A hat-trick from in-form striker Tony Mendy left Aylesbury well beaten and looking further than ever from claiming a long awaited first win at their new home of The ASM Stadium, as Chalfont St. Peter won 4-0 to put themselves top of the table.

Though not outclassed, the ease at which the Ducks conceded some of their goals was alarming, and as their struggles in front of goal continue there are real problems for manager Tony Joyce to contend with.

Injury kept out Sonny French and Shaun Owens, but Jake Bewley was fit enough for a spot on the bench, whilst Ash Farmer had recovered sufficiently to make his Aylesbury debut. New signing, 16-year old striker Nathan Tshikuna, also took his place in the dugout.

Aylesbury made the worst possible start as their visitors took the lead with barely 30 seconds on the clock. A long ball down the middle resulted in a panicky defensive clearance, and as the ball fell to Mendy he curled a classy finish into the top corner. 1-0 Chalfont

Chalfont sensed the opportunity to quickly double their lead with United looking nervy, and when Mendy had a shot charged down in the box by Greg Williams, he had another shot blocked after a short corner kick routine was worked into his path.

The home side’s first attempt at goal came on the quarter hour mark when Billy Adcock slashed a wild effort wide after a corner kick, and it was from another flag kick that a better opening followed as Alex Collard met Paul Edgeworth’s delivery but it was an easy take for the keeper.

Still looking for his second goal in United colours, the hard working Eoin Casey did well in the 25th minute when he received a pass down the line, jinked past two defenders but placed his shot the wrong side of the post.

Long shots were about the best Aylesbury were able to muster, and Lee Grace tried his luck with another four minutes later when a long throw was cleared into his path but his effort rocketed well over the bar.

Chalfont were still looking the most potent attacking force and a neat move Kofi Lockhart-Adams’s shot having to be turned away by Tokarczyk.

Two minutes later and the Saints did have a second, with a well crafted yet simple goal, Lockhart-Adams playing the ball inside to Mendy who drew the defender before making space for the shot and firing home. 2-0 Chalfont

Farmer had a clear sight of goal at the other end when he volleyed a helped on cross wide of the target, and as the half came to a close in end to end style only a saving challenge from Lee Grace kept Chalfont’s scoring down to two as he arrived to take the ball away just as Lockhart-Adams was about to shoot.

There was still time for Edgeworth to miss the target with the best Aylesbury chance of the half, doing superbly well with the ‘hard bit’ of bringing down Grace’s raking pass into the box but then slotting the ball wide from five-yards with only the keeper to beat.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-2 Chalfont

With seemingly nothing to lose, Joyce opted to throw on additional strikers in the shape of Tshikuna and Stacey Field at the break, and his team responded with a positive start to the second period.

A ball out wide to Taylor Collins saw the winger cut in but fire straight at Power-Simpson, whilst Casey should have done better moments later when Williams and Collins combined with the latter playing a good low cross that Casey got in a muddle when trying to finish.

A powerful run in the 54th minute from Tshikuna saw him drift past a number of defenders on his way into the box before Power-Simpson made a smothering save to deny him a dream start.

The new found spring in the Ducks step was quickly wiped out by a third Chalfont goal though. Having been nearly caught out by Lansiquot’s acrobatic effort not long before, it was he who added the third by rifling home a low ball across the penalty area. 3-0 Chalfont

Five minutes later and Aylesbury were presented with a fine chance to hit back, a through ball dissecting the Saints defence and leaving Collins a straightforward looking opportunity that he could only slot wide.

Mendy stood up a cross to the back stick which saw a header blocked at close range as Chalfont came close to another, but the visitors, and Mendy, didn’t have to wait long. Alan Hedley was afforded all the time in the world to pick out Mendy who somehow had even more room for the easiest of finishes. 4-0 Chalfont

With twenty minutes still to play United were glad to see the back of Mendy – now with seven goals to his name in eight games this season – when he was swapped for Anthony Thomas, but Chalfont nearly scored number five when Lewis Ochoa screwed wide from yet another square pass in the box.

Despite the scoreline, Aylesbury kept plugging away and Power-Simpson was called upon to make a save when Stacey Field flicked Bewley’s cross goalwards, and Bewley himself then went close when he dragged a shot just past the upright.

Chalfont had a couple more noteworthy attempts as the game wound down, Lansiquot smashing over the bar from an excellent lobbed pass by substitute Anthony Thomas, who then shot straight at Tokarczyk after a neat passing move shortly afterwards.

The Ducks did have the ball in the net in stoppage time when Collard headed home a deep free kick only to see the linesman’s flag raised, although it would have been little consolation given the nature of the game.

Whether a blessing or a curse, Aylesbury now have another ten-day break from league action as they turn their attentions to the Red Insure Cup and a tough looking trip to Premier Division Redditch United in prospect.