The small number of fans who had turned up to see the "Don't Miss It Match!" could hardly have predicted what was to happen tonight. After a drab first half, two goals of real class from the Ducks were enough to take them to the 4th Round of the Bryco Cup. And the reward for the result? A trip to Grays...
The game started in the worst possible way for the Ducks, as Sutton took a 6th minute lead. Some very poor defending allowed Mark Watson in to finish from close range. 1-0 Sutton
Sutton were creating many chances, as the Ducks backline failed to take control. A free-kick allowed Sutton to head wide at the near post, and Nick Bailey hit a shot wide. However, the Ducks managed to turn things round and start creating their own opportunities. Craig Maskell teed up Fiston Manuella on the edge of the box, and his powerful shot just missed the goal.
Some nice work by debutant Paul Thornton (on loan from Chelsea) freed Craig Maskell, and his shot was deflected just wide. Greg Williams hit a venomous drive which just missed the top corner. At the other end moor slack defending allowed Akuamoah in, but his effort was well cleared by Thornton.
Danny Gordon survived a strong penalty claim, as he made a desperate tackle from behind. Joe Baker was then taken out at full pace, which should have earned the hapless Matt Gray a booking. Baker picked himself up and drove the free-kick straight at the keeper.
Aylesbury's equaliser came from another free-kick, and another indiscresion by Matt Gray. A high flighted free-kick was met by a towering back post header from Fist, which somehow crept in from a seemingly impossible angle. 1-1
Half-time: 1-1
From the restart it was the Ducks who looked more capable of going on to win the game. Joe Baker found himself clean through after a long ball over the top dropped over the Sutton defence. Unfortunately he couldn't make a clean contact as the ball came over his shoulder, and his volley cleared the stand. Fist's aerial presence was proving to be valuable for the Ducks, as he met another corner, but headed wide.
Aylesbury took a deserved lead from a quality move. Some excellent passing in the midfield saw the ball played out wide into the corner for Baker to chase. He caught up with it, and delayed his cross until Kezie Ibe was in position to score with a diving header. Excellent stuff. 2-1 Aylesbury
However, the best was yet to come, as Buckingham Road witnessed yet another Craig Maskell wonder goal. A long, hanging ball again had the Sutton defence caught out as it dropped over their heads. Maskell latched onto it, took one touch to control, and another to lob the keeper. Absolute class from a classy player! 3-1 and the game was safe for the Ducks. 3-1 Aylesbury
Sutton were well out of the game for the entire second half, but they popped up in the dying seconds to get a late consolation, and grab a more flattering scoreline. Somehow Nick Bailey found himself alone in the box to send the ball home. 3-2 Aylesbury
