1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | 12, 81m | |
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | 15, 72m | |
8 | 14, 49m | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | ||
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 4, 81m | |
14 | 8, 49m | |
15 | 7, 72m | |
16 |
The deciding goal arrived eleven minutes from time after a controlling second half performance, where their patience eventually paid off against their stubborn lowly opposition.
Already struggling for numbers, the Ducks squad was further decimated by Warren Garcia’s absence at a wedding, Enzo Silvestri and Daniel Jones joining the injured list, and Hateley Mercer’s likely departure.
John Mulholland returned to the starting lineup where he was joined by debutant Luke Flood, and the two formed a formidable partnership which were rarely troubled. Tom Barnett also returned to the team after his suspension, and Ivaylo Dimitrov was granted his first start since returning to the club.
The first half was fairly evenly matched with both sides having their chances, but it was far from a classic. Jack Sillitoe was extended in the very first minute to deny Ashley Dray who went for goal after a move down the right.
Hatfield were making the most of their wind-backed advantage, as Flood made a couple of good interceptions to keep them at bay, before another move down the right ended with Sawyer’s cross being headed well over by Dray.
On 14 minutes a mix-up between Mulholland and Sillitoe nearly caused disaster with Mulholland trying to head the ball back to his keeper but misjudging his position. Sillitoe had to dive to claim the ball and smother at the 2nd attempt.
Aylesbury hadn’t had much joy to that point, Mulholland might have done better in the 10th minute when he headed Hallford’s free-kick well over the bar, but at the midway point Acheampong saw a shot kicked off the line after a brief scramble.
Aylesbury were beginning to get on top of proceedings, Acheampong flicking a header wide all the way across goal, although a shot from Golder a minute later was diverted just past the goal by the outstretched boot of Jack Wood at the other end.
Just before the break Mulholland saw another header drop over the bar, and Hallford’s audacious 35-yard attempt floated narrowly over after he spotted Sam Lacey off his line.
Half-time: Hatfield 0-0 Aylesbury
With the wind behind them, the second half was plain sailing for the Ducks as they took control of the game, having plenty of attacking pressure without finding a breakthrough.
In the first few seconds, Hallford’s low ball into the box was turned onto the bar by a defender, Acheampong unable to find the net with the rebound as the ball was screwed wide.
Two minutes later Acheampong set Field free with a through ball, but the former Bedford man’s shot didn’t have the power to beat Lacey.
Already down to bare bones, the last thing United needed was another injury problem, but that’s exactly what they got when Ivaylo Dimitrov was forced off injured and replaced by Melford Simpson just five minutes into the second half.
The Ducks forced a succession of corners, four in the first fifteen second half minutes, the closest they came to making one count was when Simpson headed narrowly over the bar, with the aid of a deflection, with the next flag kick causing a scramble from which Simpson nearly forced the ball home.
Hatfield attempts after the break were rare in the extreme, but a clumsy foul from Ben Baines gave them a shooting chance which Golder wasted with a very tame effort straight at Sillitoe.
The ball was worked quickly down to the other end where Simpson fired in a half-volley from the edge of the box which Lacey made a good save from, before Baines scuffed an effort wide as the minutes ticked by without bringing the goal Aylesbury craved.
Acheampong was the next man to go close when he won the ball back, beat his man to get into the box, before seeing a near-post shot deflected behind. The resulting corner again came to nothing, as Simpson got well underneath his header and saw the ball sail over.
Fortunately, the Ducks remained patient and didn’t get frustrated at their lack of goal, and it paid dividends when they finally opened the scoring after 79 minutes. Acheampong helped the ball on for Field, who headed it beyond the last defender before running free and calmly rolling a shot past Lacey. 1-0 Aylesbury
The goal gave United a boost, and before the match was out they had a number of good chances to increase their lead.
Fine play from Simpson and then a slide-rule pass from Hallford set Baines away, but his finish wasn’t good enough to beat Lacey in the one-on-one.
Three minutes after that Field was inadvertently played in by a wayward Hatfield pass, but he badly scuffed his effort and it rolled wide of the target with only Lacey to beat.
The Ducks survived a big penalty shout for handball against Mulholland in the final five minutes, whilst substitute Ryan North hit a hopeful shot over the bar from the edge of the box, but Hatfield had little to offer.
In stoppage time it was Barnett’s chance to spurn a glorious opportunity when he was played through by Field, going around the keeper but then firing wide.
It mattered not as the solitary goal was enough for the Ducks to claim a well deserved win and continue their excellent away form in the league.