On the back of a 4 match unbeaten run, the Ducks welcomed Welwyn Garden City to The Meadow today, looking to build on that recent good form. Despite the good news that Mark Riddick has had his 3 match suspension for the unjust red card at AFC Dunstable last week rescinded, he didn’t feature today, resting the injuries he sustained in the incident. Jack Wells was forced into an enforced change just before kick off, when Anthony Ball failed a fitness test on a calf injury, meaning an instant debut for Ethan Holt, with Harry Jones reverting to full back.

The visitors, seeking a play off place, started well, with tricky winger Callum Nicolson looking composed and dangerous on the ball. Indeed, it was he that provided the breakthrough, cutting inside Jones on the left before crossing into the 6 yard box; Jack Wood’s defensive header fell back Nicolson, who fired a fine shot across Jack Hopwood and into the top corner of the net. 1-0 Welwyn Garden City

The first chance for the Ducks fell to David Pitt, cutting in from the left flank, he showed great close control to dribble past 4 defenders, but his shot from 20 yards was off target. A minute later, Jones did well to win possession on the right side, before cutting infield and finding Pitt; he went past Harvey Steel on the outside and shot from 10 yards, but again was narrowly wide of target.

On the half hour, Pitt again did well on the left, beating two defenders and shooting from 25 yards, this time his shot dipped late, but not quickly enough, hitting the stanchion at the back of the goal.

On 36 minutes, Ezra Anthonio-Forde won the ball well in midfield, before passing to Pitt. He beat his defender and fired a shot towards the near post, but visiting keeper Charlie Crowley got down well to save and concede a corner.

Two minutes later, a flowing move from Welwyn saw the ball moved on to overlapping full back Ryan Kirwan, who pulled the ball back to Carlos Flood; he swivelled and shot, but saw his effort rise over the crossbar.

The action switched back to the opposite end as this time Pitt turned provider, finding Anthonio-Forde 35 yards out with a fine cross field pass; he took a touch and fired in a shot which just cleared the cross bar with Crowley struggling to get back on his line.

The final chance of the half fell to the visitors, a ball into the right channel found Matteo Esposito, who saw his shot well saved at point blank range; the ball rebounded to Flood, who shot over the bar.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-1 Welwyn

Following a yellow card for a foul on Holt in the 50th minute, visiting defender Josh Steele saw a second yellow in the 65th minute for pulling down Pitt as he dribbled towards the penalty area.

Despite playing against 10 men, the Ducks found it hard to break down a well disciplined defensive line. The closest they came was an effort by Pitt in the 75th minute, when Pitt neatly sidestepped Steel and fired in a cross (or was it a shot\'), which crashed off the corner of post and bar and out for a goal kick.

Three minutes later, a long ball into the penalty area was headed down by Anthonio-Forde to Jake Bewley, but his right foot shot cleared the bar.

The Ducks succumbed to a sucker punch with two minutes remaining on the clock; left back Kirwan made good ground into the penalty area, beating the challenge of Jones, before playing a low pass across the 6 yard box, where substitute Bailey Stevenson arrived at the far post ahead of Bewley to tap in and double the lead. 2-0 Welwyn Garden City

The Ducks gave themselves a glimmer of hope a minute later, visiting defender Phil Lowen was caught in possession by Bewley 40 yards from goal. He saw substitute Tyriq Hunte in space in front of him, finding him with a cute pass. Hunte looked up, opened his body and slotted a fine left foot shot past Crowley from 15 yards to score. 1-2

Although the game resulted in a loss, results for other teams in the relegation battle all went in the Ducks’ favour, indeed all of the teams around them suffering heavy losses, meaning an incremental gain in goal difference, which could be a critical factor when the final table is scrutinised.

Next up is a trip to Thame on Tuesday evening, to play a rearranged match against Didcot Town, whose home ground is unavailable due to floodlight issues. We hope as many fans as possible can make the short trip down the A418 to support the team in what promises to be another tough match against another play off chasing team.