylsham where his dad, Gus, is chairman of youth football. But he plans to cheer on his old team mates at their Saturday games.

Ben is one of 12 young footballers from across Norfolk who have just been signed to the academy.

He follows in the boot steps of another Aylsham FC player, Aylsham High student Sam Blair who will be signing a two-year paid scholarship contract on July 1 in the hope of being offered a professional contract.

Sam has already represented the Norwich City under-23 team this season alongside the likes of Grant Hanley and Nelson Oliviera.

The academy takes the cream of the county’s young players and helps them reach their full potential, with the prospect of a career in professional football for the very best.

But Gus said assessment of the young players’ was continual and could be ruthless, and each faced the possibility that they could be thrown out at any time.

“Ben’s got his feet firmly on the ground,” he said. “Whatever happens, this will have been a great experience for him.”

WORDS: JUST REGIONAL

DOTTED LINE: Ben Bates signing for the Norwich City FC Academy, with the club’s Scott Smith

HALLOWED TURF: The week before his signing Ben (back row far right) played on Norwich’s famous Carrow Road pitch for the first time as part of Aylsham under eights’ Kappa Cup-winning team who are pictured here with former Canaries stars Russell Martin (left) and Wes Hoolahan.

Aylsham U13s Come Away With A Well Earned Draw Against EJA Opponents

Match Report 10.03.19

Aylsham FC U13 v Newmarket Town U13 EJA, Bloorie.com Stadium

Without a scheduled fixture locally, Aylsham FC U13 travelled further afield to take on Newmarket Town U13 of the Eastern Junior Alliance at their home, Bloorie.com Stadium, in a friendly this afternoon (Sunday 10th March).

On a fantastic 3G surface with the clouds breaking and the sun emerging Newmarket kicked off proceedings and immediately looked to move the ball quickly. A nice ball from the right to the central midfielder gave the hosts a sight of goal but Bailey dealt with the shot easily. Three minutes in and a long ball from Newmarket saw their striker advance to the edge of the box but again Bailey was equal to it pulling off a diving save. The home side put in a dangerous corner that Ronnie did well to block with a combination of Freddy and Jaiden completing the clearance as Aylsham found themselves under pressure.

The visitors, resplendent in their new burgundy training kit, began to settle into the game and started to pass the ball around crisply and confidently. Freddy lifted a ball over to Alfie but, under pressure from a defender, he sent his shot wide. The game was much more even after Newmarket had the majority of the chances early on but Aylsham kept possession well and looked to play through the thirds. A shot from a home player from distance was well watched and dealt with comfortably by Bailey. Jack came on for Brad in the 19th minute taking his place on the right.

In the 21st minute Bailey judged a shot from distance well to save confidently. Two minutes later, after keeping their opponents at bay, Aylsham took the lead with a slick team move. Bailey played the ball out to Denver on the left who beat his man before finding Ronnie who squared it to Jude. With no outlet available Jude kept possession by passing it back to Bailey. The keeper’s clearance, this time to the right was laid back to Ollie by Adam, the centre-back playing a neat one-two with Jack to give him space to drive forward, before picking out Mitchy in the centre of midfield. Mitchy laid it back to Jaiden who looked up to play a searching ball forward that Freddy headed on towards Alfie. Alfie showed great strength to hold off his marker before playing a ball inside the Newmarket right back and Ronnie was onto it to hold off a challenge before showing great composure, side-footing home to finish off a devastating move that involved all 11 Aylsham players.

The visitors grew in confidence after scoring the opening in goal and were playing some exceptional football. They played out from the back with Ollie and Adam combining well before passing it into Jude who found Jack in a good position. A quick ball inside to Freddy created enough time and space to arrow a lovely through-ball, and only an excellent piece of defending prevented Alfie going through on goal. After winning a 50-50 Jack was brought down as he looked to evade his marker and Adam sent in a dangerous free-kick but a good defensive header just deflected the ball away as Ronnie looked to meet it on the volley. In the 27th minute Ronnie made way for Tyler.

Newmarket got in behind the Aylsham defence after a strong run and through-ball sent the striker down the left channel but Ollie took up a great position to clear the cross with Jack and Freddy combining to set the visitors forward with a break of their own as the game opened up. Moments later Jude and Adam worked their way out of a tight situation to find Alfie, who had made himself an option, and his ball through sent Tyler scampering forward but the home keeper just managed to get to the ball first as Tyler outpaced his marker.

