Author Archives: Lee Todd

Aylsham go down in local derby

Last night in front of a huge crowd North Walsham ran out 3-1 winners against Aylsham.

The Angels were in control for most of the game with their pacey wingers causing problems to the Aylsham back four, once they got ahead Aylsham were always facing an uphill battle, one that became even harder after they received two red cards.

Angels chairman Alex Brady said, “What a win last night for North Walsham. From the first minute to the 90th, every single member of the management team and playing staff battled and fought to ensure the 3 points stayed at Greens Road, with the goals coming from Matty Downing (2) and Liam Clarke.

Credit has to go to Aylsham for bringing over 100 fans, and with the overall crowd in excess of 300 it was a brilliant occasion with lots of friendly banter between the two sets of fans.

A special mention has to go to the referee for controlling the game well in the tough conditions – and he certainly played his part in a very entertaining game.

With crowd numbers at record levels in 2017, it certainly serves as a reminder that football is alive and well within the town, and that improved facilities should continue to remain the aim for the club and the town”

It was in stark contrast to the Aylsham camp whose promotion push has slipped away in recent weeks, manager Martin Meek said, “We were all gutted and disappointed in the changing room after the game, we let ourselves and the fans down. But fair play to North Walsham who were the better team on the night.”

PICTURES: HSR PHOTOGRPAHY

Your old boots can make a difference

Aylsham Football Club is aiming to help African youngsters enjoy the sport by sending them their discarded football boots.

They will be collecting used boots at the club and at other points in the town for the charity Boots2Africa.

The charity collects, transports and distributes donated boots to Africa’s children and young adults through relief organisations, which also accept donations for their work.

Thousands of children in the United Kingdom, Europe and other first world countries, discard their football boots at the end of each playing season. Most boots are adaptable to life in bush towns and urban settlements.

Millions of children across Africa have no shoes, for school, life and playing games. Disease, infections and snakebites kill thousands and injure and incapacitate many others every year. Many others struggle physically and needlessly because of illness caused from infections of the foot. The charity aims to help through donations.

Gus Bates, Aylsham FC youth chairman, said: “All we have to do is collect old unwanted football boots and astro trainers, these will then be collected and distributed to children around Africa. Youngsters in this country generally have so much so it’s nice to be able to help out those less fortunate when we can.”

The club is looking forward to a big crowd at Youngs Park on Saturday when Norwich City Elite Youth will be playing at the ground. And Gus hopes people will bring along their boots then to donate.

“We will also be placing collection bags at the ground on youth days,” he said. “We’d be delighted to send a good load of boots away to help these youngsters.”

Girls hand out 8-0 drubbing

Great performance from AFC U15 girls today, strong from start to finish showing great passing and communication, real team work throughout. Winning 8-0, 1 goal Jasmin Parkin 1 goal Abi Durand and 6 goals from Jaime Sadler-Barker well done girls, very proud coach today.

Our under 15 girls after their 8-0 win.

 

 

 

AFC battle to come away with draw

Very good 1st team 3-3 draw away at Wymondham Town FC today.

0-0 at halftime … Physical game & hardfort half on small / poor pitch surface with Ed Wisk (GK) hobbling off with injury after 2 mins, caused by the boot of Potter.

All rounder club captain Gedge moved between the sticks & soon made a double punch save from 30 yards.

2nd half even move lively with Home team scoring almost from kick off, but pleasingly Toby responded within minutes with a belter / wrong footing keeper.

Further changes required with potter coming off feeling unwell, gave Keiron Mack a run out at the back. Wymondham took the lead again, but Jolly soon equalised with a well taken goal.

Wymondham moved 3-2 up with 10 mins to go and it looked like multiple enforced changes & effort would not be rewarded … Never say die attitude with Coe coming off the bench to equalise with minutes remaining.

An exciting game for the neutral … Credit to the boys on the day who started with a number of players unavailable, losing Keeper within 5 mins and still getting a good point.

Centre midfield duo of Boam & Bush … Immense, but hard not to list & commend whole team … Enjoy the curry tonight !!!

Reserves end 2016 on a high

Aylsham Reserves played host to South Walsham in their final home game of 2016.

The team were keen to end the year on a high, continuing their strong promotion push and just as importantly for some, ensure they went into the annual AFC xmas curry night on the back of 3 points.

