The Oakside Stadium held good memories for Ducks fans, having been the scene of promotion last season, as United confirmed their place back in the Ryman Premier Division. Tonight it was a very different scene - in a ghostlike setting the Ducks looked to recover from their heavy defeat to Canvey.
The Ducks line-up was surprisingly missing Gareth Risbridger, who had returned from suspension, but was only on the bench. Phil Dicker replaced Burgess, and Gary McCann was in goal for the injured Adam Wheeler.
The game started with Ford on top, as they had a couple of crosses which came to nothing. Aylesbury's first chance came from the Bangura latching onto a misplaced pass, and his early right-footed shot was stopped by Ford keeper McMahon.
The game was soon a scrappy affair, as both sides struggled to get hold of the ball. On 28 minutes the Ducks took control of the game. Fiston Manuella sent a fantastic long through ball, which Adam Campion got on the end of, and finished well. A Fist Assist, converted by the wonder-winger. 1-0 Aylesbury
After some more scrappy minutes, Aylesbury doubled their lead. The impressive Bangura flicked the ball onto Maskell, who had no problem in slotting the ball home. 2-0 Aylesbury
Just before half-time, the Ford keeper McMahon managed to injure himself. One of the Ford players ended up in goal, but despite Ducks fans cries of "shoot", the makeshift keeper had little to do.
Half-time: Aylesbury 2-0 Ford
Much to the delight of the Aylesbury fans, keeper/chairman Jimmy Chapman made an appearance in goal for the 2nd half. We were hoping for another 3 goals, like he gave us last year...
Ford found themselves under pressure for long periods of the game. A Campion cross was headed just wide by Greg Williams, before Phil Dicker fancied his chances from range. The ball whistled over the bar.
After 55 minutes, Campion was clearly brought down in the box, after going on a run. The referee kept his hands behind his back, to the disbelief of the Ducks fans (or everyone in the ground!)
Chris Bangura then decided he wanted a goal, and went looking. He was first put clean through, before easily lobbing Chapman. Unfortunately the ball dropped agonisingly wide, when the entire crowd though it was in. For Baggy's next trick, when yards offside, he raced forwards to receive a square ball from Joe Baker. From virtually under the bar he managed to slide in and sky it. Remeniscent of his first season with the Ducks.
Ford suddenly started playing, and went in search of a goal of their own and they got one on 79 minutes. A corner was punched by McCann, unfortunately it was picked up by Ashley Marsh, who thundered his shot into the top corner. Cue rapturous Ford fans celebration...Or not 2-1 Aylesbury
Ford pushed hard for an equaliser, and were getting a lot of chances. With the Ducks panicking, Tony Houghton thought fit to make a ridiculous sliding tackle, right in front of the Ford dugout. It was a challege fit for a straight red. Suddenly it was bedlam, as a free for all broke out, between players and the Ford manager. Somewhere, somehow Fiston Manuella got involved, but no-one seems to have seen it. Anyway, the ref decided to send the manager off, along with Fist, whilst showing Tony Houghton a yellow card. Dismay for Fist...
After the game had resumed, Ford continued to press forward, desperately seeking an equaliser. It was Aylesbury who had the best chance though, as Baggy broke free yet again, and delivered a ball to the unmarked Risbridger. Unfortunately, it was just behind the midfielder, and he could only produce a tame shot.
Somehow Aylesbury stood firm, as Ford threw the kitchen sink at them. Nervy times indeed. Right at the death Leli Bejeda launched himself at the ball for a diving header, but it went just wide. He should of scored. I'm delighted to say he didn't.
So another three points collected from the Oakside Stadium. And another three points collected away from home, we're still unbeaten away.
