BARTESTREE 0-2 CENTRAL AJAX: MATCH REPORT...

Ajax Clean Out Bartestree To Win Challenge Vase, Which Is Really A Cup…

Bartestree 0-2 Central Ajax

(Played at Walshes Meadow, home of Stourport Swifts…)

There were I believe seven cautions issued by the referee during this encounter and yet few spectators would think there had been any real animosity shown during the proceedings at all. Indeed, the first period was so dull that neither goalkeeper had been particularly bothered, as work during the day, travelling to Stourport, tiredness, tension and a pitch not suited to a passing game all contrived to throw up a bunch of untidy attempts at finding colleagues with the ball and in truth to produce any real excitement at all. 

NEVER A BAD TIME TO SCRATCH YOUR LEG...

The second-half was a little more interesting, for at the very least two goals were scored, both converted by Ajax forward Alex Andrews, who must have taken liver salts at half-time, for his first strike was as spectacular as his second was clinical. ‘Tree never recovered really and Ajax goalie Paul Dipple’s evening remained less than strenuous. ‘Tree ‘keeper Jason Davies was offered little chance with Andrews’ two goals but those shots apart, he too was rarely forced into serious action, such was the general bluntness of the two attacks on show. By the finish, Bartestree, who had needed at least one goal to get back into the contest, had neither starting striker on the pitch, both Austin Thomas and Harry Waybourne having been replaced. ‘Tree were served well by their skipper however, the other Andrews, Darren, who was at the heart of much of the Herefordshire team’s best offensive play, whereas Ajax’s Lewis Fathers took the set-pieces using either boot, supported striker Matt Layton well but wasn’t destined to find the net, for Alex Andrews’ left foot did enough to snatch the Vase-Cup for the Warwickshire firm. Will Pendred proved to be a lively right-sided attacker for Ajax but no reward would come his way. 

THE GAME STARTS...

To be fair, both pairs of central defenders did well enough, for ‘Tree’s Toby Wildig and Jack Pitcher were resolute, whilst Ajax skipper Aaron Satchwell and sidekick Tom Dyke allowed Waybourne and Thomas few opportunities to shine. Both pairs of full-backs were lively though, especially Ajax’s Craig Robins and Adam Miles, who both made decent rushes upfield like attackers during the contest. Certainly ‘Tree made a few first-half shots, although two rising efforts from distance by the darker-bearded Andrews flew off target. Waybourne shot a low, angled free-kick straight into the shins of a two-man Ajax wall, then poked a shot from 18 yards past the left upright, whilst skilful winger Levi Ellis sliced one drive well wide. And that was that really for the Hereford lads, yet Ajax’s efforts at goal were even fewer in number, two to be exact. A near post Satchwell header from a Fathers corner flew just wide and a decent 22 yard left-boot free-kick by the lighter-bearded Andrews curled towards the left upright but wide of it.

NEALE, LEFT & FATHERS, FOREGROUND...

THE REF DOES A LITTLE WRITING...

Two bookings had been scribbled within the referee’s well thumbed notebook and the names of the tetchy Ali Neale of ‘Tree and Ajax’s Fathers now reside there. Half-time had arrived with little to report in all honesty and a couple of non-league footballers in the grandstand labelled the 45 minutes as “Boring…” They weren’t far wrong.

SECOND PERIOD...

The second period did rise a little in pace and in intent but yet again, few real chances were created by the two combatants. Bartestree replacement Isaac Oliver shot over the target, another shot was blocked in a crowded penalty-box and the dun-bearded Andrews barged Dipple into his own goal as the ‘keeper touched away a miscued header by his team-mate Satchwell, yet curiously the official ignored the challenge and awarded a corner to ‘Tree… A free-kick by Andrews curled over the right angle of crossbeam and upright, a scramble was survived by Ajax and Neale shot a long way wide of the left stick. The cautions? They went to Bartestree’s Andrews with the chin growth, Mark Langford and solid left-back Nick Weaver. Ajax’s Fathers wasted one free-kick opportunity, dropped a left-side centre over the goal frame and following a fine dummy by Robins, shoved a low 18 yard shot wide of the left post, to his dismay. It was not to be Fathers’ day… Miles ran, er, kilometres upfield but was denied; at the last it was left to Andrews with the less brown beard to score twice… 

A SHORT DEBATE ABOUT BREXIT HOLDS UP THE GAME...

SEATED FATHERS...

Both goals were struck from the inside-right position with Andrews’ left boot, the first from further out and the rising drive cannoned off the left upright before flying into the right side of the net. Spectacular…

AJAX LEAD 0-1...

Joe Wright’s introduction for Ajax brought goal two and it was his turn and pass to Andrews which allowed the loosely marked forward time to rattle a low shot from 18 yards past Davies and into the bottom right corner of goal.

0-2 NOW...

There were no other goal chances to speak of, despite some hurrying and harrying by Bartestree but with Oliver and Miles Langford in attack for the later periods of the game, they, like their predecessors, were not served well enough and Ajax saw the victory out, although several ‘injuries’ to the eventual winners’ players offered ‘Tree a full six minutes of added time, which brought no reward at all. Ajax’s hard working midfielder Matt Trinder and robust striker Layton were yellow-carded to complete the seven names in the referee’s little notebook of infamy.

"ARE YOU SAYING YOU ARE BOOKING ME BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SHAVED?"

The medals were handed out, Satchwell teased the cup into the air, Ajax’s players bounced and sang ‘Champione…’, before retreating to their dressing-room and bellowing some more, finally drowning out one of the Bartestree supporters who had offered a loud and profane co-commentary for my video highlights… 

WINNERS...

SINGERS...

ALEX ANDREWS, LEFT, LIKES THE CUP, VASE, PLATE, DISH, WHATEVER...

TEAMS:

BARTESTREE:

JASON DAVIES, LEWIS CLARKE, NICK WEAVER, TOBY WILDIG, JACK PITCHER, ALI NEALE, MARK LANGFORD, DARREN ANDREWS (CAPT), AUSTIN THOMAS, HARRY WAYBOURNE, LEVI ELLIS.

SUBS:

JACK SHEMWELL, TOM BURROUGHS, JOHN DAVIES, ISAAC OLIVER, MILES LANGFORD.

CENTRAL AJAX:

PAUL DIPPLE, CRAIG ROBINS, ADAM MILES, MATT TRINDER, AARON SATCHWELL (CAPT), TOM DYKE, NICK DYDE, WILL PENDRED, MATT LAYTON, LEWIS FATHERS, ALEX ANDREWS.

SUBS:

JOE WRIGHT, SAM SMITH, JORDAN LEWIS, SCOTT HUGHES, ADAM TRINDER.