Ampthill Town Aces U15

Ampthill Town Aces U15 This is a page dedicated to all things relating to one of Ampthill Town’s Grassroots youth teams.

12/04/2026

Match report

Aces 7-1 Baldock Town

Last league match of the season and on my birthday to boot, and I sent the boys out with a clear message that today wouldn’t be easy, and that they needed to be switched straight back on with a cup final around the corner, and it wasn’t long before the boys had the game fully in their control. From early on the boys played some great football and our prowess from corners was soon shown with Max smashing the bar with a great header. But then the deadlock was broken by Max using his pace and skill and slotting the first goal home. This opened the floodgates with Will then following the first goal with a quickfire hat-trick, with the second one a particular highlight and a beautiful strike from outside the box. At 4-0 up the boys didn’t let up and showed some more quality football all over the pitch. Ryan then made it 5-0 with a mazy run into the box and a very cool finish low to the keepers right. The boys going forward are at times completely unplayable, but they were caught napping towards the end of the half where a Baldock forward sliced the ball wide of an open goal following some miscommunication between Cookie and Lewis. However our goal led a charmed life in that respect and we came in 5 goals to the good.

The second half started and the boys didn’t really come out initially and Baldock put them under some pressure and that pressure paid off with them getting a goal back after some really sloppy play at the back. Baldock continued to show signs of life and put us under pressure playing with the wind. However, the boys soon took the initiative back with some glorious football between Issac and Will, who laid it onto a plate for Max to grab his second. Then once again, it was Max who finished the scoring off showing strength, power and endeavour for his hat-trick. Comfortably, the boys saw out the remainder of the game and in reality, should’ve had a hatful more goals with the number of chances we had. But a great result and a boat-load of confidence to take into our final match of the season, the cup final.

Players of the week today went firstly to Anthony, who was everywhere today knitting the play together, driving forward, defending when needed, an all round top performance. Second player this week was a tight call between Max and Will, both with hat-tricks, but I thought that Max’s running in the channels and his sheer persistence earned him this weeks accolade.

So, onto next week we go, and the biggest game in this teams short history. It’s going to be a tough match, and it’s going to take a monumental effort from the boys to pull it off, but these boys have evolved over the season into a never say die group who on their day can be a match for any team. And, with the magic of the cup, you just never know.

Believe boys…Believe.

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

29/03/2026

Match Report

Aces 10-3 Bedford Town Greys

A great start to the Easter break, albeit on a very wet and cold afternoon up at Redborne.

With only 11 and a half players today (the half being a very poorly Fletcher with a chest infection), the boys again had to be sensible with their energy and work rate and not expend everything they had too early. They had to make good decisions and be disciplined in what they did, and they didn’t let us down. Starting the match quickly attacking the flanks, the boys created chance after chance from open play and corners with potent delivery from Charlie and Zach. However the ball didn’t seem to want to go in. Eventually, the floodgates were opened by Lewis with a deft header from another Charlie corner. This was then quickly followed by a Zach corner which was kept alive by Lewis and with the ball falling to Anthony to prod home. More chances followed with Charlie missing the target, Tyler hitting the bar and then Seb skying the rebound. Charlie then made it three with a clinical low finish from the edge of the box.

Coming in 3-0 to the good, it was just a reminder to the boys to stay disciplined and be mindful of their speed on the break. But then the boys took things to another level. Continuing the trend of playing wonderfully simple pass and move football, the boys turned on the after burners. Wave after wave of attack led to Max being tripped up in the box, and Zach stepping up to slot the penalty home. Then Zach’s second quickly followed after a beautiful cross from the left dropped into the box and he slotted coolly past their keeper. Credit to Bedford who kept going and pulled a goal back, but this just pushed the boys even more. Max came through with a 6th, then Zach completed his hat trick, followed by a class finish from Tyler. Rossi who had been battling a bad back of late had to come off and out of his sick bed Fletcher moved into goal with Cookie moving into centre back. Fair play to Rossi, he had run himself into the ground and really put a shift in to the point that he could barely run as he was in so much pain. Hope you heal up quickly Rossi. Another goal for Bedford came soon after the change, but Max added a ninth and then Tyler added a 10th. Bedford kept pushing, and now with everyone wanting to get on the scoresheet, they scored a third but the result was never in danger.

