1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | 16, 66m | |
8 | ||
9 | ||
10 | 14, 70m | |
11 | 12, 82m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 11, 82m | |
14 | 10, 70m | |
15 | ||
16 | 7, 66m | |
17 | ||
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | 16, 79m | |
8 | 15, 70m | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 17, 67m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | ||
14 | ||
15 | 8, 70m | |
16 | 7, 79m | |
17 | 11, 67m | |
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
Stourport are a much improved side compared with last season, and looked anything but a team that had lost 7-0 in their previous match. They made the Ducks work hard for their victory; right up until the final whistle when they spent long periods camped in the Aylesbury half.
In the glorious sunshine the game got off to a slow start. A decent free-kick from Stuart Maynard was well watched by Paul Evans, but it was the only noteworthy effort in the opening twenty minutes.
The game then sprang into life with chances for both sides; Justin Ballinger headed wide a free-kick for Stourport, then a great corner from Maynard flashed across the goal with no one able to get a decisive touch.
A great move by Aylesbury three minutes later released Sam Swonnell, and his fancy footwork brought space to deliver a telling cross which was met by a strong Aaron Flood shot, only Evans' save denying him a goal on his full debut.
Tom Vincent had to be just as alert moments later when Nick Leach inadvertently flicked a long throw towards his own goal, Vincent quickly pouncing on the ball.
Swonnell was heavily involved in most of Aylesbury's attacks, and he nearly opened the scoring himself when he collected Evans' poor clearance and lofted a shot towards the vacant goal, but the ball dropped wide of its target.
The visitors should have gone ahead on the half hour mark when Todd Perry was afforded a free header inside the area, but he headed James Fox's free kick over the bar.
What turned out to be the winner came courtesy of a scything challenge by Ballinger, who brought down Hawkins outside the area. He seemed to find the challenge amusing as he laughed with the referee whilst being cautioned, but the smile was soon wiped off his face when Maynard's precision delivery was headed home with a pinpoint header by Kavanagh. 1-0 Aylesbury
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Stourport
On balance of play a half-time lead was deserved for the Ducks, but Stourport weren't about to roll over as they might have in previous years.
After Taylor flicked a headed effort wide immediately from the restart, Craig Henney came close to scoring a spectacular goal. Showing great persistence he won the ball back from a defender before smashing a dipping effort from a full 30-yards which had to be tipped over by Evans.
Another off target Taylor header ended Aylesbury's bright spell, and they found themselves forced back as Stourport took the game to them.
Vincent was on hand again, this time denying Richard Colwell's low effort after the ball had dropped invitingly to him on the edge of the area. Colwell tried his luck again soon after when he collected a poor clearance, but hit a wayward effort.
Stourport's best chance of an equaliser came from a rare moment of sloppiness by the Ducks, when they were caught napping and a quick free kick released Will Gayton. His shot across goal could have gone anywhere, but a fantastic defensive challenge from Nick Leach averted the danger.
The eventful nature of the game certainly showed no sign of slowing, and Mealor had the next chance after Maynard cut the ball back to him, but he could only find the side netting with a low drive.
Swifts were then reduced to ten men when Nathan Graham surged past Perry, only to be hauled down. As the last man Mr Mellor had no other option but to give Perry his marching orders fifteen minutes from the end.
That should have been the impetus for Aylesbury to go on and make the game safe, with Stourport in momentary disarray following the dismissal. Maynard tested the keeper with the resulting free-kick, beaten away by Evans, but it was Stourport who were back on the attack in the following minutes.
Gayton beat Smyth with some good skill and ran in for goal, before curling an effort just past the top corner when his hard work really deserved a better finish.
Aylesbury continued to waste what chances they did create, Swonnell blazing over when well placed and Graham shooting wide of the target when clean through, meaning the final stages were more uncomfortable than they needed to be with Swifts camped in the Aylesbury half.
Despite the pressure the only effort Stourport could muster was a rising shot from Matt Gardiner which zipped past the post, and United were able to extend their record to over 6 hours without conceding a goal.
Mead, Graham and Maynard might all have done better in front of goal as Aylesbury ended on top, but a second goal just wasn't forthcoming and it ended in another 1-0 win.
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