The team started with a good tempo but it was clear early on that the opponents were going to have numbers behind the ball & happy to sit back and defend.

Fortunately for us it didn’t take long before the deadlock was broken, with a sublime through ball from Trav putting Mark Critten through on goal to beat the keeper one on one & put us in the lead. This was to be Travs last involvement, after not recovering from a tweak in the warm up that even the magic hands of Simon Gotterson & some deep heat pre match couldn’t help.

The team hungry for more goals were pressing high, most of our play was coming from the right hand side with both Carl & Lenny putting in all action displays.

The two had to switch so that Lenny could catch a breather, clearly struggling after having the sniffles all week. It goes without saying that the gaffer (daddy) showed great sympathy from the sideline!

We went in at half time with just a one goal lead after failing to take other chances. The team continued to push forward in the second half, but it was the visitors who went closest, with a chance out of nothing resulting in Matty diving full stretch to tip over the bar…. personally I think our sub GK Liam would have held it.

This was a wake up call to Aylsham who then came close with a towering header from Craig being tipped over, the resulting corner found its way to Mike who headed back across to Owen who reacted quickly to head in.

The visitors looked beaten & Aylsham showed their ruthless streak with another header from Owen.

Mark got his second too, but goal of the game went to sub Isaac who capitalised from a poor kick out to lob the keeper from distance.

Another good performance by the team, with some young lads stepping in to help when more senior players are getting opportunities in the first team.

We finish the year looking great, just a shame the same couldn’t be said about some of the lads shirt choices for the Xmas night out!

Aylsham Reserves 5-0 South Walsham

Aylsham FC scoop two awards in a week

Aylsham Football Club is this week celebrating picking up two awards – one from the Norfolk FA and the other from Radio Norwich.

The club, which is nearly a year into its big move to the new purpose-built Youngs Park facility on the outskirts of Aylsham, will be presented with the Norfolk FA Charter Standard Community Club of the Year award by Bryan Gunn at Norfolk FA’s annual gala awards evening tonight at Dunston Hall.

The awards recognise the achievements of Norfolk’s grassroots football community. And Aylsham FC’s win is a reflection of many years of hard work in getting Youngs Park up and running for the community, the scale of growth to 25 teams and its tireless efforts to develop football in the community for all ages and genders.

The Norfolk award also earned Aylsham the right to be put through to the judging of the regional Charter Standard Community Club award. The eventual winner at national level was Gedling Southbank FC in Nottinghamshire.

Ian Potter, chairman of Aylsham FC, said: “We have a highly dedicated team of volunteers at the club intent on creating a legacy for future generations and our town.

“An award like this goes a long way to support that effort by so many unsung heroes, by officially recognising at county FA level the hard work of the community to drive this club forward.

“We are almost at the anniversary of our adventure at Youngs Park and should all be very proud of winning awards like this for our community. I would like to thank Mick McCann for demonstrating to the FA why we were deserving of this accolade.”

Kelly Simmons, the FA’s director of participation and development, said: “Volunteers and clubs like these are what keep the grassroots game alive.

“Their efforts give children and adults of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy and participate in a safe environment, and without them the game we know and love couldn’t exist.”

And on Wednesday evening, the club’s youth chairman Gus Bates, who also helps run under 11 and under six sides, picked up a Local Hero Award from Radio Norwich’s Rob Chandler and Kate McCabe at the Holiday Inn Norwich North.

The awards recognise the unsung heroes in the Radio Norwich broadcast area who contribute so much to their communities.

“To be the person who picks up the award is an honour,” said Gus.

“But it’s really important to understand that there is a core group of people at the club who work their socks off to give lots of young people the chance to play football in a safe environment where they can learn to be the best they can.

“In truth, the award has been earned by everyone in that core group.”

Despite the awards, Mr Potter said it was crucial for the future of the club to attract more volunteers to step forward across a range of roles.

“It’s been a fabulous few months, but we need more help in the form of volunteers.

“Anyone who feels they have a relevant skill would be made most welcome. As we grow, we really need a sales person to promote advertising opportunities, volunteer caretaker, refreshment and bar staff.

“There are plenty of roles that could suit local people who just want to get involved in supporting the club and the facility.”

Contact Mr Potter at ian.potter13@btinternet.com.

 

Gus Bates (2nd right) collecting his award from Rob Chandler, Andrew Hudson and Kate McCabe.