Aylesbury kicked off their Southern League Division One Midlands season with a 2-2 'home' draw against Cinderford Town, in a match played at Leighton Town's Bell Close.
Roni Joe went close from a corner-kick early on, before the same player gave the Ducks a dream start, scoring after just 8 minutes. New keeper Tom Vincent's long-kick was knocked down by Richard Pringle, and Joe hit a sublime 25-yard lob over Cinderford's stranded goalkeeper Lewis Skiers. 1-0 Aylesbury
United kept up their good early work, and could have doubled their advantage firstly through Pringle who saw a header held. Then, on the back of a fine attacking move, Joe had a shot well saved on the line by Skiers.
Midway through the opening half though the visitors started to get a foothold in the game, and began fashioning chances of their own. Player/manager Chris Burns hit a weak effort wide of the target, and five minutes later Will Steadman drilled in a shot which was turned wide by Daryl Addis in front goal.
Luke Buttery had a long-range effort excellently tipped over by Vincent, then the same player fired wide. Cinderford could easily have levelled the game, had it not been for their wasteful finishing.
Instead, Aylesbury created another good opening when Roni Joe dribbled through. As Town looked to clear their lines a scramble ensued and Pringle had the best effort which was blocked in the area.
Following a booking to Enzo Silvestri for dissent, the away side ended the first half with a free-kick, which was blazed well over by Matt Williams.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Cinderford
Aylesbury started the second half on top, Murphy delivering a pinpoint ball which somehow neither Joe or Pringle could guide into the net from 2-yards out, and Silvestri volleyed wide minutes later, but it wasn't to last as a more determined Cinderford emerged after the interval.
On the hour mark a corner kick fell to Burns, who struck a powerful shot which needed a good block from Nando Perna to stop it. Another good chance followed as the ball ran through to Jamie Hammond, but he fired over from a promising position.
Cinderford deservedly equalised after 67 minutes, Richard Kear left completely unmarked to head home a cross from the left-wing. 1-1
Aylesbury attempted to step up their game, and it worked as they re-established their advantage 7 minutes later. A superb header downfield by substitute Ben Stevens was helped on by a Town defender, and Pringle nipped in to calmly slot home past Skiers. 2-1 Aylesbury
But Cinderford weren't done, and before United had finished celebrating they were pegged back to 2-2. A corner kick caused chaos in United's penalty area, and in the ensuing melee Burns popped up to fire home. 2-2
This time though, Aylesbury were unable to raise their game again, and although they worked hard in trying to force a winner in the closing quarter, a draw seemed the most likely result.
One neat move in the closing stages saw the ball passed around, before Pringle fired wide from the edge of the area. Pringle had the only other remaining chance too, shooting well wide after a corner kick dropped to him.
In the end both sides' new managers had to settle for a point, but there may be an element of frustration as had either team taken the chances on offer then they could have secured all three on the opening day.
