Aylesbury United returned to The Meadow, home of Chesham United for the start of a new season hopeful of a good start to the season. With a starting line-up showing just one new face to the squad that finished the last season, that of youngster Harry Jones, there was an air of familiarity around the ground.

In the third minute, the first chance on goal fell to the Ducks. A Gavin Hinds-Cadette throw was returned to him by Jones, allowing the full back to cross towards Bruno Brito, however last season’s top scorer’s effort didn’t trouble the keeper, clearing the bar. Following the bright start, the visitors started to gain a firmer hold on the game, with the midfield being particularly impressive and influential. Wide man Charlie Losasso controlled the ball well and laid the ball into the path of his skipper Wes Daly, who shot from 25 yards, but narrowly wide of Sillitoe ’s goal. On 25 minutes good work by Patrick Rosicka wide on the left, saw him beat Hinds-Cadette before passing to strike partner Aaron Morgan, who shot was well held by Sillitoe.

The second half started saw the Ducks come closest to opening the scoring in the 54th minute. A cross was cleared as far as Jones on the edge of the penalty area, his first time volley looked goal bound but unfortunately hit Greg Williams. It was the visitors who did open the scoring 4 minutes later. The ball was lost in midfield and passed to substitute Andre Costa on the right flank. His cross was met by Aaron Minhas on the 6 yards line, the midfielder volleying past Sillitoe. 1-0 Beaconsfield

Just two minutes later and the lead was almost doubled. Costa again the provider, finding Morgan on the edge of the penalty area, who turned smartly and shot low towards the near post, where Sillitoe was down smartly to save. On 62 minutes the lead was extended. The impressive Losasso took the ball down the left, cut inside Hinds-Cadette and fired a fierce shot which crashed against the cross bar and rebounded into the net off the unfortunate Sillitoe. 2-0 Beaconsfield

It was all Beaconsfield at this stage, having taken a firm hold on the game. Elliott Cary threaded a through ball to Morgan, who outpaced Ryan Kinnane, who was relieved to see Sillitoe make another good save with his feet. On 73 minutes it got worse for the Ducks. The Rams controlled possession in midfield, passing it around until it reached Minhas, whose powerful shot hit both posts before rebounding out to skipper Daly, who reacted quickest of all to fire past Sillitoe. 3-0 Beaconsfield

Finally, in the 79th minute came a moment for the Ducks fans to savour. The ball was passed to Hinds-Cadette wide on the right, he cut inside his defender and fired a left footed shot from 25 yards across keeper Norris and into the far corner for his first goal for the Ducks. It’s fair to say he will do well to better the strike! 1-3

Any glimmer of a comeback was wrecked 3 minutes later. Substitute Ollie Jones, only just on the pitch scored with his first touch of the ball. The ball was lost again in midfield, Losasso passed to Jones who curled the ball in off the left-hand post. 4-1 Beaconsfield

That effectively brought down the curtain on a sobering first game of the season, one which will give the management team plenty of food for thought. They say that it isn’t good to dwell too long on a defeat; with a match at Bedford on Tuesday evening that won’t be a problem for the Ducks.