Buoyed by two away victories in a row, the Ducks returned to the Meadow for their first home game since the FA Trophy defeat against Bedford 6 weeks ago. Unsurprisingly given the result at Waltham Abbey 7 days ago, manager Jack Wells chose to keep the same starting line up, with just one change on the bench, Tyriq Hunte returning after his one match suspension in place of Josh Iheanacho.

Hopes of a good start were dashed inside 35 seconds, as the visitors won the ball from the kick off and attacked down the left. Centre forward Isaac Stones got to the by-line and crossed low towards the near post, where James Callan could only deflect the ball onto Jake Bewley, who got the last touch for an unfortunate own goal. 0-1

The lead could easily have doubled in the 8th minute; Jordan Edwards won the ball in his own half and played a pass forward for Stones to chase, clear of the defence; however, Callan was out quickly to push the ball away as the striker attempted to go round him. Stones had another good chance in the 22nd minute, latching onto another through ball and shooting from 18 yards, but narrowly wide of the near post.

However, the lead was to double in the 25th minute, the Ducks lost the ball in midfield and it was played forward to Stones who once again provided the assist, squaring the ball to Edwards who had an easy tap in at the far post. 0-2

Despite the scoreline, the Ducks were having the majority of the possession, but sadly it was in the deeper areas of the pitch and attacking threat was limited. On the stroke of half time Rocko Tamplin was fouled 20 yards from goal; Dave Pearce took the free kick and forced a smart save from Luke Ward, low to his left.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-2 Hadley

The second half saw the introduction of Hunte in place of Kwai Marsh Brown, and it was the big striker who almost gave the Ducks a way back into the match. A long ball forward found Hayden Beadle on the left, who laid the ball on for Hunte to cut in off the flank and fire a powerful shot from 25 yards, which Ward could only claim at the second attempt.

In the 75th minute, a foul by David Lynn on Zacharias Uribarri saw referee Tom Whay play a good advantage, allowing substitute Ed Davis to get to the by-line and cut back inside Max Cavana, before firing in a powerful shot that Callan saved well, low at his near post.

Two minutes later and the Ducks were back into the game; Lynn played a fine diagonal to Pearce on the left, who exchanged passes with Hunte before driving a low cross into the penalty area, which deflected off defender Billy Baird and past Ward. 1-2

The old adage that a team is most vulnerable after they have scored came back to haunt the Ducks, as the visitors extended the lead to 2 goals again three minutes later. Poor defending on the left saw Billy Hayes break into the edge of the penalty area, before pulling the ball back to his skipper Luke Alfano, who made no mistake with a first time shot from 12 yards. 3-1 Hadley

The arrears were reduced with 4 minutes left on the clock, a ball headed forward to Hunte who fed it to Pearce 15 yards out, who saw his shot deflected away from the keeper and into the corner of the net. 2-3

An unlikely equaliser almost came with 4 minutes of added time played; a ball forward was headed on by Hunte into the path of Tamplin who broke into the penalty area and shot towards the near post, but Ward made a fine save to protect his side’s lead.

So, a disappointing defeat, but still positives to take from the game. Possession and use of the ball was good, if not incisive enough at times. Up next is a tough assignment against league leaders Bedford Town next Saturday, before a third home match in 10 days against Barton Rovers on 31st Oct.