After collecting a point and a clean sheet against Hertford in midweek, the Ducks were looking to build on that and sought all 3 points today against FC Romania, who started the day one place below in the league table.

After what has been a disjointed season for the visitors, they have now seen the return of their previous manager, and a host of new players, some from their step 2 landlords Cheshunt. Indeed, 5 of the starting line up are on dual registration with Cheshunt, so any thoughts that this would be a walk in the park were quickly dispelled, which was showed in the opening minutes, with the interplay of the visitors leaving the Ducks chasing the ball at times.

The Ducks, starting with an attacking looking line up, worked hard from the start, and had the first chance of the match, when a Sonny French corner from the left was met by an unmarked Jake Bewley in the 6 yard box, but he could only direct his header wide of the target, when he could and should have done so much better.

However, the Ducks faithful didn’t have to wait long for the opening goal, as the recalled Ben Seaton won a header in midfield under heavy pressure from a defender; as the ball broke to Ezra Anthonio-Forde on the left, referee Luke Scott played a good advantage instead of awarding a foul. The striker played the ball forward to David Pitt 25 yards out, who went past his defender and shot home from the edge of the penalty area. 1-0 Aylesbury

Five minutes later, Jack Wood won a tackle on half way and found French 35 yards from goal. He in turn passed the ball into Tyriq Hunte who outpaced Norris Ichim before getting a shot away, which was saved at the near post by Drilon Ajeti.

The visitors created their first real chance in the 26th minute; good work down on the left edge of the penalty area by Ebenezer Addo-Kufuor saw him pull the ball back to Mo Camara, but his first time shot from 15 yards was wide of Hopwood’s right hand post.

Five minutes before the break, good work by Kendall Gyamfi saw him go past David Lynn and reach the byeline before cutting the ball back to Camara, who hit a first time shot from 6 yards against the near post, with Hopwood grateful to claim the ball as it bounced back to him.

Shortly afterwards, Nasha Mukwada, on as a substitute for the injured Pitt, was robbed of the ball, which was passed to Addo-Kufuor, who turned and fired in a shot, which Hopwood tipped over the crossbar.

As the seconds ticked down to half time, the Ducks doubled their lead; a cross field pass from French saw Anthony Ball win a challenge for the ball ahead of Addo-Kufuor, which was directed towards Hunte, who deflected the ball on Anthonio-Forde, who drilled a shot from 15 yards which rebounded back off the near post; unlike Camara’s effort earlier, this time the ball rebounded back to the striker, who fired the ball home at the second attempt. 2-0 Aylesbury

Half-time: Aylesbury 2-0 FC Romania

The first action of the second half saw the visitors reduce the arrears, as Ernold Haxhiu carried the ball into the penalty area drew Wood into a tackle, before going down theatrically. The result was a penalty, which was well taken by Camara planting the spot kick powerfully past Hopwood. 2-1

Two minutes later, Seaton found French 25 yards out from goal; he looked up and fired a shot towards goal, but saw his effort rise just over the bar. Seaton was at the heart of the action 5 minutes later, spotting the overlapping run of Bewley, who travelled into the penalty area before crossing to the far post, where Mukwada saw his diving header fly across goal and just wide.

In the 75th minute, Seaton again did well, passing to Hunte on the right touchline. He held off the challenge of the defender before playing a ball into space for substitute Dan Stokoe to run onto. As he approached the penalty area he was clipped from behind by Enock Ekongo, who saw red for the foul, deemed to be denying a goal scoring opportunity.

Looking to make the numerical advantage count, the Ducks came close to extending the lead in the 79th minute, when Mukwada charged down a clearance by ex Aylesbury player Alex Dubniuc, the ball falling to Hunte 10 yards out, but his shot was well saved by Ajeti coming off his line.

Five minutes from time, Wood found Hunte on the half way line; he passed the ball to Mukwada on the right, who made ground to the penalty area and played a ball across the box, agonisingly just ahead of Hunte as he arrived.

The last action of the game saw a pass out of defence from Bewley find Hunte; he looked up and saw Mukwada in space on the left; unfortunately his control let him down, allowing Christopher John to get back but the ball fell kindly for the winger after the tackle, although his shot from 18 yards lacked pace and direction, dribbling wide of the goal.

So, objective achieved, 3 points in the bank and with the results of all the other teams going in our favour, the Ducks rose above Highworth in the table. Two more home matches ahead, starting with the visit of neighbours AFC Dunstable on Tuesday, before Hadley come to the Meadow next Saturday.