Aylesbury further distanced themselves from the relegation zone, as a second win of an important three days saw the Ducks draw level on points with hosts Hanwell Town.
This was only their first back-to-back league win of the season, and on the occasion of captain Jack Wood’s 300th club appearance, it was fittingly built on an unyielding defensive display so typical of his style.
Despite the return of manager Ray Duffy, who ‘retired’ the summer before, Hanwell came into the match on a dire run of form having gone since February without a win.
The lowest goals scored tally in the league, and only two netted in their previous ten games indicated where the Geordies’ problems lay, and so it proved.
The home side spent most of the second half camped in Aylesbury’s half; numerous dangerous balls were played into the box, yet whilst there were many superb defensive blocks and interceptions, Zaki Oualah didn’t have a serious save to make.
His opposite number, however, was called into action as early as the sixth minute when a Jake Bewley long shot looped up off a defender before bouncing up awkwardly and having to be tipped over the bar by Martin Herdman.
Hanwell’s first effort on goal, albeit a rather tame one, arrived on 15 minutes when Callum Duffy, one of four Duffys in the side, collected the ball as Aylesbury struggled to clear their lines, but couldn’t generate enough power to test Oualah.
Vinnie Shrieves should have opened the scoring for United midway through the first half when he got on the end of Shaun Owens’s searching free kick delivery, but instead headed wide from close range.
It was from another Owens free kick that eventually lead to the deciding goal, a little over ten minutes later. Herdman flapped badly at another teasing ball into the box, just doing enough to smuggle the ball behind for a corner.
Bewley whipped in another inswinger, which, to some observers, looked to have gone straight into the net, but did in fact nick off Joe Chandiram at the near post for an own goal. 1-0 Aylesbury
Next it was the turn of Reece Cameron to nearly profit from an Owens free kick, as he tiptoed in beyond the far post to direct the ball goalwards but Herdman was in the right place to block.
It was fast becoming an evening where set pieces, and free kicks in particular, were to be the highlight. A telling delivery at the other end this time from Michael Buckley picked out Connor Duffy well placed who flicked it goalwards only for Oualah to pluck the ball out of the air.
The same Duffy then had the last action of the half when he rode a number of challenges but made poor contact on his final shot from the edge of the box, and it was easily saved.
Half-time: Hanwell 0-1 Aylesbury
A half time change saw Stacey Field – who had originally been in the starting lineup but for his late arrival – replace Sonny French, and it was he who had Aylesbury’s first chance of the second half when he bent a difficult shot past the post.
Prior to that though, Hanwell gave early indications of their second half intentions as the first of many dangerous crosses into the box lead to the first of many defensive interceptions, Greg Williams doing sterling work to get back and head clear.
Three minutes later the ball dropped to Connor Duffy in the area who could only shoot straight at Oualah.
The ever-unpredictable Bruno Brito drew the best save of the half on 53 minutes when he collected a loose ball before driving in a fierce effort towards the top corner that Herdman did well to tip wide.
Hanwell’s pressure on the Ducks goal began to grow, a corner kick punched away firmly by Oualah and another just needing a touch to carry it in, whilst former Chelsea man Sam Hurrell wasted a good chance by dragging a shot well wide after the ball was worked inside to him.
Reece Cameron, Chris Crook, Jack Wood, Ricky Brown, Jake Bewley were all involved making heroic blocks of various nature as Aylesbury continued defending strongly to deny Town shooting opportunities.
Hurrell did have another chance when the ball dropped to him after a free kick, but he skewed badly off target for the second time of the night.
The Ducks introduced young Jack Beech for the last ten minutes, and his fresh legs allowed some respite and a new attacking outlet. It was he who dug out an 85th minute shot which was saved by Herdman.
With the minutes slowly ticking by, Hanwell were convinced they should have had a penalty two minutes from time. A corner kick was overhit across goal, but when the ball was recycled into the box an offensive player looked to be bundled over by Crook, but referee Mr Gillett quickly indicated his disinterest in the strong shouts.
As the clock on the impressive new scoreboard at Reynolds Field showed 90 minutes, Oliver Duffy suddenly found himself running clean through, but a superb recovery run by Ricky Brown saw him back to clear the ball behind and save Aylesbury.
More heroic defending kept the door shut at the subsequent corner, before Ryan Kinnane had the final chance when he latched onto a flicked on throw but could only head straight into the grateful arms of Oualah.
Once the six minutes of injury time had finally come to an end, Aylesbury were at last able to celebrate another good win – their fifth on the road this season and one that takes them four points clear of nearest relegation rivals Leighton Town having played a game less.