With four minutes left of the first half a long ball from Newmarket’s defender set their striker away who advanced and struck a powerful rising shot that Bailey did well to beat down and claimed the rebound before the striker. Soon after Bailey was called into action again, kicking out a dangerous low cross with Jaiden on hand to complete the clearance. The home side were finishing the half strongly with a long ball forward sending their striker sprinting clear and he lifted the bail over Bailey on the run but the visitors breathed a sigh of relief as the effort rebounded back off the post and into the grateful hands of the Aylsham stopper. This being the last action of an entertaining half with the visitors taking a slender 1-0 lead into the break.

Aylsham kicked off the second period and moved the ball quickly and incisively from the restart. Newmarket put a nice move together and only a vital touch from Jack in the visitor’s box prevented the home winger getting in on goal. The opening exchanges were very even with both sides playing nice football. In the 42nd minute Aylsham doubled their lead after a good tackle by Denver on the halfway line forced a home player to play the ball back. Mitchy read the intentions of the defender and intercepted his pass and accelerated clear of his marker and drew the keeper before clipping the ball into the corner of the net from the edge of the area. A minute later Mitchy went so close to adding a third from a great headed clearance by Ollie with Alfie controlling the bouncing ball well before lifting it into Mitchy’s path. Mitchy turned his marker and took a shot on the half volley that beat the keeper but unluckily rebounded back off the bar with Freddy being adjudged to be in an offside position as he looked to tuck away the rebound.

In the 44th minute Newmarket reduced the arrears with a close-range finish into the corner of the net. Two minutes later Aylsham restored their two goal cushion after Freddy controlled and turned in one movement before lifting a ball into Alfie’s path and he let it bounce once before hitting a dipping first-time volley into the net from outside the box. In the 49th minute the hosts scored their second from a direct free-kick to make it 3-2 to Aylsham. Ronnie came back into the action, giving Mitchy a breather. It was end to end stuff and Newmarket thought they’d scored an equaliser in the 52nd minute but the linesman has flagged for offside. A neat move by Aylsham started with a throw by Adam who had the ball returned to him by Denver. Adam passed it into Jude who chipped it into Jack on the right and his first-time ball inside sat up invitingly for Alfie who struck it perfectly but the keeper was equal to it, holding on well. Moments later Newmarket had a sight of goal but the ball rebounded back off the foot of the post from a low drive.

Aylsham made another change with 10 minutes to go with Brad replacing Alfie up front. Newmarket continued to prove dangerous from set-pieces and went close from a free-kick but their tall centre-back headed just wide. The home side fashioned an equaliser in the 66th minute after a cross from the right was met on the volley from close-range to make it 3-3. With three minutes left Mitchy came back on at left back for Tyler and moments later Alfie returned for Brad up front.

A long defensive clearance was headed forward by Adam where Jack flicked it inside to Freddy guiding it to Jude in space. Jude spotted Alfie’s fun and picked him out with a slide rule pass but a great block halted his progress. Jack anticipated the clearance and kept the move alive, squaring it to Alfie who moved it left to Ronnie but only a crucial last ditch sliding challenge prevented Ronnie from applying the finish. Freddy put in a deep corner that Adam bravely headed back across goal to where Denver was well positioned in the six yard box to nod the ball home to make it 4-3 to Aylsham with a minute of normal time remaining. Not to be outdone Newmarket equalised again in injury time after a neat one-two on the edge of the visitor’s box and a fine finish. The final whistle blew to signal the end of a pulsating game with both sides giving it their all, playing some exceptional football, and were an absolute credit to themselves and their respective clubs. Nothing separating the sides in the end after an entertaining 4-4 draw.

Great Eight For Aylsham U13s In 4Sports Trophy

Match Report 03.03.19

Aylsham FC U13 v Hellesdon FC U13, Hellesdon High School

Aylsham FC U13 travelled to face Hellesdon FC U13 at Hellesdon High School this morning (Sunday 3rd March) in their 4Sports Trophy First Round fixture.

In wet and windy conditions Hellesdon kicked off and immediately Aylsham looked to press high to win the ball with good play between Brad and Mitchy giving Alfie a chance to shoot, forcing a smart save from the home keeper. In the 3rd minute Aylsham took the lead after Freddy’s corner was flicked on by Brad and Tyler was on hand to cleverly let the ball run across him to finish into the roof of the net on the turn.

The visitors were dominating possession but Hellesdon were well organised and defended well under pressure. In the 10th minute Aylsham doubled their advantage after a pass forward from Jude was diverted into the path of Mitchy who checked his run before lifting the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net with his left foot. Aylsham continued on the offensive and went close to adding a third as Alfie curled in an effort from outside the box but was unlucky to see it rebound off the bar and away. Mitchy retrieved the ball to start a slick incisive move involving Jude, Josh and Alfie setting up Brad to side-foot home but the goal was ruled out for offside. In the 23rd minute Alfie burst through following a long throw from Mitchy and forced a brave save from the keeper as Aylsham continued to threaten.

