1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | 15, 65m | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 14, 82m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | ||
14 | 11, 82m | |
15 | 8, 65m | |
16 | ||
17 | ||
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
1 | ||
2 | 14, 83m | |
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | 9, 68m | |
8 | ||
15 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 12, 81m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 11, 81m | |
14 | 2, 83m | |
9 | 7, 68m | |
16 | ||
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
The Ducks travelled to Creasey Park on the back of a welcome 3 points against Hadley in the previous match, looking to renew rivalries with our close neighbours AFC Dunstable. Manager Jack Wells chose, made a couple of enforced changes to the line-up, with both Lee Stobbs and David Lynn unavailable, replaced by last week’s goal scoring hero Sonny French and Jordan Jenkins. David Pitt also came into the side, with Tyriq Hunte taking a place on the bench to start the game.
On a pitch that was bobbly and cut up badly as the game progressed, it was difficult for both sides to pass the ball around on the floor with any fluidity. Playing on the right of the attack, former Duck Max Hercules did well to cross to the far post, where Max Bustamante arrived to place his header just wide of the post.
The first opportunity for the Ducks came in the 20th minute; a quick release of the ball from Jack Hopwood found Anthony Ball free on the right side. He moved forward before initiating an attack that involved Ben Seaton and French, who passed to Ezra Anthonio-Forde 25 yards from goal; he took aim, but was unfortunate to see his shot rise over the crossbar. Seaton himself had a good chance shortly afterwards, breaking through the middle and shooting from 25 yards, but again, the shot was wayward, when perhaps a better option would have been to use his supporting team mates.
The main talking point of the game occurred in the 44th minute. Nathan Frater fouled Mark Riddick on the half way line; as the players got to their feet, Frater headbutted Riddick in the face, causing the Ducks midfielder to sustain a serious looking facial injury. After a brief melee, referee Dan England decided to show a red card to both players, much to the astonishment of the majority of those present, questioning what Riddick had done to deserve the sanction as the injured party.
Half-time: AFC Dunstable 0-0 Aylesbury
With the teams down to 10 men, more space was available on the pitch, which made the game more open in the second period. Four minutes into the second half a good low cross from the left from Jake Bewley found Seaton 10 yards from goal; he swivelled and shot on the turn, but saw his effort hit the side netting.
Seaton was playing an influential part in the attacking efforts of the Ducks and he was again the instigator, winning a tackle in midfield before finding French in space He passed forward to Tyriq Hunte, who had just replaced Pitt in attack. The centre forward held off the challenge of Sam McLelland, played a 1-2 with Anthonio-Forde before firing in a shot from 15 yards, but like Seaton before him, saw his effort hit the side netting.
In the 72nd minute, a cross-field ball found Anthony Ball wide on the right. He passed the ball inside to French 20 yards out who found Anthonio-Forde whose shot from 8 yards was saved by Jamie Head in the home goal.
For the second match running the Ducks were again indebted to Hopwood (and the woodwork!) for keeping the scores level; Lucas Kirkpatrick picked up the ball 25 yards out and fired in a fine shot that was heading towards the top corner, before Hopwood got his fingertips to the ball, diverting it onto the post, but watching on as the path of the ball saw it crash off the post on the opposite side before Jack Wood cleared for a corner.
The Ducks thought they had snatched the lead in the 76th minute, a fine pass over the head of Ryan Frater found Hunte in space, who finished clinically past Head; however, celebrations were cut short by the sight of the offside flag being raised.
Ten minutes from the close, Hercules combined with another former Duck, Jordan Frederick, who was overlapping on the right flank, but he will feel he could have done better as his shot was sliced wide of the near post. The final chance fell again to Fitzpatrick, who collected the ball on the left side, coming inside the challenge of Harry Jones before shooting across goal from 25 yards.
While the home side were definitely finished the stronger, the Ducks again showed resolute determination to hold on for their point and another clean sheet, extending their good current run of form, which has now yielded 8 points from the last 4 unbeaten matches, a great turn round of form which has seen them build a decent buffer above the relegation trap door. The next months will provide a good test of that current form, with 3 matches against teams all in or around the play off places, starting with the visit of Welwyn Garden City next Saturday.