1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | 15, 45m | |
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | 16, 85m | |
7 | ||
8 | ||
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 12, 77m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 11, 77m | |
14 | ||
15 | 3, 45m | |
16 | 6, 85m | |
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | ||
9 | 14, 81m | |
10 | 12, 65m | |
11 | ||
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 10, 65m | |
14 | 9, 81m | |
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
The Ducks were much the better side in the opening half and briefly had the lead when Nathan Graham pivoted and struck a well taken volley.
Ross Lafayette, restored to his preferred role of centre-forward, had the game's first chance when his shot was blocked just inside the area after Sam Swonnell had found him with a raking pass.
The early dominance continued as Marsh had the next effort five minutes later when he came inside but shot well wide.
Even with the early pressure, Karl Lewis in the visiting goal wasn't troubled, but Aylesbury did at least have a shot on target when Jason Castello fired in an effort which was held with a degree of comfort by Lewis.
Bromsgrove were struggling going forward, as rather like United, they came into the game heavily depleted and started the game with defender Jemiah Richards as a makeshift striker. He worked hard for the cause in a position clearly alien to him, but time after time he and his partner Tom Hobbs were either caught offside or unable to make an impact.
The visitors' first attempt came throgh John Snape who got a shot away but pulled it wide of the target.
An opening goal arrived on the half hour mark. Castello marked his first start of the season with a fine assist, heading the ball on then using his pace and strength to beat his marker before delivering a telling cross which Graham volleyed sweely into the net on the turn. 1-0
Bromsgrove's Tom Warmer went for goal with an audacious effort from the centre-circle at the restart, which nearly caught Tom Vincent but he just managed to scramble backwards in time and prevent the ball crossing the line at the very last moment.
United had a couple of good chances to increase their lead. Mark Jones played a good ball out wide to Marsh, and he continued his run to get on the end of Marsh's cross but his effort was blocked wide for a corner.
Lafayette headed a near post Mead cross well over the bar, but instead of increasing the scoring, the Ducks were unable to hold their lead until half time.
A warning shot was fired just prior to the goal when Carl Kavanagh's air kick attempt at a clearance let Richards in with just Vincent to beat, but he showed the finishing prowess which betrayed his true position and shot tamely straight at the keeper.
The equaliser came courtesy of a controversial decision from referee Mr Martin. Richards' shot from an impossible angle hit the side-netting, and seemed a clear goal kick - at least to most others in the ground.Unfortunately for Aylesbury a corner was the award and John Snape stole in to guide a well placed header through a crowd of players and send the teams in level at the break. 1-1
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-1 Bromsgrove
What had been a fairly entertaining spectacle of a match simply went up in smoke just like Aylesbury's lead had. In the second half both teams seemed to be going through the motions as the game degenerated into a dour end of season affair.
The loss of Daniel Mead at half-time through injury meant a loss of shape for United which didn't help and they took time to get going again.
Marsh had been lively throughout the game and Bromsgrove had no answers when the ball was at his feet, but he was unable to find a finish to match his dribbling throughout the game. He had a further two efforts in five minutes, one easily held by Lewis, then later shooting wide having taken the ball past two defenders.
What proved to be the winner arrived on 65 minutes, a left wing cross was headed towards goal by a forward and Richards had followed in, just managing to stay onside, to prod the ball into the net. 1-2
Rovers had a strong shout for a penalty waved away soon afterwards when the ball was driven hard against Mark Boyce's hand.
In the closing stages Richards was withdrawn, with another defender Barry Woolley moving up front. It was he who had the next effort when he hit a poor shot well over the bar.
He did a lot better in the final minute when he got the better of Kavanagh before driving a left-footed effort which called upon Vincent to make a flying save and tip the ball wide.
Despite the introduction of Glen Hawkins, Aylesbury were virtually anonymous for the final third of the game and their only genuine chance fell to Ross Taylor who headed wide from a corner kick.
It was another night of disappointment for United and they now travel to Atherstone Town for their last fixture of the season.