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9 | 16, 45m | |
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11 | 12, 45m | |
BENCH | ||
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12 | 11, 45m | |
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16 | 9, 45m | |
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MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
The Ducks did however stop the rot of four successive defeats, but at 2-0 with twenty minutes remaining this really should have been a long overdue win for the home side.
Two debutants took to the field for United - centre-back Nathan Liburd signed from Kettering, and right-winger Shayne Garricks, who has recently spent time with Swindon Town. Luke Melisi also made his full debut.
The match was keenly contested throughout, and was a good spectacle for the Bell Close crowd of 142. Nando Perna had the first chance just three minutes in when he hustled his man off the ball before firing an early shot which was straight at Nathan Vaughan.
Evesham then had an effort through midfielder Steve Lutz, who struck a fierce shot over the crossbar.
Aylesbury started to apply the pressure, and went close from an expertly delivered Perna corner which was headed off the bar, before a couple of follow-up efforts were dealt with by the visitors.
The deserved lead came after 21 minutes through man of the match Richard Pringle. A left-wing cross picked out the striker, who took one touch to flick the ball up, and with his second rifled a volley into the back of the net for a superb goal. 1-0 Aylesbury
Sadly, Aylesbury couldn't build on their lead before the interval, as Evesham looked to hit back and put the Ducks under some sustained pressure before the break.
The closest they came was through defender Steve Luckett, whose header from a free-kick shaved the post. A minute later Dominic Reece got forward from full-back to shoot from distance after a corner fell to him, but his effort was comfortably held by Vincent.
Before the interval Reece fancied his chances from a 25-yard free-kick, but fired well over the bar. On a rare occasion when he wasn't caught offside, Dean Curtis then fired over from a good position right on half-time.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Evesham
Aylesbury had the lead they craved, the first time they were in front at half-time since the 26th August, but from the restart Evesham showed their intentions, as they saw the majority of posession but were unable to fashion any real chances during that time.
The Robins made three attacking substitutions, which helped their cause, but it was the introduction of Aylesbury's nemesis Richard Ball (Ball had hit braces in both previous clashes between the sides) which was to later prove crucial.
Aylesbury then made a change of their own, introducing Liam Smyth for Garricks, and the move seemed to bring momentum back to the Ducks as five minutes later their lead was doubled.
A warning to Evesham came first though, Smyth breaking free down the right before playing an inviting ball into Pringle who sidefooted home unattended in the area. Unfortunately the goal was disallowed for offside.
But United did have a legitimate goal soon afterwards, Daniel Mead delivering a fine cross from the left to pick out Smyth, who got ahead of his man and directed an excellent header just inside the far post. 2-0 Aylesbury
At 2-0 there was a collective sigh of relief around the ground, as the match had seemingly been decided, but the game was far from over.
Aylesbury could have gone further ahead, after the produced the best move of the game. Smyth passed inside to Gutzmore, who in turn picked out Pringle, but his effort flashed just wide of the post.
That miss was to prove costly, as Evesham brought themselves back into the game just two minutes after the Green's goal. A swift counter attack resulted in Richard Ball being played clean through, and as Tom Vincent came charging out to meet him he easily rolled the ball home. 2-1 Aylesbury
That shouldn't have been a problem, but Aylesbury's defending was becoming increasingly nervous, and Evesham duly equalised three minutes later. As the home defence froze a shot fired in was saved by Vincent, but he couldn't get any distance as he pushed the ball away, and it dropped to Ball who still had a lot to do but finished expertly. 2-2
Joy had well and truly turned to despair for the Ducks, and a frantic final ten minutes ensued in which either side could have claimed a winner.
After Matt Butler slashed a poor effort wide, Luke Melisi, who flourished on his first start for the club, hit a rising drive which had to be smartly held by Vaughan.
With four minutes remaining, as at Barton the previous Tuesday, Leon Gutzmore had a great chance to net a late goal. A free-kick bobbled around before finding its way to the striker, but his flicked effort went aganisingly wide.
At the other end Evesham had a goal disallowed for offside, after another attack caused havoc in the area before being headed in at the far post. Again, collective sighs of relief.
But still Aylesbury had chances to win the match. Melisi went on an excellent run before passing to Smyth, but his goalbound effort was well blocked.
In the closing stages both Melisi and Smyth had runs with the ball into the box, but frustratingly failed to get their shot away in time before an Evesham player, right on full-time, hit a spectacular drive that had Vincent beaten all ends up, but fortunately flew just over the bar.
Disappointment ultimately for the Ducks, as at 2-0 this was a game that should have been over, but at least the run of defeats has been halted. United now go to Solihull Borough, a team they have a 100% record against.