This was as complete a performance as we could’ve wished for with the 11 (and a half!) players that we had. I asked these boys to give me a selection head ache for the last two games of the season, and with the football they all played and the communication between them was absolutely superb. They gave me a really great problem and they also showed me that they are all very capable when called upon.

We couldn’t pick a player of the week today, so it went to the whole team. Absolutely class boys.

No training tomorrow night as it’s the Easter holidays, but keep an eye on the WhatsApp group for a training run out at Abbey Lane before our last league match on the 12th April.

I hope everyone enjoys their Easter break. If you’re ill or injured, then please use this time to rest up and heal and come back fighting for our last two matches of the season.

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

22/03/2026

Match Report

Sacred Heart 3-2 ATFC Aces

Another really frustrating match for the boys, where some very questionable refereeing spoiled what should’ve been a really good match.

The boys started really positively with some good football and instantly putting them under pressure. However, Sacred Heart, who were not the same side that got smashed by the boys in January as they’d added some of their Division 1 players to their ranks. The boys were the first ones on the scoresheet where some lovely interplay between Charlie, Isaac and Max leading to Will who finished clinically. The boys saw out the first half with a really strong defensive performance under some big pressure. The ref had set his stall out in the first half too with the award of weak free kicks to the opposition, wrongly booking Isaac, and giving us absolutely nothing while our boys got pulled, pushed, stood on and bumped off the ball. But somehow the boys were resolute and came in 1-0 to the good.

At half time we talked about defensive discipline, playing simple football and staying strong, and to the boys credit they did all of that, and even showed some fight too. Unfortunately, the bounce of the ball was against us today and some long balls caused us trouble and they scored from one that we don’t deal with making it 1-1. Then a moment of madness from the ref. He blew up for a foul on Max, who then got pushed again by the same player, but their player wasn’t ready for the push back and soon started to retreat. Then when play restarted, he gave the ball to Sacred Heart who then broke while we were still shocked by what had happened and scored their second. An absolutely abhorrent decision from the ref which completely changed the game. Obviously feeling aggrieved, the boys then went angrily searching for a goal which led to a long ball straight down the middle and a third for the opponents. However the boys never stopped fighting, and the boys made it a very nervy finish for them with another brilliant strike from Will to make it 3-2. Again the ref showed how truly awful he was today by failing to add any time on for blatant time wasting from Sacred Heart and the boys ended up in the wrong end of an underserved result.

It was a really frustrating day where decision making wasn’t at its best, mainly from a questionable referee, who didn’t even have the courtesy to talk to anyone after the game or shake hands, utterly disgusting. Still the boys fought all the way to the very end and deserved something from the game.

Players of the week went firstly to Tyler who was absolutely everywhere today battling and playing some great football. Second player today went to Lewis, who played with heart, passion and drive today.

Unlucky today boys, you deserved more. Still into our last match before the Easter break next week with Bedford Town at home and a chance to get some real momentum.

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

15/03/2026

Match Report

Wootton Purples 2-2 Aces

On a wet and very windy Mothers Day, the boys put in a great display against a tough opponent.

Kicking with the wind in the first half, it was clear that whoever was kicking into the wind was going to find it extremely tough, and long before the wind played its part. After a couple of speculative efforts from very long range, Lewis picked the ball up in our own half and smashed the ball towards the Wootton goal where their keeper misjudged the bounce, and the ball ended up in the back of the net. More speculative efforts followed with not much luck and then Wootton hit back with a really well taken finish from their striker after some nice football keeping the ball under the wind. Trying to use the wind a little too much and losing focus on the football, the boys were getting frustrated. However, one long ball later and Max pounced with a fantastic control and left foot finish.

