A ray of sunshine finally shone down on the Aylesbury Ladies on Sunday, as through the rain and hail they recorded their first league victory since September

It’s been a tough season for the Ducks with tragedy off the field and the loss of key players on it, but the spirit and determination with which the whole squad has battled on continued to belie belief and the win was the least that they deserved for their efforts

Results have been improving of late as the recent home draw with Chinnor showed but with other teams going out of business United had found themselves propping up the division for too long

But the three points gained at Bracknell not only revives confidence but also means the side can deservedly lift themselves off the foot of the table if they can overcome Newbury on the last day of the season.

Aylesbury had the better of the first half at Syngenta Park and would have been ahead if Gemma Franklin’s looping volley had dipped a few centimetres more with the home keeper struggling to make up ground.

Franklin then just shot wide from a corner, while at the other end teenage keeper Bonnie Craven and the whole United defence were immense soaking up anything the Berkshire side could throw at them.

The goal came a few minutes after the break and from an unlikely source

A Kerry Naisbitt corner was cleverly flicked on by Leigh Reed and found full back Bethan Harris on the edge of the area. Unfazed, the defender unleashed an unstoppable half volley into the roof of the net sending her team mates into a frenzy of delight

Beanie Cameron’s audacious lob went just over the bar with fifteen minutes remaining before the home side created a few chances late on, the best a header which went just the wrong side of the post from a free kick

But Aylesbury held on to take the points and can at last look forward with renewed optimism.