1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | 14, 45m | |
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | 15, 62m | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 17, 80m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | ||
14 | 4, 45m | |
15 | 8, 62m | |
16 | ||
17 | 11, 80m |
Joey Acheampong’s late heroics rescued the day for the Ducks though when he scored a superb individual goal in stoppage time to ensure the points stayed in Bedfordshire.
The first half was a fairly engaging affair as the contrast between Aylesbury’s direct play and Tigers’ continental style proved compelling.
Aylesbury started well, and a surprised Stacey Field placed a second minute shot wide – surprised that the Acheampong’s low ball into the area had got through to him, and a minute later Acheampong got on the end of a long defensive clearance which allowed him to flash in a shot which came back of the keeper.
In the fourth minute the Londoners came a fraction away from opening the scoring when Terence Cariba fired in an early snapshot which Sillitoe managed to get fingertips to, John Mulholland stretching the hook the ball off the line at the very last second – the ball not going in according to the well positioned assistant referee.
Both sides had further half chances, but nothing clear cut. Edgeworth did well to get on the end of Sawyer’s cross, but couldn’t generate enough power on his header to beat Woodley, whilst a shot from Field out wide also lacked the power to beat the visiting stopper and at the other end Cariba shot well over having got the better of Jones, and Njozeka wasted a free-kick by firing past the near post and into the side netting.
The biggest first-half talking point was in the 29th minute when John Mulholland was headed by his opposite number Dimitri Larin at a corner kick.
Larin came off far the worst, suffering a nasty head injury and heavy landing for his efforts. There were then distressing scenes as he suffered a fit whilst on the ground, requiring swift paramedic treatment. Thankfully, he was able to later walk to the ambulance but was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
When the match restarted twenty minutes later, both sides continued to struggle with their finishing as Baines for Aylesbury and Barinovas for Tigers hit weak efforts which were easily dealt with by their opposing keepers.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 London Tigers
Tigers took the challenge to the Ducks early in the second half and the ball was in the net in the first minute when Cariba finished crisply, only to see his effort ruled out by a very belated linesman’s flag. Some strong defending from Jack Wood – a recurring theme of another superb game by the youngster – then kept the visitors at bay again.
Cariba and Ahmidi linked up well on the edge of the box with the latter ultimately firing high and wide, before the tide began to turn as the hour mark approached.
Field should have done better from 5-yards when Sawyer’s low ball into the area was expertly dummied by Edgeworth, but the young striker’s effort was straight at Woodley.
Woodley then produced a brilliant reflex save to stick out a fist and deny a low drive by Sawyer and turn the ball over, and a minute later Edgeworth curled a shot past the upright having been played in by Field.
Acheampong was then guilty of another poor finish when he capitalised on a defensive mistake to go through for a clear shot at goal, but his effort was weak and Woodley was able to gather.
It mattered not as the Ducks had their tails up, and an opening goal arrived a minute later. Great play on the right by Field saw him win back the ball and cross for Edgeworth, who lashed home his 51st Aylesbury goal, and his third goal in three games. 1-0 Aylesbury
The game entered something of a lull immediately after the goal, and it took ten minutes for another attempt from either side – Field and Edgeworth both firing powerful efforts out of the ground at the Buttles end in quick succession, and a volley from Tom Barnett also flew wide.
As the game ticked into the final 5 minutes, the Londoners forced an equaliser out of nothing. A low ball in from the right had Aylesbury caught out and Erhad Ponxha was on hand to score with the aid of a deflection. 1-1
Suddenly, and for the first time of the game, Aylesbury were ragged and came close to conceding a second when Elteferi’s shot was deflected just wide and substitute Ben Kargbo was left free at the resulting corner but volleyed high and wide.
Ellekhlifi was never likely to score with a 45-yard free-kick which flew over the crossbar, but his teammate Wadah Ahmidi nearly did when he ran at the retreating Ducks’ backline before driving a low shot all the way across goal.
Aylesbury survived the pressure, and, against the run of play, nabbed a winner for themselves in stoppage time. Another mistake at the heart of Tigers’ defence gifted the ball to Acheampong, who produced a moment of magic as he weaved his way past two defenders and lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net. 2-1 Aylesbury
It was a dramatic ending to a well contested game and though London Tigers may argue that a point would have been fair result, the win was very much welcomed from Aylesbury’s point of view.
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