With what had ultimately been a successful season for the Ducks, the Berks & Bucks final was a chance for the team to sign off with some silverware for their troubles. Unfortunately it was not to be, as Berkshire side Maidenhead took the trophy with a superb performance of attacking play.
The Magpies signalled their intent early in the game, as Andy Cook got forward from midfield to fire a shot wide of the post, after a cut-back by Paul Kelly. Within ten minutes of the kick-off though, Maidenhead had the lead. An uncharacteristic rushed clearance by Lee Worgan presented the ball invitingly to Lawrence Yaku, who kept his cool and passed the ball into the empty net. 1-0 Maidenhead
Not a problem was the resounding cry from the Aylesbury fans, we always come back from one-down. Unfortunately, it was two-down after another four minutes. Greg Williams gave the ball away in midfield, and a nice move involving a number of Maidenhead players resulted in Adrian Allen weaving his way through the box, and excellently finishing the move. 2-0 Maidenhead
Aylesbury didn't know what had hit them, and the fans didn't know where to look. Maidenhead just weren't content with their 2-0 lead, as they pressed hard for another. Andy Cook managed to close down another clearance by Worgan, and the ball trickled just wide. After a Yaku run the ball dropped for a Magpie attacker, who fancied his chances from distance, but was just over.
Mid-way through the first half, and Aylesbury finally showed some attacking promise. Danny Gordon picked up the ball and played a killer diagonal ball for Chris Bangura to run onto. The striker's first-time shot was saved by the legs of Richard Barnard.
At the other end Yaku once more teased the Aylesbury defence with a good run, before sqauring the ball for Cook. His shot was going straight to Worgan, but Steve McGrath deflected it wide for a corner.
The match was then well and truly ended by a third goal. A very offside looking Yaku broke free of the entire defence, and was faced only by Lee Worgan. The first shot was well saved by the young Welshman. Unfortunately the rebound fell to the striker, who headed the ball on and stroked the ball into the empty net. 3-0 Maidenhead
The first half up to now had been all Maidenhead, and things were looking bleak for the Ducks. Adam Campion hit a free-kick into the side netting, which certain fans thought had crept in, real clutching at straws time! Craig Maskell then wildly hit a right-footed shot, which he skied, clearly showing his frustration.
It was Maidenhead who ended the half on the attack though. Paul Kelly laid the ball off for Matt Glynn to take a shot, which went just wide.
Half-time: 3-0 Maidenhead
The second half didn't get any better for the Ducks. Time and time again Yaku broke free from the defence, as they just seemed like they'd given up at times. On three seperate occasions Yaku found himself clear. The first time his finish was straight at Worgan, after finding himself one-on-one. The second saw the striker unmarked to the right of the area, but his touch let him down and Worgan was able to claim the ball. The third time he tried an early shot after being clean through again, but his effort was well over.
Yaku's antics sandwiched a Steve McGrath header at goal, which went wide. For Maidenhead Paul Kelly fizzed a shot wide of the far post from a fair distance.
Aylesbury then had their best spell of the game, creating two chances. A Campion run released Bangura, who's cross-shot from a tight angle went all the way across goal, and just needed a touch at the far post. Shortly afterwards Maidenhead's defence was caught napping, and Bangura broke free. As the defenders regained their positions, Bangura was forced to cut-inside, and try a right-footed curler, which was easily dealt with by Barnard.
The resurgence didn't last long though, as Maidenhead made it 4-0. After a break-away the ball was sqaured to Yaku, who slotted home to complete a fantastic hat-trick. His acrobatic celebrations matched the quality of his goals. 4-0 Maidenhead
With a 4-0 lead, Maidenhead finally took their collective feet of the gas, and Aylesbury were allowed some attacking play. Richard Gell burst into the box, but could only bundle a shot over. Aylesbury were then awarded a penalty, after Maskell went down in the box, and Adam Campion slotted home to give the Ducks a little consolation. 4-1 Maidenhead
As they game came to an end Aylesbury adopted the much under-used 2-4-4 formation, and threw everything forward. They couldn't score another, although Steve McGrath his the bar with a towering header.
And so it ended 4-1, and a poor performance from the Ducks meant it was Maidenhead who lifted the Cup. Yes it was a bad day for Aylesbury, but it was also a superb peformance from the Magpies, who looked dangerous every time they went forward.
Steve Cordery will have learnt a lot from today's game, and there is a lot of work to be done for next season. No doubt too that we will see a number of new faces around for the next campaign. The preperation starts here...
