Another tough test today on the back of matches against high flying Ware and St Neots came in the form of a match across the Downs at AFC Dunstable. Today’s fixture was the one chosen for this season’s sponsored walk by supporters, raising funds for our charity partner for the season, the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund at Stoke Mandeville hospital. I think it is fair to say that result was a great reward for their labours, especially fitting that Max Hercules scored two stunning goals to win the game.

As so often this season, Ben Williams had to juggle his resources to put together a team; skipper Jack Wood missing due to bruised ribs, Dave O’Connor withdrawing on the day feeling unwell and new signing Gavin James not available to make his debut until next Saturday. This meant a return to the side for Sonny French and Rico Greco who played at left back, with Jake Bewley moving to centre back in place of Wood. The bench was quite bare as a result, with only 3 named substitutes available.

AFC Dunstable came into the game having lost only two league matches and were sitting in second place in the league, which given our record of never beating our hosts at Creasey Park, didn’t do much to quell the nerves of the sizeable visiting fans. However, the game started in a very low-key manner, with midfields dominating the action but little in the way of goalmouth action for the first 20 minutes, which no doubt helped the Ducks’ players adapt to the changes.

The first action of the game came in the 25th minute, with Newman Carney shown a yellow card for fouling Ben Seaton 25 yards out towards the left corner of the penalty area. Up stepped Hercules to fire a superb curling effort into the top corner, giving Jamie Head little chance to keep the ball out. 1-0 Aylesbury

The hosts were forced into a substitution soon afterwards, with Charlie Pattinson forced off injured, to be replaced by Jervon Campbell.

After the goal, the game again fell into something of a lull, Jordan Jenkins doing well to nullify the pace of the ever dangerous BJ Christie, meaning the opportunities for the hosts were few and far between and mainly resulted from set pieces that were comfortably dealt with by the Ducks defence.

It was Hercules who came closest to adding to the scoreline, a sublime flick from Greco setting him on a run towards goal, before firing across Head towards the far corner, but this time the keeper made a fine save to prevent the goal.

The best chance for the hosts came just before the interval, with Jenkins adjudged to have fouled Christie in what looked a 50/50 challenge, 35 yards from goal. Carney stepped up to take a dangerous inswing free kick, which Deacon did well to head clear for a corner with the giant centre back Ryan Frater hovering ready to strike.

Half-time: AFC Dunstable 0-1 Aylesbury

The second half started with a much better tempo. Dunstable, no doubt fired into at half time by their management, took the game to the Ducks from the start. Frater fired a cross field pass to Jack Harvey, who spread the ball further wide to Ben Collins overlapping on the right; however, there was no one on hand to get the vital touch as his cross evaded everyone and away for a throw in.

Two minutes later Carney delivered a free kick from the right, which was met by the head of Frater, but his header was weak and easily saved by Archie Davis.

Hercules was back in the action shortly afterwards, picking up a pass on the left flank and driving inside Collins. He evaded a couple of tackles before the ball ran away from him and fell to Lee Stobbs who shot from 25 yards, but saw his effort deflected wide for a corner. From the corner kick, Jenkins rose highest but saw his effort claimed by Head.

The ball was sent downfield, where the hosts had a corner of their own, delivered by Carney and met by the head of Lewis Ferrell, who powered the ball into the bottom corner of the net to draw the scores level. 1-1

Shortly afterwards Deacon made way for Aaron Berry to join the game. He was straight into the action, as Stobbs showed a fine turn of pace to beat Gedeon Okito on the right and whip in a cross, which the striker met with a good header, only to see his effort drift wide of the far post.

The winning goal arrived on 70 minutes. Another Dunstable corner was met by the head of Frater, but he was adjudged to have pushed Jenkins in reaching the ball. Quick thinking from Davis noticed an opportunity for a quick free kick, which he delivered over the head of Collins and into the path of Hercules, who took a fine touch and rounded Head to tap in his second and the crucial goal of the match. 2-1 Aylesbury

The final chance fell to Hercules, who will feel he should and could have notched up a hat trick. A fine passing move through midfield involving substitute Ollie Hogg, French and Hercules set Greco free on the left. He cut the ball back to Hercules, but sadly his effort from 20 yards lacked the composure of his earlier efforts, sailing over the bar and into the car park beyond.

All in all, a great day out for the Ducks at what is not usually a happy hunting ground. A good win and a sizeable four figure sum donated to the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund. It shouldn’t go unnoticed the support that AFC Dunstable have played in helping to achieve this, looking after our walkers when they arrived and donating the proceeds of the 50/50 draw to the charity themselves. Our thanks to our friends at the club for their outstanding support and contributions.

Next up is the trip to Kempston Rovers next Saturday. Although they are struggling towards the wrong end of the table, they will be buoyed by a fine 6-1 win yesterday against Colney Heath.