With Winter drawing nearer, we have well and truly reached the half way point of the season. Today was the first of our 'return' matches, and the opportunity to build on last weeks vital win over Heybridge. The opposition would be no pushovers though, after coming off a 6 match winning run.

The match started scrappily with neither side really getting hold of the ball. Indeed the first real shot on goal took 11 minutes in coming, as Basingstoke's roly-poly Kevin Gibbens drilled a shot that was rising well over the bar. This effort seemed to boost the visitors, and the dangerous Craig McAllister connected with a full on volley soon after, which dipped just over the bar. The Ducks seemed to be hanging on, but were still playing some nice football at times.

The game swung after 25 minutes though, as the Ducks created their first opening. A Maskell cross directed to the far post, and Joe Baker did well to get his head on it. Unfortunately it was too near the keeper, and Scott Tarr managed to get enough on it to prevent a goal. The Ducks now took the incentive, and went on the attack. Chris Bangura's presence in the box caused chaos in fron of the keeper, and it was a case of 'where's the ball' for a moment, before it was finally hoofed clear.

Another Maskell cross was well held by Tarr, before Basingstoke hit back with a couple of half chances of their own. A moment of madness followed, as Joe Baker half volleyed a low clearance perilously close to his own goal. It missed by a matter of inches, thankfully.

An Alex Stanley header from a Maskell free-kick brought the best out of Tarr, as he re-adjusted his position superbly, and tipped the ball over. The following corner was eventually headed over, in a Baggy classic 4-yard miss. Maskell himself had a shot 5 minutes before half-time, and Basingstoke again had Tarr to thank for a good stop.

Half-time: 0-0 - Started slowly before Basingstoke took the initiative. A remarkable turnaround saw United end the half well on top, and the visitors had Scott Tarr to thank for keeping them in the game.

In the second half both the supporters and players stepped things up a level. The Ducks pressed for an early goal, an immediate goal in fact. Joe Baker went on a run straight from the kick-off, and tried an audacious long range chip, which was always going over. A minute later and it was Baker again, this time with a cross, which was met at the near post by Maskell, whose flicked header went just wide.

The only booking of the game took place following Craig Maskell coming back on to the field after an injury before being instructed to by the referee. A technicality, but the rules are the rules.

All was forgotten though, as 5 minutes later the Ducks took the lead. And what a goal it was. Some nice play in the midfield area saw the ball given to Joe Baker, who got away down the right. He played a slide-rule pass right into the path of Maskell, who found himself one-on-one with Tarr. Maskell kept his head, and coolly finished to send the Ducks fans mad. 1-0 Aylesbury

The Ducks now went on search of a second, with Basingsoke looking shell shocked to say the least. A cross was plucked out of the air by Tarr, with Joe Baker waiting to nod it home. Soon after a hanging Maskell free-kick was headed just wide.

Basingstoke soon recovered and came looking for an equaliser. They almost got it after 63 minutes, as some nice link up play down the right resulted in the ball being squared into the box, before Craig McAllister smashed the ball goalwards. The ball almost broke the crossbar, before bouncing down, and being eventually cleared.

The visitors eventually did get an equaliser, but they had to do it the dirty way. McAllister subtly elbowed Danny Gordon to the ground, before the ball ran to a Stoke forward, who tucked the ball away.1-1

The game was now as open as ever, and in the closing stages either side could have won it. Roni Joe replaced Adam Campion in an effort to freshen up the Ducks attack, Gavin Tomlin came on to make his leage debut in place of Bangura.

A few half chances fell to both sides, but none were taken and it ended 1-1. The Ducks must be credited for their second half performance, which was nothing short of excellent. If we continue to play as we have for the last few weeks, there should be no problems.