Coming in a goal up at the break, we pointed out to the boys that we needed to manage the long ball and the wind effectively in order to stay in front, and the boys did that for the majority of the half, with the exception of one single moment where Wootton’s striker controlled the ball in a rare moment of quality, and calmly slotted it home. The action didn’t end there though with the boys continually driving on creating chances and we could’ve quite easily won in the end. But the 11 lads who played the full 80 minutes today absolutely smashed it out of the park. I know we’ve got some walking wounded and a few carrying knocks, so rest up boys, we go again next week.

Players of the week today firstly went to Isaac with his constant running, his maturity in pushing forward especially in the second half into a gale and getting battered. Second player went to Rocco who on his second start of the season played a full 80 minutes, and took care of the right side of the defence in classic fashion, working well with Finn and the rest of his team. Brilliant work boys.

Today’s performance was gritty, hardworking and full of character. Absolute beasts today from 1 to 11!!

Amazing performance boys
COYA
Rob

08/03/2026

Match Report

League Cup Semi Final
Bedford Town Greys 0-6 ATFC Aces

Some very bright football on a rather bleak Sunday afternoon…

Not knowing what to expect from a team we had yet to play this season, it was a trip into the unknown for us all today with a place at Super Sunday at stake.

We sent the boys out with a mission, to take the game to Bedford and do not let them rest or give them any opportunity, and it was soon apparent that the boys were right up for this one. Chance after chance fell our way through constant pressure from the likes of Will, Ryan, Rossi and Charlie, but the goal just wouldn’t come. Then, the breakthrough. A beautifully taken corner from Charlie was met by Isaac who effort was turned home by Shay. A second then quickly followed with Will finishing smartly from just inside the box with a great strike. The boys finished the first half looking solid defensively and not letting Bedford have any clear looks at our goal.

At half time we reminded the boys that we still had a job to do and to treat the match as 0-0 and not to let up, and they didn’t. It wasn’t long before the scoring continued with Shay getting the end of another gorgeous Duffy corner and then Will getting his second. It was pretty much all one way traffic with Bedfords goal under siege. Shay then got his hat-trick from yet another wonderful corner delivery from Charlie. All of the halftime and second half changes that we made saw Fletcher make his way up the field to play up front and his constant work rate saw him rewarded with a very well taken finish under immense pressure from the Bedford keeper. As everyone tried to get on the scoresheet, occasionally Bedford threatened, but some stout defending from the boys made sure the copybook wasn’t blotted. Further changes with some experimental positions led to further chances, with some of the lads unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. But eventually the boys ran out comfortable winners and got their deserved day to come in May.

A fantastic display all round today with starters and bench all putting in a tremendous shift and playing their hearts out. However, two players came away with the POTW honours this week. Firstly Charlie with his ridiculous delivery from corners leading to three killer goals. This along with his all round play today gave him a thoroughly well deserved award. Secondly this week, we cannot ignore a hat-trick, but not only that, his defending was no nonsense and resolute, well done Shay. Honorable mentions today for Will, Rossi & Isaac (we won’t mention the falling over the ball incident 😂), and all the boys from the bench (Seb, Rocco, Tyler and Zach) who put in great performances and affected the game positively.

A great performance all round today, and a massive thank you to all the parents and siblings who came to support today. It’s always very much appreciated and the boys really thrive on the positivity.

So, onto the final we march, but before that, we’ve got our final four league matches to take care of. The bar for effort and application has been set now and we don’t let it drop until the season has finished.

And a big Happy International Women’s Day to all the Mum’s.

Onwards and upwards boys
COYA
Rob

22/02/2026

Match Report

Luton Jets 8-1 Ampthill Aces

Well, I wasn’t expecting that…

A rather chastening result on a very blustery afternoon in Luton, against a very tough opponent on a quagmire of a pitch.

