Central Ajax V AFC Solihull (Division Two)

​Central Ajax were looking for a result yesterday to build on their encouraging 2-2 draw against Northfield Town a few weeks back. This was the club’s first home game of the season, and they are playing at the Home Guard club in Stratford Upon Avon while their clubhouse and changing rooms at Ajax Park are being developed.

There also in the quarter finals of the Les James Challenge cup for the second consecutive season and have a match lined up with defending champions Knowle at the Robins Nest.

AFC Solihull have started life in division two well following promotion from division three last season where they won the league and lost only four matches from 32 games. The visitors have played well in step seven so far and were comfortably in mid table going into this match with 11 points from nine matches to sit in 9th place.

They notably beat Hampton away from home earlier in the season which is a tough place to go.  

The facilities at the Home Guard club are good for the level and the clubhouse looked inviting and presentable. The pitch looked in good condition and the ground is well worth a visit while Central Ajax are there over the next eight weeks. Supporters can get the number 15 bus from Stratford Upon Avon and get off at the Dark Lane stop where it’s only a short walk to the ground.

The programme available was brilliant and included a history of both clubs. It was well put together and informative for supporters with an interest in division two football.

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Central Ajax included Sam Kirby starting in goal and Tom Dyke captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Ross Barnett playing up front and being supported by Shaye Eden and Ryan Palmer on the wings.

There were three changes from the team that drew with Northfield Town a fortnight ago with Aidan Foley coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Jack Keeling.

AFC Solihull’s starting line-up featured Shaune Allen starting in goal and Adrian Cooney captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Che O’Connor playing up front and being supported by Cherno Sey and Lewis Corkery down the wings.

There were four changes from the team that started against Coventry Alvis a few weeks ago with Abdo Said coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Dylan Daniels. 

First Half

The match got off to a lively start with both teams committing players forward in search of the opening goal. There was a good chance for AFC Solihull when MD Shimul found space in the box before firing wide in the 3rd minute.

Central Ajax took the lead inside the opening ten minutes thanks to a well worked free kick into the box. A brilliant delivery found Ed Caswell at the back post who headed the ball into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0.
Set pieces were a real strength for the hosts yesterday and the opening goal showcased that.

​AFC Solihull responded to the set back well and stuck to their attacking philosophy. The visitors were looking to build up the play and work balls into the box in search of the equaliser. MD Shimul was passing the ball around well and looked an attacking threat from attacking midfield.

Abdo Said made a good run into the box and had a deflected effort go into the top left corner to make it 1-1 in the 19th minute.

It was an even opening twenty minutes with both teams having good spells in front of goal and there was not much separating the two sides throughout the first half.

Dylan Daniels had a shot from the edge of the box that went narrowly wide of the right-hand post for AFC Solihull near the half hour mark.

Central Ajax made it 2-1 thanks to a good run into the box by Ross Barnett who finished well into the bottom right corner. It was a clinical finish from the striker who took his chance well to give the hosts the lead.  

Following the goal, the hosts changed to a back three and were playing in a 3-4-3 formation with Steve Ruck, Lewis Kuster and Tom Dyke playing in central defence. AFC Solihull were building some momentum up front and the change was made to nullify some of the attacking threat from the visitors.

Abdo Said got into the box and was fouled for a penalty near the end of the first half. He stepped up and took a composed penalty into the bottom left corner to make it 2-2.

There was a good chance for Central Ajax to retake the lead in the closing stages of the first half when Ross Barnett was free in the box following a free kick. He couldn’t quite get it on target, but it was a good move by the hosts.

Second Half

The second half was a bit cagier than the first in terms of chances in front of goal. Both sides were working hard off the ball and doing well to stop promising attacks in the final third.

Tom Dyke impressed for Central Ajax in this match. He was doing well to clear the danger and made some crucial blocks in the box.

Adrian Cooney was also playing well at the back for AFC Solihull. He was organising the defence and reading the game well to cut out dangerous attacks from Central Ajax.

There was an early chance for AFC Solihull when Che O’Connor couldn’t quite connect with a ball into the box and his header was comfortably saved by Sam Kirby.

Ross Barnett made a good run into the final third and played an inviting cross to the back post that found substitute Freddy Murphy who fired wide on the hour mark.

Central Ajax were pressing for the winner in the latter stages of the second half.

The visitors were mainly sitting back and playing on the counterattack in the closing stages which created a few notable chances in front of goal.

There was a good save by Sam Kirby to deny Che O’Connor who was through one on one following a quick counter attacking move by the visitors.

Substitute Jake Davis also cut inside for AFC Solihull from the left-hand side before having a shot go wide.

Central Ajax found a winner in the closing stages of the second half thanks to a moment of quality. Freddy Murphy found some space in the box before producing a brilliant strike into the top left corner that looped over Shaune Allen to make it 3-2.

They did well to see the match out in stoppage time for a huge three points which gives them some breathing space over the relegation zone.

Full Time

Central Ajax are at home to Northfield Town next Saturday before playing AFC Somers away in the Birmingham Saturday Vase the following weekend.

AFC Solihull will be looking to bounce back with a home game against Earlswood Town next Saturday before playing Continental Star away in the Birmingham Saturday Vase the following weekend.         

FT score: Central Ajax 3-2 AFC Solihull

Man of the match: Tom Dyke (Central Ajax)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League