It was something of a journey into the unknown for Aylesbury tonight, as they travelled to Banstead Athletic of the Ryman League Division One South. Tonight was about getting a result, and just getting through the tie.
Kevin Wilson made changes to his team, as Danny Gray won his place up front, alongside Ryan Wiffin. The injured Lewis Reid was not in the team, so Greg Williams dropped into defence, with Adam Campion taking up a right-wing role. Matt Hayward returned from injury to replace John Winter in defence.
The match started slowly, with little improvement evident from Saturday. Chances were once again few and far between, although Banstead nearly took an early lead. A crazy goal mouth scramble somehow failed to result in a goal, as a combination of Kevin Davies and desperate defender kept the ball from crossing the goal-line.
An Aylesbury foray forward after twelve minutes saw Alex Stanley hook a volley wide of the post. Then Danny Gray hit an effort from out wide which was held by keeper Tony Webb.
Aylesbury's best chance of the half fell to Ryan Wiffin, from a corner, but the big striker could only knee the ball towards goal. The rebound dropped to Rory Hunter, and he scooped a shot wide.
This was the end of the chances for the next twenty minutes. Banstead then had their first meaningful chance towards the end of the half. Marcel Dennis headed wide a cross after a good move forward.
At the other end a superb cross from Campion was punched clear by Webb, and Gareth Risbridger connected with a sensational first-time volley, on the outside of his boot, which was saved by the keeper, and Gareth was denied the goal-of-the-season award. (Yes it would have been better than Greg's at Braintree!)
Half-time: Banstead 0-0 Aylesbury
The second half finally saw Aylesbury playing with some purpose, although the performance was still lacking a cutting edge. However, they nearly scored nine minutes into the second half. A fantastic cross-field pass from Campion split the defence and put Stanley clear, he was cynically brought down but the referee played on. The ball richocheted through towards goal, hitting Ryan Wiffin and nearly going in.
A minute later and Wiffin was at the centre of the action again, winning the ball in the air before playing in Campion. The young winger tried a first time shot which went wide, when he had a lot more time than he realised.
Banstead appeared to have survived the Aylesbury surge, and had a chance of there own, albeit a fluky cross which required a superb save from Kevin Davies. Marcel Dennis followed up, but his volley was easily held.
Aylesbury did finally make a breakthrough after 61 minutes, and it was Danny Gray who scored his second goal in as many games. A free-kick, thirty five yards from goal, was fired in by Adam Campion. The ball bobbled about in the box, rebounding off a couple of players before falling nicely for Gray to tuck away through the keeper's legs. 1-0 Aylesbury
Within a minute of the goal Greg Williams left the field with a worrying limp, to be replaced by Danny Gordon.
The goal seemed to settle Aylesbury down, and they created more chances before the end of the game. Banstead never seriously looked like getting back into the game as the class difference finally started to show.
A break forward saw the ball played to Danny Gray, who played a sublime pass forward for the on-running Wiffin. Sadly the big striker couldn't keep his feet and the chance was spurned.
Two minutes later and Alex Stanley drilled in an effort just wide of the post. The final chance of the game was created by the best move of the game. A flowing break forward saw Campion on a run through the middle, who fed Gray on the edge of the area. Gray's effort was blocked by a defender to deny a deserved second.
So the Ducks go through to the second round, after showing some persistance to break down a stubborn Banstead side. To be honest, their 16th place does not reflect the well-organised and tactically aware side they are.