Kicking into a first half wind, the boys spent most of the first half under considerable pressure. It wasn’t long before Luton opened the scoring with a finish from a scramble in our own box which could’ve been avoided. The boys responded very quickly from a free kick on half way, which Rossi took and released Ryan who slotted home. Still the boys kept finding themselves under pressure and the award of a cheap free kick on the edge of our box led to Luton’s second goal. Free kick striking our bar and falling to one of their players who put it in the back of the net. Luton then made it 3-1 at half time where the boys allowed the opposition too much space to shoot. In between Luton’s goals the boys were still a threat themselves and could’ve quite easily been only one behind or even level at the break.

Coming in at 3-1 down, but with the knowledge that they had a brutal wind behind them in the second half, the boys went out with instructions to keep attacking with pace and to keep it tight at the back and avoid the mistakes. That plan was quickly put to bed with a goal to Luton within the first 5 minutes of the second half. More errors, poor decision making and a lack of intensity, compounded by some good finishing led to another 4 goals for Luton resulting in a really disappointing defeat.

After such positivity over the last few weeks, for me today was disappointing and frustrating. Players made decisions they would not normally make, made mistakes that they would not normally make and some with attitudes that we would not normally see. A few bright spots from today were Max’s attitude and constant running all day with nothing to show for it, Rossi’s through ball and Ryan’s tidy finish, Tyler’s effort and endeavour and Seb’s tenacity, with the latter two picking up this weeks players of the week.

Today’s report might seem harsh, but from my perspective this was the reality of how today went. I know as a unit we are better than this by a long, long way, and while we haven’t got a match next Sunday, we do have a cup semi final in two weeks time and if we win that, we get either Luton or Ashwell in the final, and this is a clear indication of how much work we have to put in each and every week to get something the team deserves.

With all that being said, today was only our second defeat since November and we need to get back into that positive mindset, which starts tomorrow night at training, with some hard graft.

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

15/02/2026

Match Report

Ampthill Aces 3-1 Sandy Whites

“That escalated quickly!”

A really great match today against a tough opponent from earlier on in the season. I really wanted this for the boys today because in the return fixture early in the season, the boys were robbed by some questionable refereeing. So today was a little bit of redemption.

The boys started really well, and it wasn’t long before Max was in behind their defensive line, only to be thwarted by a linesman’s flag, a common theme for the rest of the match. Some good football being played by both sides eventually led to the breakthrough. Will breaking into the box let the ball travel close to the byline, and then a moment of controversy, as Will managed to just keep the ball in play, which the referee agreed with, squared it to a waiting Max who slotted home. With their linesman absolutely seething and adamant that the ball had gone out, we celebrated a goal and went about our business. Then Will, our captain for the day, simply told the linesman that the whole ball hadn’t gone out and that he couldn’t clearly see along the line, only for the Lino to front up to Will from a distance away. This attitude continued on the sideline to the point where he started to have a go at me for another incident. I managed to walk away but I did speak to their coaches who basically told him to be quiet or there would be an issue. The rest of the half continued without incident but their linesman clearly had an agenda and gave offside at every turn.

1-0 at half time, the boys were told not to let up. Keep the intensity, play simple football, and finish when we got the opportunity. However, it was Sandy who equalised with a worldy finish after their player was given far too much room on the edge of the box. Then the boys found another gear, finding their rhythm, passing it around, and creating some really great chances with Tyler, Max, Isaac, Will and Ryan all coming close. Then finally a breakthrough, a long ball from a goal kick bounced kindly through for Will to run onto and absolutely bury the finish. Some subtle changes to the team gave us more control with Rossi picking the ball up and picking passes always looking to be positive. Defensively solid once again, we eventually got our third. Some class work between Fletcher, Will, Isaac and Ryan led to the latter breaking into the box, cutting in and finishing to make it three. The boys then saw the game out with clever play and calm assured football. The boys then shook hands with Sandy and we celebrated on the sideline.

Aside from their linesman, the game was played in a good spirit by both teams, and their coaches were very complimentary, even apologising for their linesman’s attitude.

