After an enforced 3 week break due to the weather, the Ducks were back in action today, hosting Cirencester Town, who were on a great run of form and were sitting in the final play off place in the league table, having beaten 2nd place Biggleswade FC 4-1 in their last match.

Changes were enforced in the starting line up, with Mark Riddick and Sonny French both unavailable, Anthony Ball ill and Harry Jones still injured. Into the XI came Jordan Jenkins to partner David Lynn at centre back, with skipper Jack Wood moving to full back. David Pitt made his long-awaited debut on the left side of attack, with Ben Seaton replacing French. There was also the welcome sight of Ezra Anthonio-Forde returning to the subs bench after a 16 week layoff, another indication that the squad is now approaching full strength as we approach the important end of season run in.

Although the hosts started well, it was the Ducks who threatened first. A fine pass from Dan Stokoe released Lee Stobbs behind full back Will Christopher; he made ground into the penalty area and crossed low into the 6 yard box where Tyriq Hunte met the ball well, only to see visiting keeper Alex Harris make a great save at point blank range.

The first opportunity for the visitors was presented to them by hesitant defensive work; Lynn underhit a backpass which Jack Hopwood cleared, but not before Levi Irving closed him down and blocked the clearance, fortunately for the Ducks the ball rebounded wide of the target. Shortly afterwards a chance was created after good work by Jay Simpson on the right; his cut back fell to Zac Guinan, but his shot from 12 yards was superbly blocked by Wood on the goal line.

The visitors were in the ascendency at this stage and Simpson was the next to threaten, cutting in from the wing, firing a shot goalwards which Hopwood saved well. Guinan was next to threaten, when a clearance fell to him; he made ground into the penalty area but Hopwood had his angles right and saved well at the near post.

Despite their dominance, Cirencester had a lucky escape as half time approached. A pass from Ben Seaton found Hunte wide on the right; he cut inside Christopher and fired towards the far post where Pitt deflected the ball, but just wide of the target.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Cirencester

The second half started well for the Ducks; Wood took a free kick from the half way line which fell to Stokoe, whose shot was saved by Harris. The ball looped up to Jenkins, but he couldn’t get sufficient power on his header and it was easily held by a thankful Harris.

There was a major flashpoint in the 57th minute, as visiting skipper Jake Lee appeared to lead with an elbow in a challenge on Stokoe, leaving the Ducks player in a heap on the floor. Players from both sides became agitated, while referee Joe Woolmer considered his decision. Perhaps fortunately Lee saw yellow, rather than the red that many were expected, with Harris and Wood also seeing yellow for their part in the aftermath.

A series of substitutions broke up play, with the Ducks faithful happy to see first Tom McElroy and then Ezra Anthonio-Forde brought on in support of Hunte in attack. The new additions brought new energy to the Ducks and caused the visiting defence different issues. However, it was the visitors who had two good opportunities to open the scoring, first Simpson passed the ball across field to substitute Nicholas Peare 20 yards out in space, but his shot was well claimed by Hopwood above his head.

Then 4 minutes later Irving played the ball to Simpson who cut inside Lynn and curled a 20-yard shot over the bar. McElroy had two great opportunities as the clock ran down towards 90 minutes. First he chased a quick clearance from Hopwood and robbed the ball from substitute Jordan Morris on the touch line before coming infield. He sidestepped two challenges before firing narrowly wide of the far post with Harris helpless.

Two minutes later, the two subs combined as Anthonio-Forde played a ball between the centre backs for McElroy to run onto, but Harris was quickly off his line to block he shot from 18 yards.

Having fought so well throughout the match, there was heartbreak for the Ducks in added on time, after Lynn was penalised for a foul on the half way line. The ball was delivered into the mixer where the initial header fell to Lee 6 yards out who lashed the ball into the corner of the net to snatch all 3 points for the Centurions. 1-0 Cirencester

So, another disappointment for the Ducks, but one which they should take great heart from. For much of the game they matched opponents who have genuine promotion prospects and with the squad now strengthened by players returning to fitness there is much to be hopeful for with the rush of games that February will bring, starting with a trip to mid table Biggleswade Town next Saturday, before 3 home games in 8 days against Hertford Town, AFC Dunstable and FC Romania.