With the shenanigans of the Junior shield fixture currently on going, the quarter final of the Fred Ford was a welcome distraction for the Aston boys.

Touch and go to whether the pitch would be playable with plenty of games falling victim to the snowfall from earlier in the week. Ian and Jason worked tirelessly and with the effort they’d put in the game was deemed playable to host Tower Hill.

Plenty for the gaffer to think about this week, with around 9 players unavailable, the gaffer called in Danny Rayfield for his first Aston first team start, along with Joe Edney at right back. Reece Wain (left back) and Matt Wood (centre back) also made their first starts of the season for the firsts along side stand in skipper Sam Rowe to complete the back 4. The architect continued looked to continue his good run of form wide right, fish swimmingly moved to left wing and the pig and Optimus prime played centre mid with Mr Bean and Pablorotti up top. This left the gaffer and Joe Allinson on the bench.

The gaffers message was clear from the off, battle and work hard on what would be a heavy pitch. Aston didn’t fail to do so and took and early lead from Mr Beans turn and tidy finish from a ______ assist. This would give Bean the confidence to finally kick the ball as hard as a 33 year old should and producing a fine save from DAn Cox in the Tower goal. Aston were on top, and shortly doubled their lead when fish smartly finished a _____ through ball, followed by an announcement after 20 minutes that he was extremely tired and might not last much longer. The gaffers tracksuit remained on for now and Aston continued to win the midfield battle that would be a big point in the games outcome. Beeross and woz proving their worth and fighting, not only in this game but giving Fog another headache in selection for the next game.

Debutant Rayfield was then called upon to make a save at his near post, very good considering the keeper had 4 layers under his shirt!

2 became 3 when Pabs powered in a header from a fish corner , and the game all but wrapped up before half time.

The message was simple for the second half , keep disciplined and organised and Matt Wood proving that his experience can be a real asset to the club, keeping Edney and wain in check of which both had superb games marking 2 very good wide men from tower.

Tower had a chance to get back into the tie however when the referee gave a penalty with not a single person appealing. Rumour has it woz got his trotter mixed in there to concede the penalty, silly old pig. Nevertheless, They blasted the penalty wide and Aston maintained their lead.

Tower did grab one back with around 15 to go before the gaffer unleashed his pace upfront and then pig was sent off for dropping a couple of C bombs .

Good win to the end the year.

The Gaffer :)