A class performance again by the boys. 1-13 all played their part in equal measure today. Players of the week today firstly went to Ryan whose workrate from front to back was outstanding. He was a constant threat and bagged a goal for his efforts. Second player this week went to Will, who under the added pressure of the Captains armband put in a real captain’s performance with his constant movement, his passing, and a goal and assist to boot. I’ve got to give a special mention to Tyler. A halftime substitute, he gave an outstanding performance for 40 minutes showing beautiful footwork, toughness in the tackle, and a will to win in abundance. Both he and Rocco came on and affected the game positively. Something I always try to drill home to the players who find themselves starting on the bench. An utterly superb performance.

Now onto next week and a chance to vanquish another foe from earlier on in the season away ar Luton Jets. Let’s keep this positive run going boys and go to Luton with that winning mentality.

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

01/02/2026

Match Report

Aces 5-4 Wootton Purples

A cup tie against a team just above us in the league, and a chance to move onto the next round, and what a match we witnessed.

We sent the boys out with a strong message to put their stamp on the game quickly and to protect their own territory, and the boys went straight out and put Wootton under pressure. Absolutely monstering the opposition and creating chances in the first 10 - 15 minutes, without scoring. Then a Wootton goal totally against the run of play. A swift counter with a killer through ball between the lines ended with their left winger slotting home. Shell shocked, the boys took a minute to settle again, but when they did, they made it count with Max Harrison proving deadly again from close range after some classy work from Will on the byline. Then another Wootton hammer blow as the ball broke to their number 10 who lashed it past Cookie from distance. Again, it took the boys a minute to get back into rhythm but more and more pressure was building on the Wootton goal with a flurry of corner, one which led to a great headed equaliser by Max. Then the boys completed the first half comeback with great stinging low drive from Will.

The boys came in at half time buoyant and full of confidence after twice being behind. We reiterated to them the importance of discipline out of possession and effectiveness in it, and the boys took everything we said and put it into practice. Assured in defence under some intense pressure at times, and calm in possession going forward, even with Wootton equalising. The boys going forward played some great football again which ended with Will finishing in some style low to the keepers right from an angle. At 4-3 the boys kept it tight and kept playing their game. Frustrating the opposition to the point where they were starting with niggly fouls. Then, the clincher. Pressure down the left from Will led to a mistake by the Wootton defender where the ball made its way across their goal to a waiting unmarked Isaac for the deciding 5th goal. The boys then allowed a 4th Wootton goal as the last kick of the game, making it a 5-4 win and the bus heading onto the next round of the cup competition.

Another brilliant performance by the boys. Quality in possession and plenty of discipline in defence, although a little gung-ho at times, and always deadly in the final third.

Players of the week today went firstly to Shay Saxby, who in his first full game at centre back showed defensive discipline, awareness of danger and a huge threat from corners with his heading ability. Second player today went to Anthony who quietly went about his work, was given a job to do and did it by covering every single blade of fake grass when asked. I could’ve given these awards to the guys that scored the goals, or to any of the boys today, but these two really impressed me with some exceptional work doing the unfashionable things needed to win matches.

So, onwards to the next round, which I think is the Semi-final. No idea who we get to play, but bring it on!

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

18/01/2026

Match Report

Ampthill Aces 8-2 Sacred Heart Hatters

Wow!! That’s all I can say really. What a performance from the boys.

Today was a match against a team, who last season gave us a headache both home and away, beating us both times by a few goals. But this was not the same team that faced us last season, and the boys have improved greatly within the last year too…and it really showed.

The boys went straight out with intent, Ryan immediately putting their defence under pressure and allowing us a foothold in the game, and it wasn’t long before our pressure and running told. Max Harrison on his debut made real nuisance of himself, causing all sorts of havoc where a mistake led to the ball breaking to Ryan who calmly slotted it home. A second from Ryan soon followed to double our lead, which was quickly followed up by a goal of the season contender. Some lovely build up play led to the ball breaking to Will in midfield. With a world of space in front of him and the defence backing off, Will picked his head up, saw the keeper off his line and unleashed a 40 yard rocket which nestled in the net. Then the boys took their foot off the pedal a little and let Sacred heart back in with a smart finish from the edge of our box. Almost immediately, the boys went up the other end and restored our three goal advantage with Max Harrison getting on the scoresheet on his debut. Sacred Heart didn’t stop though, and some disappointing tackling led to them getting a second making it 4-2. However throughout the rest of the half, the boys went on a tear with Max Harrison grabbing another two goals for a first half hat trick, something that his all round play deserved.

