1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | 15, 85m | |
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | ||
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 12, 66m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 11, 66m | |
14 | ||
15 | 5, 85m | |
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
Corner kicks proved to be Aylesbury's undoing, as they conceded from two near identical set plays in quick succession, and from then on were always going to struggle to break down Phil Mason's well organised Woodford side.
Aylesbury started the stronger of the two teams, Enzo Silvestri latched on to Leon Gutzmore's knockdown in the fourth minute, but his effort was straightforward for Matt Finlay to hold.
Two minutes later a ball in from Daniel Mead was only cleared as far as Matt Butler, in for Nando Perna in midfield, but his effort was well wide of the target.
In the thirteenth minute the Ducks mounted a swift counter-attack, which resulted in Gutzmore dribbling into the area, but when faced with goal he was caught in two minds, and played a cross-cum-shot which went high and wide.
Aylesbury couldn't keep their momentum going, and Woodford began to see some of the play for the first time. Former Aylesbury Vale man Glenn Rawlings chased down a lost cause to win the ball, and had a shot saved by Tom Vincent on his post. Then the dangerous Nicky Gordon flicked the ball up and shot over the bar.
In the 26th minute Woodford were close to scoring, when a goalmouth scramble resulted in three players taking a shot at goal, before the ball was cleared for a corner.
The home side took the lead from the corner when a player was left unattended at the far post and he headed back across goal for Ben Milner to direct the ball in. 1-0 Woodford
The Ducks should have learnt their lesson, but just 7 minutes later Woodford were at it again, as an almost identical corner kick was headed in, this time by Josh Green, amongst some dreadful marking from the Greens. 2-0 Woodford
A two-goal deficit was depressing viewing for the travelling fans, especially after a positive start by their team, but the Ducks were now struggling for any sort of possession, their only chance being a 25-yard Kevin Mealor free-kick which was always going wide.
Then came a moment which changed the way the game was going. An off-target cross from Gary Schillachi seemed to have been wasted, but keeper Finlay made a real mess of things by punching the ball down to Gutzmore in the box, and the striker made no mistake from 10-yards. 2-1 Woodford
The goal marked an upturn in United's fortunes; as they went on to dominate the remaining five minutes of the half. Gutzmore went close again by closing down a clearance which looped up just over the crossbar.
Further chances came the Green's way ? Silvestri laid the ball back to Mead, who tried his luck from 20-yards, but his shot went over the bar. Richard Pringle then fired over with a half-volley on the end of a good Aylesbury move.
Right on half-time a Mead free-kick caused havoc in the area, before the ball eventually dropped to Kilmartin. His snap-shot was well saved and turned behind for a corner.
Half-time: Woodford 2-1 Aylesbury
Aylesbury wouldn't have wanted the half-time break, as their dominance prior to the whistle seemed likely to produce an equaliser. Predictably, the Ducks just didn't perform in the second period and as an attacking force were non-existent for most of the half.
Instead, it was Woodford who began the second half well, and created the chances. Gordon used his pace to run clear of United's backline, but his low effort across goal was well stopped by Vincent.
Four minutes later Josh Green volleyed wide from another Woodford corner; again Aylesbury's defending was more than questionable.
Jon Franklin tried to change the game by introducing the attack-oriented Nando Perna and Aston Goss, for Butler and Mead respectively, but neither saw enough of the ball to have a significant impact.
Entering the last ten minutes the Ducks were growing more desperate, but in the 80th minute they finally had a chance to speak of when Danny Brown headed a free-kick wide at the far post.
Woodford could have scored another, from a corner kick once again, when a player was left unmarked for a free header.
A minute later Gordon broke free of the defence, rounded Vincent, but seemed to have taken the ball too wide. He went for goal anyway, and the ball had to be cleared off the line.
Aylesbury almost scored from another misplaced cross, this time Smyth's ball in had to be tipped over by Finlay. From the resulting corner Brown planted a towering header over the bar.
Youth team midfielder Daniel Jones came on with less than five minutes remaining, as the Ducks threw caution to the wind and left three defenders on the pitch.
Brown went close again in the closing stages when he volleyed an excellent Perna free-kick delivery over the bar. Then in the dying moments Gutzmore had a decent chance, after Pringle re-adjusted well to flick the ball onto him, but he couldn't generate any power in his shot.
After another disappointing defeat Aylesbury now go into Saturday's difficult FA Trophy match at Billericay Town in desperate need of something to lift their season.