CENTRAL AJAX 3-2 LEAMINGTON HIBS: THE WORDS & A FEW IMAGES...

 Ajax Claw Back To Defeat Plucky Hibs…

Central Ajax 3-2 Leamington Hibs

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

I’m not writing proper reports for the pre-season matches because really, there’s no point…

However, apologies to Hibs’ Kyle King, whose scoring shot from just inside the Ajax half in the opening seconds of the game caught me slow on the ‘record button’, although in truth Tom Coles, the Ajax manager was explaining something to me at the time… However, I captured the effort just as it sailed over home goalie Rowberry’s head…

Then Muanza scored for Hibs from the left-flank, a delivery which also sailed and drifted over the ‘keeper and dropped into the far side of the net. Seriously, who’d be a ‘keeper? However, too many folks were spoiling my view along the touchline as Muanza kicked the ball, so he is out of shot too… Aargh…

Luke Steer shot in for the hosts to reduce the arrears before the break, following smart work by striker Taylor, who was also involved in two separate wrestling bouts. First he tangled with Hibs’ Ajayi, whose legs flew into the air like a turning waterwheel, then Leamington’s Smith lifted Taylor like he was shifting a bag of flour onto a cart for delivery to the manor house… 

I think Smith was cautioned but I believe Taylor wasn’t…

It was interesting to witness though… Actually, it was hilarious.

Two quick goals after the interval secured victory for Ajax, although that didn’t really matter, I guess. A scrambled effort by O’Connor made it 2-2, when Randall’s soaring back-header struck the crossbar and bounced down a yard out. That was the forward’s first goal for the club… Then Hibs’ skipper Featherstone fouled Taylor to concede a penalty, which was slotted into the right side of the net by Ajax midfielder Keeling.

More chances came and went but in all honesty, despite a good account of themselves given by Hibs, Ajax were mostly in control of the match.

Many substitutions were made by the teams, as drizzle fell on Ajax Park and the light faded, making filming tough, done largely beneath an umbrella…

Certainly, Hibs’ goalie Attwood did well enough as did Smith and Ajayi in defence, whilst Featherstone was often effective in midfield and Muanza was a threat with his pace on the left-flank.

For Ajax, their possession game is so well rehearsed, with the scything, smiling assassin Foley ‘adding spice’ to the midfield challenges. Luke Steer was prominent with his surging runs too and he deserved his goal, which of course was created by the dangerous and rapid Taylor.

It was a decent evening at Ajax Park and it was good to see Zak Featherstone still involved with Hibs, although it’s sad not to see him at the helm of the defence, bellowing instructions and attempting to out-shout his dad, the manager…

Now they are standing on the touchline together, performing a double act of bellowing (and encouragement) which should be worth watching in Midland League 3 this season…

Images...

THE SCRAP IN THE PLAYGROUND...

FOREGROUND: THE PACY MUANZA & TAYLOR...

MUANZA SEEMS ALMOST EMBARRASSED BY HIS GOAL FROM DOWNTOWN, WAY OUT WEST...

STEER, AFTER SCORING...

THE ADMONISHMENT OF SMITH...

RANDALL, MUANZA & FOLEY...

BEFORE THE TOSS, LISTENING TO TALES OF THE SEA...

KING (3RD FROM RIGHT) LOOKS RATHER SHY ABOUT HAVING SCORED FROM THE WELSH BORDER...