6-2 at half time, and I let the boys know that the job was not done and that they would come out wanting to put the wrongs of the first half right. But the boys became strong compact, didn’t let them play in our half and continued to play our own game. Some more clever build up play soon led to a 7th with Will calmly slotting a side foot finish into the corner of the goal, an ice cold finish. Then a mazy run from Ryan led to his finish smashing the post and rebounding off of a Sacred Heart defender into his own net for our 8th. Aside from giving away a couple of silly free kicks and a penalty, all of which Sacred Heart missed, the boys were absolutely solid, compact and tough to beat today, and they were also a constant threat going forward. A really complete almost 5 star performance.

No onto players of the week. Firstly, debuts don’t come much better than this. Constant work, an absolute menace for defenders and a hat trick to boot. Round of applause for Max Harrison. I couldn’t pick between these next two players, so today I picked them both. Second player went to someone who epitomises this team. His work rate, his teamwork, his attitude which today along with his distribution and courage after getting clattered summed everything up. Well done Finn. The third player today went to someone who played in two different positions today. In both positions he was calm on the ball, dealt with things when they needed it, but then he was playing with his head up, picking passes to set up attacks and gassed himself out with his running today. Well done to Rossi. There were even more outstanding performances today giving me a really nice selection headache moving forward.

Well done today boys. We put some ghosts of last season and also those of last week well and truly to rest. An outstanding performance. Now onto an away match at Bedford next week. No let up in intensity and play. Let’s go again.

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

11/01/2026

Match report

ATFC 0-5 Ashwell Academicals

Our first game back after the Christmas break, and we’d been dealt a tough first match back, and we weren’t wrong.

We always knew that this would be a big ask today, and we were left under no illusion. Ashwell started out on the front foot putting us under immediate pressure, pushing us back towards our goal and making it difficult to get out. However, the boys stood firm, and even had some success driving forward with Ryan and Charlie doing their best to get in behind their back line, and both looking a threat when they did. For half an hour the boys were more than a match for the top of the table, unbeaten side. But after 30 minutes they took the lead with a well worked goal. As we’ve seen before, once behind, the boys seem to go into their shells and consequently a couple of easily avoidable errors led to another two goals.

The boys came in at half time deflated, but we tried to rally them, playing downhill in the second half trying to put them under pressure, with some success. Then, a hammer blow for us, probably our brightest spark in the first half Charlie, was unceremoniously taken out with a body check where the defenders shoulder caught him straight in the face resulting in Charlie being forced to leave the field with a suspected broken nose. This was a real blow, and Ashwell took full advantage. They scored a fourth, and even though the boys kept battling, trying to find a way through, we had no joy today. A fifth just before the final whistle flattered them somewhat, something which the boys didn’t really deserve today.

Let me firstly say that while the boys made some fundamental errors today, they showed heart and character to keep battling against a really strong side.

Players of the week today firstly went to Ryan for his endeavour down the left flank, always trying to find a way into their defence. Second one went to Cookie, without who today’s scoreline would’ve been a lot higher. A special player of the week this week goes to Charlie Duffy. Charlie looked a real threat today, and was removed from the game through no fault of his own. Get better and back at your own pace mate. All our wishes go to you bud. I know you must be sore and swollen right now, but you’re a warrior Charlie and we know you’ll be back as soon as you can be.

Lots of hard work to be done Aces, and it starts tomorrow night at training. Get ready to work hard lads. Let’s get back to winning ways.

Onwards and upwards
COYA
Rob

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Abbey Lane
Ampthill
MK452SA

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