In the 24th minute the visitors did score their third goal following a dangerous corner from Josh that the keeper did well to punch away under pressure, but the ball dropped invitingly for Brad who beat three defenders to it and drilled home from close range. Aylsham made a double substitution in the 27th minute with Jack and Ronnie replacing Mitchy and Brad respectively. Jack was straight into the action latching onto Josh’s through ball but the keeper made a great diving save to keep his curling effort out. Two minutes later Josh tried his luck from distance but another smart save on the bounce kept the score at 3-0 to the visitors with the rebound just evading Tyler in an advanced position.

Aylsham went close again with two minutes of the half remaining as Adam’s throw found Alfie down the right channel. Alfie’s neat turn and dangerous left-footed cross-shot was just too far in front of Freddy as he stretched to reach it and the ball bounced agonisingly past the far post. The visitors finished the half on the attack and a fantastic pass from Jaiden sent Jack away down the left and he beat his man before cutting the ball inside to Josh who squared it to Alfie but his shot went narrowly wide of the far post. The whistle blew for half-time with a dominant Aylsham three goals to the good.

Aylsham kicked off the second half with Denver replacing Adam at right back. The visitors won a free-kick midway inside the Hellesdon half early on with Alfie picking out Jude who met it with his head but the keeper gathered well. In the 39th minute Freddy was first to a clearance from Josh’s corner and struck it powerfully but his shot rose over the bar. Four minutes later an incisive move from Aylsham started by Ronnie on the right led to some neat interplay between Jude, Denver and Josh. The ball was switched across to Jack who played a searching ball inside a defender to send Alfie into the left channel and his cross was met on the volley by Ronnie but his effort clipped the bar and went over.

In the 42nd minute Aylsham scored again after Josh showed great strength to keep possession but, finding his path forward blocked, laid the ball back to Jaiden who picked out Ollie to his right. Ollie drove forward before playing a beautiful ball into space for Denver to chase. The full back’s first-time cross into the box was controlled perfectly by Ronnie on the run and, while his shot was parried by the keeper, Jack was on hand to blast the ball home to make it 4-0 Aylsham. Three minutes later Hellesdon created themselves a chance but Bailey confidently saved a shot from distance.

In the 47th minute the visitors had another chance after Jude was first to a clearance to pick out Ronnie, playing a lovely ball across to Jack who turned his marker before teeing up Alfie who forced a smart stop from the busy Hellesdon keeper. A minute later Aylsham made another change with Mitchy coming back on to replace Josh. Moments later the visitors furthered their advantage after Tyler broke up a Hellesdon attack to find Jude who drove forward before setting Alfie clear and, although his marker put him under pressure, the striker stayed strong to cut back inside and finish clinically into the far corner of the net. Two minutes later Hellesdon pulled a goal back with a neat side-footed finish from inside the box.

In the 55th minute Aylsham made it 6-1 with Alfie tucking away a penalty after Freddy was brought down in the box. Straight from the restart Jack set Brad away and he was tripped as he looked to go round the keeper, Alfie completing his hat-trick finishing low down to the keeper’s right from the spot. A minute later Aylsham were through on goal again with Ronnie picking out Brad with a great pass but the keeper made a brave double save to keep his efforts out. Shortly after Tyler won back possession and a slick move involving Jack, Mitchy and Brad created an opportunity for Jack to shoot but a great diving save prevented another visitor’s goal.

In the 61st minute Bailey was called into action, pulling off a brilliant diving save to tip the ball round the post from a swerving drive from just inside the box. With seven minutes to go Aylsham made it 8-1 with a well worked team goal. Ollie was first to a clearance and played a neat one-two with Denver before sending a perfect ball through to Ronnie who set Brad through into the area. While Brad was guided away from goal he put in a dangerous centre that Jaiden helped on to Jack, cutting it back first-time for Alfie who took a great first touch past his marker before burying it into the corner of the net for his fourth goal of the game, taking the striker back to the top of the goal scoring charts for the season. Alfie took a well earned break with Josh coming back into the action. The rest didn’t last long as Alfie came back on for Tyler with two minutes remaining.

There was still time for Aylsham to create further chances, firstly Jaiden striking just over with a powerful drive and then on the next attack Ollie accelerated into the box but he screwed his shot inches wide. Just before the final whistle Mitchy struck a shot from distance that rose up over the bar as Aylsham finished the game in their opponent’s territory. A dominant performance by the visitors against a team that never gave up and worked hard, Aylsham advancing into the next round of the 4Sports Trophy winning the game by 8 goals to 1.