After last weeks shambles at Minster, Aston were keen to get back to winning ways with a tricky tie against Kirtlington who were tipped by John Smyth as his favourites for the league.

Injuries, holidays, visits to friends in London hampered the squad, but Aston were able to name a full 14 eventually! Gaffer Edwards on the sidelines, assisted by Aston hero Kev Alcraft. Joe “Phil Jones” Wood took on the task of squeezing into the luminous banana kit, with a change of formation again from injured Baldy Man Fog, starting with 3 at the back of Clarkey, Simmo and Daz. Nick and Stinging nettle favourite Alex started either wing, with 2 x Angries and a nutcase in centre mid of James, Ross and Crazy Dave. Fish started up top with local dog walker Ryan Oliver. Shaun Jacquest or Jacko as he’s known joined the squad for the first time after his 5-year absence from the 11 a side game, Edders and Pablorotti completed the squad.

Another fantastically organised referee from the league that didn’t show meant Matt Wood stood in in his puffer and jeans and did a fine and fair job in the middle.

The game started well for both sides. Both sides looking to play a proper game of football and keep hold of the ball. Aston pressed and battled in the middle and against the run of play went 1-0 when a relatively straight ball caught out the back 3 and he slotted past Wooder in the Aston sticks. Not to be defeated, Aston picked themselves back up and continued to play their possession game.

Aston nearly fell further behind but the egg sharp on an obvious offside call, and Wooder making 2 smart saves, just a warning for the side as the score remained at 1-0.

Aston on top at this point, and duly equalised when a fine flowing move ended with a James pull back for fish to fling a flipper at the football into the far corner, 1-1 and Aston in control.

Aston then headed in front as Fish span, a pirouette air volley as such to just creep the ball inside the area and his “safe zone” for scoring and looped one into the top corner. 2-1 to Aston at half time and a completely different approach and attitude to the game from last week.

Mr Aston Angus had taken a knock just before the half and replaced by Jacko for his Aston debut, shape remained the same for now as the second half started with again a high tempo. Kirtlington had pushed another player on to pile the pressure, but stout defending kept them at bay as both sides continued to go at each other for the 4th goal of the game.

Disaster almost struck for Aston as crazy dave has lost use of his crazy legs and whilst awaiting a substitution headed the ball into the path of the kirtlington centre midfielder who slotted through to their striker that Alex did catch up with, but clattered just inside the box. Easy decision for the stand ref and penalty to the away side. Joe Wood then proceeded to pull off a fantastic stop in the Aston net down to his right to keep the game at 2-1, a let off for Aston and relief for Alex not to give away his second goal in as many weeks.

Crazy was then replaced by Pablorotti as the formation changed again to a 433, with Jacko sat in with Block Head and Le Sulk. The battled continued with a few decent chances for either side, Wooder at one end tipping one onto the bar an over, and Fish close to completing his hattrick at the other. Edney then replaced Alex for the last 25 minutes as Aston looked to hold on.

Still pissing down with rain and a worry for the gaffers Barnet, Aston finally put the game to bed, Ryan Oliver at his more favoured signal finding end of the field, latched on to a pass from Fish , completely miss hit his finished but tricked the stumbling keeper and it trickled into the corner. 3-1 to Aston.

Still time left from Fleming Snr to roll a back pass to the keeper, and Edney to miss a great chance to add a 4th, but overall a great performance from each and every player on the pitch.

Man of the match was a close call, the new centre back partnership of Clarkey and Simmo superb again, Crazy Dave had plenty of energy in the centre along with Ross and James. Fish obviously deserves a mention for his 2 goals and an assist as well, looking sharp on his new diet. Man of the Match however was just pipped by stand-in Keeper Joe Wood. Sharp saves in the first half, the pen save at 2-1 proved vital and a solid performance.

Tough trip away next week as we look to continue the momentum from the team performance before a week off.

The Gaffer, Edwards.

Aston FC

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