1 | ||
2 | 16, 69m | |
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | 12, 85m | |
8 | ||
9 | ||
10 | 15, 75m | |
11 | ||
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 7, 85m | |
14 | ||
15 | 10, 75m | |
16 | 2, 69m | |
17 | ||
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | 14, 80m | |
8 | ||
9 | 15, 80m | |
10 | ||
11 | 12, 70m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 11, 70m | |
14 | 7, 80m | |
15 | 9, 80m | |
17 | ||
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
With match winner from the last meeting James Faulkner suspended, Nathan Graham was recalled to the starting line-up. There was also a place for returning playmaker Mark Jones, who replaced Danny Nicholls in the line-up after rejoining from Oxford City.
The direction of the game was largely dictated by the strong wind, Rushall having the better of things with the wind behind them in the first half; Aylesbury similarly so after the break.
Rushall's Elliott Durrell had the first effort after five minutes, but he mis-hit his shot and Vincent easily held the ball.
A snapshot from Craig Marshall followed five minutes later, before Vincent was called into more serious action when a long wind-aided ball bounced up and nearly over his head, but for a smart piece of goalkeeping to scramble the ball away. A Rushall forward was on hand to follow-up, but unbelievably only found the side-netting.
The home side were dominating the early stages as Dave Haywood hit a free-kick straight at Vincent. He was soon at it again when latching onto Mealor's clearance, but shot high into the side netting.
Aylesbury's first chance came from a free-kick which Jones hit into the wall. Ben Stevens collected the rebound but slashed his shot badly wide.
Normal service was soon resumed though, and Nick Leach made a mess of dealing with another lofted ball allowing Junior Brown in to face Vincent, the stopper coming up trumps with a superb point blank save.
The Ducks came as close as ever to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Henney played in Feely who shimmied to beat his man before striking a shot against the outside of the post.
In first half stoppage time Marshall lifted a shot over the bar, and United got to the interval somewhat relieved to have their clean sheet still intact.
Half-time: Rushall 0-0 Aylesbury
With the wind now in their favour, Aylesbury had to make their advantage count, and although they had most of the chances, Breedon was never seriously tested.
With the Pics on the backfoot, Graham shot across goal ten minutes from the restart. This was a good spell of pressure from the visitors, a number of dangerous crosses being played into the box, one of which even hit the post from Kevin Mealor.
By midway through the half the home fans were becoming frustrated with their sides' inability to string two passes together, as time and time again they could only find a green shirt, allowing Aylesbury to put the pressure back on.
Sadly United couldn't make best use of the chances on offer though. Mealor came forward and chose to shoot when he might have been better playing in a colleague.
A poor defensive header then fell to Graham, who seems to be lacking the confidence in front of goal from earlier in the season, and his shot lacked the power or direction to beat Breedon.
To their credit Aylesbury kept up the heat right until the final whistle, but it just wasn't enough as they too often seemed scared to have a shot.
An effort from substitute Nathan Liburd struck Niki Preston in the area, as Rushall defended resolutely. They even had a rare second half effort of their own, as Lee Gough was played in but shot all the way across goal.
Ross Taylor, playing as makeshift striker for the last ten minutes, had the last shot of the game when he went for goal, but it was blocked by a Rushall defender.
Ultimately a point was the right result, but not what Aylesbury would have wanted with tougher games on the horizon as the playoff race continues to heat up.
Rushall Olympic
Aylesbury United
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