After the excitement of last week’s 4 - 4 draw at Hertford Town, it was the Hawks from Harlow who were the visitors to the Meadow this afternoon. Positioned just 5 points and 4 places ahead of the Ducks in the League table, this was a match that appeared to offer a good chance for the first three points of Jack Wells’ reign. Just two changes to the starting line up, with Jordan Jenkins replacing the unavailable David Lynn, and Lee Stobbs starting in place of Chief Boateng, who took a seat on the bench, joined by Ben Seaton on his return after an 8-week injury lay off and new signing Stephen Enow.

The good start that was hoped for duly arrived in the 7th minute, as Nasha Mukwada got the better of Alex Luque on the left flank, driving to the by-line and pulling the ball back to Tyriq Hunte on the edge of the 6-yard box who calmly side footed home to open the scoring. 1-0 Aylesbury

The visitors had a good chance to hit back 4 minutes later, as the dangerous Terrell Egbri did well to dance past two defenders on the right side of the penalty area, before shooting from 15 yards, only to see Jack Hopwood make a fine save.

In the 20th minute, good work from Hunte in the middle of the park saw him hold the ball up well before being tackled by James Folkes; the ball fell to Sonny French breaking into the penalty area, but a combination of a tackle by Luque and the fast-advancing goalkeeper Melvin Minter blocked his effort. Seven minutes later French spotted Jake Bewley overlapping unmarked on the left and played the ball into his path; however, unlike his clinical strike to score the late equaliser last week, this time his shot went wildly across the face of goal.

As half time approached Jared Small collected the ball wide on the right before finding Egbri infield, who shot just wide from 30 yards. The final play of the half saw Hunte burst free of the defence, but slightly overran the ball, allowing Minter to collect the ball.

Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Harlow

Six minutes into the second half Hunte was again to the fore, as he collected the ball 35 yards out before passing to French 20 yards out, but his shot was too high to trouble Minter.

Just past the hour mark and substitute Sam Bayon collected a quick throw in and crossed to the far post where Small rose highest and headed the ball down towards the goal, but Hopwood was well placed to make a decent save.

With 15 minutes remaining French sprayed the ball wide to Harry Jones on the right flank; he crossed into the penalty area where Enow headed down to French, whose volley from 20 yards was very well saved by the diving Minter.

The final goalmouth action saw a dangerous cross from Bayon intercepted by an alert Jones, the ball falling comfortably for Hopwood to claim.

The final minutes saw the Ducks absorb a good deal of pressure, the defence soaking up the pressure effectively before the final whistle blew to confirm the first win in 6 weeks and a welcome 3 points, lifting the Ducks out of the bottom two. Next up is a trip to Kidlington on Wednesday, ahead of a trip to Hadley next Saturday.