Aylesbury advanced to the Quarter Final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy courtesy of a royal thumping of Berkshire side Wokingham & Emmbrook.
The 7-0 win was the Ducks? biggest victory in eight years (since an 8-0 win over Whyteleafe in 2002) but was also just as memorable for a rare clean sheet and some quality goals (a mixture of finely crafted and thumping strikes). However, on the flip side, it also marked a record low home crowd of just 56.
A number of Wokingham?s players had been held up in traffic which lead to kickoff being delayed until 8pm, and whether that was a contributory factor in their slow start to the match was a distinct possibility as within seventeen minutes the ?satsumas? were two goals down.
Craig Townsend got things underway when he rocketed in a trademark thunderbolt on the half-volley as a corner kick was only partially cleared to him on the edge of the box. 1-0 Aylesbury
Ben Baines ? continuing in an unfamiliar right-sided position ? was next to threaten five minutes later when he brought the ball forward before firing in a left-footed shot as the ball dropped which he pulled wide of the target.
Two minutes later and it was two, with another quality goal. Lea Coulter?s run down the left was picked out by a throw-in and his great cross was nodded in at the back post by Paul Edgeworth. 2-0 Aylesbury
Aylesbury tried to keep up the pressure on the visitors? goal and Coulter did well to ride a challenge before cutting the ball back in the area, but the ball was swept away.
As the half hour mark approached Wokingham were beginning to find a way back into the game and their first attacking move of any real quality produced their first shot on goal, as a passing movement ended with a low shot from Tom Chapman gathered in by Sillitoe.
United had to defend strongly to keep their opponents at bay and Jack Wood made a fine saving challenge to block Shane Cooper-Clark?s shot on 31 minutes as he had briefly gone clean through but waited an eternity to pull the trigger.
Justin Gordon followed suit soon afterwards with a similar defensive block to deny Nick Bateman this time.
With the first period drawing to its conclusion it was the Ducks who ended strongly with Coulter flashing a drive across goal having twisted and turned the retreating defence inside out.
Edgeworth then went close with a header having been picked out by the ever improving Jack Wood?s raking diagonal pass.
On the stroke of half-time Aylesbury did get a third to seemingly put the result beyond doubt. Wood?s deep free-kick was headed back across goal by Edgeworth and eventually forced in from close range by Coulter. 3-0 Aylesbury
Half-time: Aylesbury United 3-0 Wokingham & Emmbrook
Wokingham offered little after the break, which was particularly disappointing considering they themselves had won 7-0 at the weekend and won their previous five matches.
They showed some brief early promise and Sillitoe was called upon two minutes in to make a good near post save and turn Tom Williams? shot wide. The resulting corner fell to Shaun Wanklyn but he could only shoot wide.
It was left to Aylesbury therefore to add to the scoring, and they appeared in ruthless mood and needed little invitation with another goal arriving midway through the half.
Will Smith beat Wanklyn before playing in Edgeworth wide left. His pinpoint cross was met by Coulter who had done excellently to get across his defender and glance a header into the net. 4-0 Aylesbury
Tony Joyce shuffled his pack and withdrew United?s only recognised centre-back ? John Mullholland still struggling with the knock that kept him out of weekend action ? to bring on Danny Jones.
The result was Ben Baines moving forward into his natural striking role, and within two minutes it reaped rewards as he added Aylesbury?s fifth of the night when Townsend?s ball over the defence set him free and he produced a cool slotted finish past Harris. 5-0 Aylesbury
90 seconds later Jones was millimetres away from adding a sixth himself as he arrived late to fire Smith?s early cross goalwards, only to see the ball agonisingly strike the upright.
Wokingham then summed up their evening as Williams dribbled forwards before lashing a wild effort from 25-yards well over the bar, but they came closer two minutes later as Sillitoe had to beat away a low cut back into the area.
Coulter was looking for his hat-trick, and he pulled a shot wide in the 77th minute which the referee adjudged to have taken a nick as from the corner kick which was awarded Townsend added his second with an absolute pearler from outside the area leaving Harris no chance. 6-0 Aylesbury
The shots rained in on Harris?s goal right up until the final whistle, with Garcia?s drive whistling past the post and O?Grady also fancying his chances but seeing his effort flash wide of the other upright.
Baines added his second and Aylesbury?s seventh a minute from time when he turned his man to run onto a through ball before curling a shot delightfully into the net over the head of the stranded Harris. 7-0 Aylesbury
There was still time for Tony Joyce to join the party with a late cameo appearance, and he nearly had a hand in another Aylesbury goal as his free-kick came all the way through to Edgeworth who shot all the way across goal, just out of reach of the inrushing Coulter.
This was a very impressive night?s work for Aylesbury and a result which must stand them in good stead as they next come up against the league?s 100% and much fancied outfit Chalfont St. Peter.
