Aylesbury United registered their first home win of the season at the second attempt by beating one of the bigger clubs in Southern Premier, King's Lynn by a solitary goal in front of 307 spectators at Buckingham Road, and with it continued their unbeaten start to the season following gutsy away performances at Cheshunt and Mangotsfield.
United went into the game minus the injured Roni Joe who picked up what looked like a hamstring injury at Mangotsfield, Liam Dolman was also not included, apparently being used by Northampton for the reserve game due to take place at the stadium the following day, Greg Williams taking the right back spot. Jamie Kearns returned to the midfield berth where he had played throughout pre season and in the opening game. Danny Nicholls handed a debut to Scott McCafferty at left back, pushing Danny Mead forward into a left sided midfield role with Paul Edgeworth having to settle for a place on the substitute?s bench.
It was the visitors who began the brightest and really should have gone into the lead as early as the 5th minute, as Bloomfield found himself one on one with Rashid in the Aylesbury goal. However the ever reliable keeper was able to force the striker wide, and although Bloomfield was able to get his shot away, it was a weak one, allowing McCafferty to come to the rescue with a goal line clearance.
Both sides attempted to play some good passing football and good defensive work from both sides kept chances to a minimum. The unfortunate Jamie Kearns limped away from proceedings as early as the 20th minute with what is hoped is not a serious injury, to be replaced by Paul Edgeworth.
It was Edgeworth who had Aylesbury?s first real chance of the half on 25 minutes, as the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty area, his shot not testing Higgs in The Linnets goal as it went wide of the upright. One chance became two as just a minute later Darren Hay got his head to a crossfield ball but directed the ball straight into the hands of the grateful Higgs. Edgeworth was in the thick of the action again after 31 minutes, getting himself in a dangerous position in the opposition penalty area but again could not find a finish.
King's Lynn sought to remind their hosts of their potential on 37 minutes; a good driving run into the Aylesbury area followed by shot from West brought a save out of Rashid. The half ended with Darran Hay picking up what would be the only yellow card of the match for informing referee Mr. Sheldrake that he didn?t feel he was performing particularly well.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 King's Lynn
The second half began in much the same way as the first had developed, in an even fashion. On 55 minutes Darran Hay did tremendously well on the right hand side of the field before forcing his way into the area, his low cross was well cleared by the Lynn defence however.
Aylesbury forced a breakthrough on 59 minutes; the ball was gifted to Danny Mead by Dean West?s misplaced pass 25 yards from goal and the diminutive wide man surged into the box before unselfishly squaring the ball to Drew Roberts who showed great composure to neatly tuck the ball home underneath the sprawling Higgs into the bottom left hand corner of the net. 1-0 Aylesbury
The remainder of the game continued to be a tight affair, on 76 minutes Darran Hay managed to head wide from inside the six yard box, a chance that a player of his experience will know that he should have scored from. Kings Lynn enjoyed a good spell of possession but staunch rearguard action from The Ducks snuffed out any real clear cut chances for The Linnets, a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area in the closing stages which finished by going comfortably wide of the left hand upright the nearest that the visitors came.
After what seemed like an age of added time, the final whistle went and the Aylesbury players could celebrate the win with their jubilant supporters. An excellent start to the season for the men in green on a night when the win was built on a solid defensive performance, Liam Folds deservedly being presented with the man of the match award on a night when his central defensive partner Hayward also excelled, complimented by a vintage display from Greg Williams at right back and finally special mention to debutant Scott McCafferty who put in an excellent, disciplined performance at left back.
In all, this was a good overall team performance from The Ducks, the effort put in alone deserving of the 3 points. Danny Nicholls and his players will go into Saturday?s home match with Yate Town full of confidence, with the supporters also feeling that the unbeaten start to the season can continue.
Ian Lowe
