Aspire Frustrated But Motivated By Gameweek Three

Aspire returned to the Lee Westwood Sports Centre in Nottingham this weekend for the third gameweek of the 2025/26 Slater & Gordon Premiership.

Two wins were bookended by two draws, as Aspire faced some frustrating fixtures. The manner of the two draws couldn't be more different, though.

After a dramatic weekend, Aspire remain firmly in the title hunt, just one point from the summit with nine games remaining.

Aspire 0-0 Middlesbrough Aspire started the weekend in difficult fashion. They were playing against a team with great defenders, who had clearly prepared intensely to thwart their passing game.

With their space in wide areas restricted, Aspire found it incredibly difficult to create an opening in the game.

Despite complete territorial dominance, Aspire could not find a way through the 'Boro rear-guard. Goalkeeper James Found deserves a mention for a sensational performance between the posts.

The closest Aspire got to a goal was from a set play in the second half, where Jon Bolding converted from a Mclellan cross, only for the goal to be ruled out for a two-on-one.

Aspire 1-0 Newcastle

Sometimes in football, it feels like it's just not your day, and after Jon Bolding failed two speed tests, ruling him out of the first half of a crucial clash with Newcastle, it left many at Aspire looking to the heavens and asking 'why?'.

Without their captain, Aspire had to change the gameplan just before kick-off, and so used Dan Mclellan in the centre.

To their immense credit, Aspire still dominated the first half, with Mclellan pulling the strings and John Dickson looking red hot.

The game was a deadlock at the interval though, and Aspire needed something to give them a lift. Enter the England Captain.

With their skipper back on the pitch, Aspire played like an unchained animal in the second half, laying siege to the Newcastle goal at blistering intensity.

On 27 minutes, John Dickson cross into the box was met by the front bumper of Bolding. His effort was saved, but the defenders could do nothing about the rebound, and Aspire took the lead.

It could have been more, but for some great last-ditch defending from the Toon. Aspire saw out the result and got back to winning ways.

Aspire 6-0 GBG Knights

Following a tricky Saturday, Aspire used the GBG Knights game to blow off some steam and get back on track.

They started fast, with Dan Mclellan converting following a sweeping team move within four minutes.

Dickson then scored twice in quick succession. His first was a back post finish following a ball across from Mclellan, while his second was a fantastic finish, through a tiny gap in the GBG Knights defence.

Aspire used a different wing partnership in the second half, with Rich George and Jordan Williams on either side, however the football remained just as free-flowing.

Each winger scored, assisted by the other. First Rich George played a perfect front-bumper pass across which was tucked away by Williams.

Williams returned the favour, setting up George for a swept finish into the bottom corner.

The final goal of the game was the pick of the bunch, John Dickson's powerful ball in was smashed home by the onrushing Dan Mclellan for his second of the game.

Overall, it was a very productive morning, with every member of the Aspire squad performing brilliantly.

Aspire 1-1 Leeds

Aspire's final game of the weekend was against league leaders, Leeds. This was a fixture hotly anticipated by much of the powerchair footballing community.

Other than a short spell towards the end of the first half, Aspire were utterly dominant. They made it so that Leeds, a side renowned for expansive football, couldn't get out of their own half.

Aspire played fantastically, with Mclellan and Bolding winning an innumerable amount of duels.

They thought they'd got the lead in the first half, but John Dickson's goal was disallowed for a perceived contact foul. On review, it looked as if the contact took place predominantly between the two Leeds players, and definitely after the ball had crossed the line.

Following a massive let-off in the first half, Leeds did concede late into the game. Aspire scored from a set piece on the edge of the area, Mclellan deftly flicking in Jon Bolding's delivery.

Unfortunately for Aspire, the joy of going ahead was short-lived. On a rare foray forward, Leeds struck back with an equaliser, Fisher scoring from range.

Overall, Aspire will look back at the game as the one that got away. However, if they can perform like that on a consistent basis, then who knows what this season may hold.

Aspire are back in National League action on the 28/29th March, although travel to Villa Rockets in the WFA Cup before that (14th March).