Its been a busy pre-season for Ajax with pre-season starting in early July with the aim to have Coach Cooper's chargers firing on all cylinders come the first game of the season at Shenley Hawks on 7th September.

Squad wise, it was a case of 2 in, 2 out for the Linslade team. We said goodbye to ‘Ajax Original’ Dylan Ball (Played 64, Goals 14) as his family moved to Cambridgeshire and also to Jack Higgs who went off to pursue a career in darts, representing Milton Keynes (good luck!!). This left two big voids to fill as Messrs Cooper, Wilson and Hoskins hit the transfer market. First to sign as a free agent was Owen Latto. Having impressed as a trialist in a late season friendly, it was a no-brainer to add him to the squad. For the second signing though, the recruitment team needed something different! Namely GOALS!! Enter, stage left, Mr Leon McFarlane. Although an experienced goalkeeper, Leon had never competitively played outfield. After a couple of training sessions it was clear there was something special about the lad and Cooper signed him on a 1 year deal.

This gave Ajax a squad of 15 (16 once Noah Camadoo’s contract negotiations have been rectified). nb. He should be available for our cup game in 21/09.

Although training was going well, the availability for a pre-season friendly wasn’t as Ajax (due to summer holidays) could not muster 11 players for any of the (semi-arranged) three friendlies. This meant the team would go into the first game of the season without any match practice!!

Match Day 1 – 07/09/2024 – Away at Shenley Hawks

Shenley Hawks U15 1 – 6 Linslade Galaxy U15 Ajax

After a jittery start and going 1-0 down in an early, 9am away kick off at Shenley, Ajax showed their class. Leon McFarlane on debut notching 4 goals before coming off to a standing ovation. Towering centre defender William Smith scored is first goal since striking at Olney Colts, way back on 26th November 2022! The other scorer was Luke Wilson, scoring his first goal since his brace against Leighton Corinthians on 14th January 2023.

Gartec Players of the Match: Leon McFarlane (what a debut) and Benaiah Mandiopera

League position 1st - P1 W1 D0 L0 GS 6 GA 1 Pts 3

Match Day 2 – 11/09/2024 – Home to Wing Raiders

Linslade Galaxy U15 Ajax 3 – 1 Wing Raiders U15

On paper, a much tougher test against a team that dominated Ajax in last seasons games between the sides (1-0 win for Ajax at Home, 4-0 defeat for Ajax away). With local bragging rights at state, seemingly every year 10 in Leighton Buzzard attended the midweek fixture and the bumper crowd were treated to the best Linslade Galaxy performance in some time! A brace from Leon McFarlane in the first half was followed by a sumptuous chipped goal my Finn McGilloway in the second half. Kudos to the back four and Ethan in goal as their miserly defending ensured Ajax kept their first competitive clean sheet since the 1-0 home win against Shenley Mustangs on 9th December 2023

Gartec Player of the Match: Ethan Luck

League Position 1st – P2 W2 D0 L0 GS 9 GA 1 Pts 6

Match Day 3 – 14/09 / 2024 – Home to Woburn and Wavendon U15 Hurricanes

Linslade Galaxy U15 Ajax 3 – 1 Woburn and Wavendon U15 Hurricanes

With stalwart defender William Smith dropping out of the squad at the last minute due to illness, Seb Barnett dropped in alongside Thomas Lankshear in the heart of the defence in an unplanned change. George Stamp came in at left back and had a fantastic game. Woburn, to their credit outworked Ajax in the midfield in the first half as justly took the lead with a good header from a corner after 25 minutes. A lethargic Ajax equalized just before half time with Leon McFarlane scoring his 7th goal of the campaign. In the second half, Galaxy upped their work rate and really started to dominate with Leon McFarlane adding his second goal to give the Linslade side a well deserved lead. His hattrick was completed in rather comical fashion as an attempted clearance hit him on the derriere, 8 yards from goal and squirmed across the line.

Gartec Player of the Match: George Stamp

League Position 1st – P3 W3 D0 L0 GS 12 GA 2 Pts 9

Player ratings so far (for all 3 games):

Ethan Luck – By his own admission, a little ropey in the first game but has pulled his form (and concentration) back with 2 outstanding performance 9/10

Seb Barnett – 3 great games, playing in all three roles across the back four 9/10

George Stamp – Slow to get started after missing a lot of pre-season but is showing great form now. Ajax’s own Alfie Doughty!! 9/10

Benaiah Mandiopera – The heartbeat of the midfield, full of energy and aggression 10/10

Thomas Lankshear – The lynchpin of the back 4, in total control at all times 9/10

William Smith – Has formed a formidable partnership with Thomas at centre half. Right place to score from a corner at Shenley. Was missed against Woburn 9/10

Harry Tozer – Cultured, assured on the ball and maturing all the time. Great stint at RB when Owen L had to come off injured against Woburn 9/10

Owen Barrett – Another midfielder enjoying the extra space on the full size pitch. Terrific passer! 9/10

Matthew Hoskins – Our Captain! Playing in an old fashioned ’inside left’ position has relished the challenge and is linking well we the rest of our attackers 9/10

Finn McGilloway – Silky skills and is starting the release the ball at the right time. Fantastic finish against Wing 9/10

Luke Wilson – Bulldozing pace and power from our right winger and vice-Captain. Works himself into the ground. 9/10

Michael Caulfield – Diminutive in stature, massive in heart and effort. Never stops running for the team 9/10

Lewis Waite – Rapid Lewis is getting better, week on week and is a constant danger on the wing 9/10

Owen Latto – Found himself at right back in the second half at Shenley and now looks like he has played there his whole lift. Tremendous start! 9/10

Leon McFarlane – Pace, power, goals, goals, goals and goals! 9 goals in his first 3 outfield matches says it all 10/10

Next up for the rampant Ajax is a cup game at home to Tattenhoe Greens in the MKDDL Shield, Round 1