Aylesbury travelled to Hendon, and I for one didn't really know what to expect. The defence we all knew was capable of keeping inferior teams at bay, but yet again proved itself incompetent at dealing with anything other than...well anything really. Team news, and Adam Campion made way for Roni Joe, and Joe Baker was back in the team. Kezie Ibe was also dropped to the bench.

The game started at a high pace, with both sides trying to play the ball around. The bobbly pitch wasn't helping matters at all though. The first chance of the night fell to Hendon, as some familiar defensive uncertainty allowed Rob Haworth to steal in, and shoot wide.

The Ducks first real chance of the half came as Bangura hassled the Hendon defence to win the ball back, deliver a delightful cross, which was met by Roni Joe, and headed over from 2 yards. Hendon had a penalty appeal turned down soon after, as Eugene Ofori appeared to have been pushed to the ground in the box.

Gareth Risbridger, playing virtually as an attacking midfielder, attempted to get his name on the scoresheet, as he hit a long-range effort, which was easily held by David Hook, the Hendon keeper. A minute later he was at it again. Another excellent Bangura cross, was met by the rampaging Risbridger's head, but his effort looped over the bar.

Hendon had some chances of their own. Roni Joe blocked a shot well, before the impressive Ofori beat the entire back four for pace, but his shot was poor, and ended up nearer the corner flag than the goal. Hendon's next chance was a gift from Tony Houghton. Big Tone cleared the ball straight at an attacker, and the ball ricocheted and could have ended up anywhere.

Gareth Risbridger had a great chance for Aylesbury after 25 minutes, as he broke free from the Hendon defence, rounded the keeper...and stopped. After what seemed an eternity, the keeper was given the chance to get up, and get himself back in position. The ball was eventually squared to Roni Joe, who found his path to goal blocked by the re-instated keeper, and four Hendon players.

The Ducks survived a goal-bound effort following (yes you guessed it!) a corner. Mark Burgess was in the right place on the line. Hendon were pressuring the Ducks, looking for a goal, and it soon came. A low pass forwards, was allowed to run on by Eugene Ofori, tricking the Ducks defence. This allowed him to cut inside, and fire a stunning shot past the desparing Adam Wheeler. Such cleverly worked goals I don't mind conceding... 1-0 Hendon

Half-time: Hendon 1-0 Aylesbury

Half time came and went, and the game was all Hendon. The Ducks weren't getting a look in, as the home side created chance after chance. The best of their chances just after half time came as a diving header struck the face of the crossbar, with Wheeler just beaten. Hendon got the killer goal just after, on 55 minutes. Ofori broke free yet again, and was stupidly hacked down by Houghton. Penalty. Up stepped Paul Yates to send Wheeler the wrong way, and effectively kill the game. 2-0 Hendon

Kezie Ibe replaced Maskell in an attempt to liven up our attack. The game continued, with Hendon keeping the ball well, and not allowing the Ducks a sniff of goal. However, just after the hour mark, Aylesbury decided a late rally was needed, and started creating some chances. Bangura had skied a good opportunity, after suberbly bringing the ball down over his shoulder. A few half chances came and went, as did Roni Joe, replaced by Adam Campion. Rory Hunter replaced Mark Burgess.

Tony Houghton hit a swerving, dipping free-kick, which dropped just over. Our best effort of the second half so far. Kezie Ibe dug out a shot, following a short free-kick, just after ex-Duck Iain Duncan had hit the post, and failed to bury the rebound.

In the 88th minute, with the Ducks pushing hard for a goal, they somehow managed to get one. A long throw from Greg Williams dropped nicely for Joe Baker, who smashed it firmly home. Having been anonymous for the second half, it was nice to see him there when needed! 2-1 Aylesbury

Just when it looked like Aylesbury could grab a totally underserved equaliser, disastor struck. Youngster Rory Hunter made a suberb covering tackle on Ofori, but played a woefully short backpass, which Ofori pounced on. A lot of work was still needed, but he made it look easy, as he suberbly curled the ball past Wheeler, and in off the post. Unfortunate for Hunter, as he had been doing well up to that point. 3-1 Hendon

And that's how it ended. The Ducks had threatened a brief, and very late, comeback. But it was never to be, we were never in it, to be honest. Nice to see Rory Hunter getting a run-out again, he didn't look out of place, until 'that' backpass. And the defence is atrocious.