United For Aylesbury Day was turned sour by Chesham United grabbing their first derby win in five years, scraping a 1-0 victory and their first 3 points since October.
All of Aylesbury's good work of the previous three league matches, which had seen them rack up five points, seemed to disintegrate in a performance which was frankly abysmal.
The team lacked passion from the start, and the belief they showed in beating Banbury just didn't exist. In what is usually the fieriest game in the Ducks' fixture calendar, not one player was booked, something which tells its own story.
It was the home side who had the first chance, Powles heading goalwards, but two follow-up shots inside the area were well blocked by Chesham. Ten minutes later Leon Gutzmore unleashed a half-volley which zipped just over the bar.
Chesham's Michael Harvey was a constant menace throughout the game with his pace causing the Aylesbury defence all kinds of problems. He nearly made the Ducks pay when he raced onto a long-ball, outpaced Dean Powles, but when faced with Reece Kirk could only shoot wide.
The only goal of the game came just before the interval. Chesham's captain, defender Nathan Bowden-Haase, rose to superbly overhead kick the ball into the back of the net inside the area. 1-0 Chesham
Time remained before the break for Matt Miller to have a shot deflected wide, and Dean Powles to hit a free-kick straight at the goalkeeper.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Chesham
Aylesbury fans had little to shout about after the interval, although the Ducks went close early on in the half. A low cross found Kieron Deane, and his shot was palmed away by Alex Lawler, but Aston Goss could only direct the follow-up wide.
The home side looked to increase their attacking options by throwing on forwards Richard Pringle, and manager Neil Trebble, but in doing so their play was becoming more and more desperate.
Chesham were able to exploit the gaps Aylesbury were leaving at the back, and with better finishing could have increased the margin further. Matt Miller fired wide on the turn, and Chris Sullivan also wasted a good chance to score.
Aylesbury did have a couple more good chances to net though, notably a Gutzmore header which went over the bar, after Gould had headed a free-kick on. Deane then called upon Lawler to make a great save with his feet to deny the striker's diving header, on the end of Nick Jackson's superb cross.
But as the game came to a close it was only Chesham who seemed capable of scoring. Harvey blazed a shot well over the bar, substitute Robin Pleadon had a shot saved by Kirk, and John Bacon headed over as the Generals just couldn't convert.
With the Aylesbury faithful seeing more to get frustrated than excited about, things came to a head as angry words were exchanged between fans and the home bench late in the second half.
Chesham were able to comfortably hold on for their win, and the points, and leave the Ducks seemingly back to square one.
