Hot on the heels of the defeat at newly promoted Stotfold, the Ducks welcomed last season’s Spartan League champions Leighton Town to the Meadow for the first home league match of the season. Jack Wells reacted to the defeat on Saturday by setting up with a 4-man defence, with Daryl Bryan-Samuels playing at right back in place of Jack Empson, with David Lynn dropping out through injury. Rocko Tamplin dropped to the bench, replaced in an attacking midfield role by Ollie Jovanovic.

From the start, a strong Leighton side were on the attack, with the Ducks indebted to skipper Jack Wood who blocked a goal bound shot from Finlay Brennan in the first minute. Five minutes later, Louie Barrett got past Jake Bewley on the right flank and crossed to the near post, where Albie Hall got to the ball first, but could only direct his effort into the side netting. If those were warning shots, the Ducks failed to listen and were punished in the 8th minute. Brennan beat Bryan-Samuels on the left and flashed a low cross into the 6-yard box, which went all the way to Barrett at the far post, who side footed past James Callan. 1-0 Leighton

Similar to the first half on Saturday, the action was mainly in the Ducks half, with Callan being kept busy. A long ball from ex-Duck George Joyce was chased to the by line by Barrett, who crossed to Hall who saw his header well saved by Callan. Two minutes later a short goal kick to Romario Rowe saw him pressured by Hall, forcing him to mis kick back towards Callan; Hall pounced on the under-hit pass, but could only steer his shot wide of the far post with the goal gaping. The first chance for the Ducks came in the 19th minute; Tyriq Hunte passed to Jovanovic wide on the left, he cut inside Joyce and shot towards goal, forcing Xavi Comas into a smart save. Two minutes later the lead was doubled. Luke Pyman won the ball in midfield from Lewis Crosbie and advanced towards the penalty area before firing the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Callan helpless. 2-0 Leighton

Shortly afterwards a long ball cleared Rowe allowing Hall to cut in on goal; his shot from 10 yards was well saved by Callan low at the near post. On the half hour, a cross from the right saw Hall outjump both Rowe and Callan, but he could only direct his header wide of the post. As the Ducks faithful were thinking that they had escaped without conceding again, Leighton notched a third goal just before the break. Again, it was a goal of their own making as Owen James lost the ball 35 yards out, the ball was passed forward to Pyman who, like his first goal, struck an unerring shot into the net from the edge of the penalty area. 3-0 Leighton

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-3 Leighton

Into the second half and the Ducks made two changes after an hour, with James and Jovanovic replaced by Tamplin and Jonas Kalonda. Hopes of a resurgence were almost short lived, as a poor defensive header fell to Hall 20 yards out, but he shot wide of the goal.

The Ducks did get a helping hand in the 66th minute as Brennan was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, the referee showing consistency after showing a yellow to Jovanovic shortly before for the same offence. Despite this, the Ducks contrived to hand a fourth goal to the visitors, as an under hit back pass from Bryan-Samuels sold Callan short; under a challenge from James Sage, Callan could only direct the ball into the path of Pyman 8 yards out, who gleefully fired home his hat trick goal. 4-0 Leighton

After scoring in each of his last 3 games, Wood almost scored another 2 minutes later; a corner from Dave Pearce was met by the skipper, but his header was cleared off the line. Undeterred, Wood did in fact notch his fourth goal in as many games two minutes later. A good passing move involving Kalonda and Tamplin found substitute 'Juice' James, whose shot was well saved. From the corner kick the ball cleared everyone in the 6-yard box and falling to the skipper at the far post who volleyed home. 1-4

With four minutes remaining Tamplin did well on the right, finding Hunte in a forward position; the ball fell to Kalonda whose left foot shot was well saved by Comas. As added on time ticked by the Ducks got a consolation second goal, and a good one it was. A poor defensive header found ‘Juice’ James 35 yards out. He controlled the ball well on his chest and took it past 3 defenders before curling a shot into the far corner of the net. 2-4

It is clear where the issues lie for the Ducks, conceding goals far too frequently, which all too often so far have been caused by defensive errors, the task ahead needs some defensive solidity and confidence to play the game that the manager requires. The games continue to offer challenges, none more so than the visit of Clevedon Town in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Friday 18th, kick off 7.45.