After the exertions of the vital win at Highworth on Thursday evening, squad options limited manager Jack Wells to just 4 substitutes for the trip to 2nd place Biggleswade FC. The limited options also forced a change of shape, with Jack Wood, Jordan Jenkins and David Lynn lining up in a 3-man centre back partnership, supported by Anthony Ball and Harry Jones as wing backs.

Given the effort expended less than 48 hours earlier, supporters might have been excused if they though that the Ducks would be lacking energy, however, that was far from the case, the team more than matching their high-flying opponents throughout.

An early scare saw home skipper Tom Coles fire over the cross bar from the edge of the penalty area after a training ground corner routine, before the Ducks took an early lead. A Sonny French corner was headed back out to him on the right, allowing him to play a low ball back into the penalty area. A hurried clearance fell to Tyriq Hunte on the edge of the penalty area, who turned and clipped a shot over ex Ducks keeper Dan Green into the far corner of the net. 1-0 Aylesbury

On the quarter hour mark, Adam Hunt made a good run outside Harry Jones on the right and crossed towards the penalty spot, where Coles outjumped Jenkins, but couldn’t direct his header on target. Two minutes later and a through ball from Coles to strike partner Dan Bond saw the striker clear of the defence; Jack Hopwood came out to narrow the angle, forcing Bond wide before he could shoot, which had given Wood time to get back and clear his goal bound shot off the line.

On 20 minutes, the impressive Hunt was found by a good pass from Pat McCafferty; this time his cross was touched on to Michael Simpson by Coles, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area was wide of the far post.

The Ducks came close to doubling the lead in the 39th minute, when French flicked the ball to Hunte on the left. He found Ethan Holt on the edge of the penalty area, whose shot was well saved by Green, but fell invitingly back to Hunte, but his shot was high and wide of the near post. With four minutes remaining in the half, a corner delivered by Simpson was headed goalwards from 8 yards, but Hopwood reacted well to clear the ball with his feet.

Half-time: Biggleswade 0-1 Aylesbury

Into the second half and the Ducks doubled their lead after 53 minutes. A French corner from the right was headed on at the near post by Wood, and half cleared by McCafferty, but the ball fell to Holt 6 yards out, who fired a first time shot into the bottom corner. 2-0 Aylesbury

Just past the hour mark, a cross from Hunt was cleared by the feet of Hopwood, but only as far as Simpson on the edge of the penalty area, who fired in a shot which clipped the outside of the post and out for a goal kick.

Five minutes later and a cross from the left by Reiss Oteng was met by Coles 10 yards out, but again Hopwood was equal to the challenge, flying to his right to save one handed. Oteng and Coles combined again two minutes later, this time a low cross saw Coles shoot into the side netting.

As the game got nearer to its end, the home sides efforts became more desperate, searching for a way back into the game, typified with an attempt from 25 yards from McCafferty two minutes from time, which was high wide and not so handsome.

Despite being under pressure for most of the second half, the Ducks defended resolutely, justifying the team selection and tactics for the match, with what must be considered one of the best performances of the season in the circumstances. With both Highworth and Kempston suffering heavy defeats, the Ducks were assured of safety to play Step 4 football again next season and actually moved up one position in the league.

The last match of the season sees Ware visit the Meadow on Sat 22nd April, a match which is being sponsored by the Town Mayor, with a large crowd expected to celebrate the outcome of what has been a difficult season.