1 | ||
12 | 2, 46m | |
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
15 | 16, 75m | |
8 | 18, 66m | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
19 | ||
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
2 | 12, 46m | |
14 | ||
18 | 8, 66m | |
16 | 15, 75m | |
20 |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | 12, 64m | |
9 | ||
10 | 16, 64m | |
11 | 14, 75m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 8, 64m | |
14 | 11, 75m | |
15 | ||
16 | 10, 64m | |
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
Two changes from the side that performed creditably against Cirencester in the last match, with Sonny French returning in place of Ben Seaton and Ezra Anthonio-Forde making his first start after injury replacing the unavailable David Pitt.
Looking to build on the encouraging performance of the previous week, the Ducks started well, putting the home defence under pressure. First a cross from Lee Stobbs on the right cleared the players in the penalty area, but fell to Jake Bewley on the edge of the penalty area, however his shot flew over the crossbar. Two minutes later Stobbs was involved again, feeding Tyriq Hunte on the edge of the penalty area, but like Bewley before him, his shot was high and wide of the target.
Following these chances, the hosts took more control in the middle of the park and fashioned a great opportunity in the 21st minute. A crossfield pass fell to Francis Mampolo on the right side of the penalty area, who found a yard of space outside Bewley and fired a shot towards goal, but Hopwood was alert and happy to see it fly into the side netting.
From the next attack, Mampolo did well to shoot from 25 yards, this time his effort cannoned back off the far post into the path of Jon Clements, who steered home from 6 yards to open the scoring. 1-0 Biggleswade
One became two 7 minutes later, as a Charlie Smith corner was met at the far post by Harry Draper who rose highest to bury his header and double the lead. 2-0 Biggleswade
Five minutes before half time Smith crossed from the right on to the head of Clements, but he was unable to get his effort on target. Smith was involved again a minute later, collecting the ball on the right, stepping inside David Lynn and squaring the ball to Samuel Tinubu, but his shot from 20 yards was straight at Hopwood who saved comfortably.
The pressure told in the 43rd minute, when Smith fashioned another chance, sliding the ball into Draper who shot past Hopwood from the edge of the penalty area. 3-0 Biggleswade
Half-time: Biggleswade 3-0 Aylesbury
As was the case in the first half, the Ducks started well after the break; French combined well with Bewley on the left flank, with the full back driving a low cross into the penalty area, but sadly for the visitors, agonisingly out of reach of both Hunte and Anthonio-Forde. In the 56th minute Bewley found Dan Stokoe with a throw in; he pulled the ball back to Anthonio-Forde on the edge of the penalty area, but his volley was too high to trouble Timmy Smith in the home goal.
Sadly, the pattern of the first half was repeated in the second period, with the Waders soaking up the pressure, before proving more clinical in front of goal. The lead was extended in the 63rd minute, when Mampolo did well on the left before crossing into the penalty area; after a scramble for the ball, Clements was on hand to fire home from 6 yards. 4-0 Biggleswade
Following the goal, Jack Wells made a double substitution, with Seaton and Riddick entering the fray in place of Stokoe and French. The Ducks did manage to hit back in the 69th minute, scoring the best goal of the game. A ball across field from Bewley found Jack Wood, who played a delightful ball into the 6 yard box, where Jack Moriarty ghosted in ahead of Draper to volley home. 1-4
Hunte had a great opportunity to reduce the arrears further in the 77th minute, a ball over the defence caught Dan Brathwaite flat footed, allowing the striker a clear run at goal, he took aim and hit a powerful volley from 25 yards, but it was to close the keeper Smith, who managed to deflect the ball away for a corner.
Four minutes later, Hunte had another opportunity, this time a cross from Stobbs finding him 10 yards out, but this time his effort was too high to trouble Smith.
Eight minutes from the end, Moriarty took a free kick from 40 yards; the ball was cleared back to him, he took a touch and shot from 30 yards, bringing a fine save from Smith.
With two minutes of the 90 remaining, Moriarty found substitute Stephen Enow on the right flank; he fired a cross to the far post, where Seaton managed to get his head to the ball, but was unable to guide it onto target.
The final action of the match saw a cross from the right fall to Charlie Smith, who tried a speculative volley that had Hopwood rooted to the spot, fortunate enough to see it rebound away off the crossbar.
Referee Simon Kavanagh blew the final whistle shortly afterwards to condemn the Ducks to a disappointing defeat; it can’t be argued that the better team on the day didn’t win, but with some more clinical finishing, especially in the second half, the game could have had a much closer scoreline.
A critical period of 4 consecutive home matches lies ahead, with points available against some of the teams around us at the foot of the table. Hopefully the management team can learn from the result and the performances - both the good and poor aspects, to set the team up motivated to gain the points that are needed, starting on Tuesday against Hertford Town.