After a week off Aston returned to Fred Ford cup action, looking to book a place in the quarter finals, where the winners will face Tower Hill. The opponents looking to stand in the lions way were Chadlington. The team came into this game on the back of their big victory over Bampton, and with Edwards wanting the club to do well in all competitions this game would mean just as much as any other.

A few enforced changes again, which is now becoming the weekly norm. Edwards was booked in to be a clown for a double header of kids parties, and Rowe was showcasing his tight perm at the Olympia hairdressing conference. Clarke was to don the gloves, with Fleming Jr replacing Rowe at centre back. Harris, Angus and Beer made up the rest of the defence. Midfield was unchanged in the form of Fleming Sr, Austin, Evans and Cade with Lewis and Colleton up front. Sundblad returned to the shire to be the only available sub. Renowned for stealing his brothers’ clothes, this week he had to borrow a towel from them, unknown to him it was actually Joey the dogs towel.

On a very cold afternoon the message before the game was to again go out and get the game won early. This has been the big change in the team as a whole this season, converting a lot more chances than they have in previous years. Today was no different. The home side took the lead with the first 10 minutes. A short corner was taken between Fleming Sr and Angus, with Angus returning the ball to Fleming. He cut inside onto his right and struck a shot low, but straight at the keeper. He saved with his feet but hit a recovering defender and into the net. 1-0 Aston.
It wasn’t long before 1 became 2. Fleming Jr passed the ball in Fleming Sr on the half way line. Angus, who was making a lung busting overlap was played in down the line. A fantastic cross into the area found Colleton, who finished off a great team move. 2-0 Aston. The reds were controlling the game, and with Evans and Austin winning the ball back quickly in the midfield the pressure was constant. Chad would need something to change if they were to get themselves back into the tie. They were to be disappointed and Aston soon had a quick fire 3 nil lead. Another short corner was played between Fleming Sr and Angus. Angus passed the ball to Cade on the edge of the area, where he passed first time into Fleming who had continued his run. His attempted cross was blocked, but fell kindly for him to shoot through a crowd of players. 3-0 Aston.
Chads best chance came on the counter attack. A good break ended with the striker having an effort from about 18 yards that looked comfortable for Clarke to save. He had an Edwards moment and fumbled it back to the striker, but recovered by making an outstanding save from close range. A wake up call for the reds to not take the lead for granted. Even with the pitch tearing up Aston continued to want to play from the back. All being midfielders playing out of position helped a lot in this. Harris and Fleming Jr were confident on the ball to work their way out either through the full backs or splitting balls into midfield.
The half drew on and Aston still had further chances to increase their lead. Lewis missed from 8 yards out, Austin had a daisy cutter free kick saved on the line and Colleton nearly caught the keeper out with a shanked cross. There was still time for Evans to attempt a cross, only to be moving at such speed he ended up in the manure behind the goal. Karma for a man that has a true hatred for horses. Half time 3-0.

Half time was a team discussion, with everyone pulling in the same direction. The emphasis being 'lets do what we did to Bampton' and keep this good run of form going, so we can take it into the next game. No changes were made and the home side just needed to keeping their foot down.

The second half didn't quite begin in the same manner as the first. A little complacency was starting to drift into Aston's play, with Fleming Sr doing a double toe punt straight out of play, Lewis calling for the ball on his chest, only to try and stop and his legs continued skiiing in the mud and tumbled over, passes going astray and the build up play far less fluid. This mixed with a much more spirited Chad, who came out showing a lot of grit and determination. They still thought they were in the game and could salvage something.
There hopes were dashed 10 minutes in though as the 50th Aston corner was crossed by Fleming Sr to the far post, where it was met in turn with aplomb by the on rushing Lewis. 4-0 Aston. Aston then changed things with Austin being replaced by Sundblad, who went right mid. Cade went left mid and Fleming Sr in centre mid. Chad hit back pretty much immediately. Trying to play out from the back Clarke passed into Fleming Sr, who tried to lay it off first time to Beer. A lovely bobble spooned the ball straight into the air. Harris making a flying challenge to stop the striker getting onto it caught it straight on the volley towards his own goal. Clarke diving to save it saw the ball hit another bobble and straight over him. A comedy of errors and 4-1 Aston. Chad buoyed by the goal again saw hope.
It was short lived as a headed move between Evans and Colleton found Lewis free on half way. Cade bursting past him was played in on goal. A great first touch found him 1 on 1. Needing to pick a side he shot straight at the keeper VERY SOFTLY. The keeper panicked with Cade running straight for him and looped the ball in the air, where Cade this time headed it in. 5-1 Aston.
Chad then got their second life line. Having conceded from playing out from the back before Chad got their second gift from Aston. Fleming Jr passed to Clarke in goal. Clarke tried to pass back to him but left the ball very short. Chad nicked the ball and put the ball in the net. 5-2 Aston.
Aston needed to regroup and just go back to what they were doing before. Taking the sting out of the game they finally started controlling the ball and the game much better in the final 10 minutes, and this coincided with them getting the 6th and final goal of the game. Sundblad found himself played through out wide. He beat his defender and laid the ball off to Lewis. He struck for the corner not quite as cleanly as he would have liked. A returning defender ran past the ball and it went into the corner of the net. 6-2 Aston.

Two soft goals to concede but another win under the belt for the lads and into the next round. December is now a big month for the team with Westminster next up in the Shield, followed by a tough game against Stonesfield in the league and Fred Ford quarter final vs Tower Hill. This is where the team wants to be fighting for everything so lets keep up the good work. MOTM this week is Evans for his tireless display. He showed a different side to his game being much more combative and disciplined.

#UPTHEASTON