1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | 17, 83m | |
7 | ||
8 | ||
9 | ||
10 | 14, 77m | |
11 | 12, 89m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 11, 89m | |
14 | 10, 77m | |
15 | ||
16 | ||
17 | 6, 83m | |
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | 15, 70m | |
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | ||
16 | ||
10 | 12, 46m | |
11 | 14, 77m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 10, 46m | |
14 | 11, 77m | |
15 | 4, 70m | |
9 | ||
17 |
Just one change to the starting line up saw David Lynn restored to his holding midfield role after 7 weeks on the sidelines due to his 3-game suspension, in place of Ayman Dahdouh for this match against high flying Waltham Abbey.
Following a creditable draw at Hertford Town 3 days previously, the Ducks went into the game with memories of a famous 3-2 win when they played at the home of the Abbots earlier in the season, hoping for a similar result.
It was the hosts that were first to threaten to open the scoring, when a cross field pass from Jesse Akubuine found Prince Domafriyie wide on the right; his cross was deflected off Charley Tuttle to Jason Hallett at the far post, but his effort, under pressure from Keegan Bloom was just wide of the target.
In the 16th minute, Hallett played a pass through the defence for Ben Baker to run onto, but just as he shaped to shoot, a combination on Bloom and Jack Wood challenged to avert the danger.
Wood was the creator of the opening goal in the 26th minute, when he played a fine pass into the right channel for Brayden Daniel to chase; he outpaced the defence and reached the ball before the onrushing Bradley Robinson, nicking it past him and into the net from just outside the penalty area. 1-0 Aylesbury
Two minutes later the scores were almost level, Domafriyie collecting a ball on the right side before cutting inside Tuttle, but his shot was wide of the near post. Sopon after, Akubuine and Baker combined well, before the latter beat Bloom, but curled a right foot shot wide of the far post. With five minutes to the half time break saw Akubuine collect the ball 35 yards out; he drove towards the penalty area, with the defence backing off, before firing a shot in from 20 yards that was just wide of Callan’s right-hand post.
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Waltham Abbey
Into the second half and the visitors drew level in the 50th minute. A long clearance by Callan was headed out to Domafriyie on the right wing; he advanced and crossed to Hallett 12 yards out who planted a firm header past the Ducks custodian. 1-1
The Ducks hit back within 3 minutes to retake the lead; Jake Bewley played a ball forward to Daniel in space on the right, he beat Babadi Kamara for pace and broke into the penalty area; with a shooting opportunity available, he chose instead to pass to Ken Feyi, but the defence intercepted, but only succeeded in gifting the ball back to the winger, who lashed a first time shot into the far corner for his second of the evening. 2-1 Aylesbury
Four minutes later, a clever corner routine saw Dave Pearce find Tom Cove 15 yards out, whose goal bound volley rebounded off a defender and just cleared the crossbar.
The next visitor’s attack saw Domafriyie take advantage of some hesitant defending as the Ducks defence failed to deal with a bouncing ball; the striker latched on to the loose ball and lashed a shot from 15 yards, which Callan did well to block with his body.
Just past the hour mark, Pearce did well on the right wing and crossed to Feyi, but his header glanced wide of the far post. With 15 minutes left on the clock, Baker took a free kick wide on the right, which was met by Kamara, but his header was well claimed by Callan.
In the 78th minute, Lynn was challenged late by Akubuine, but instead of blowing for a free kick, referee Zach Cunningham played a very good advantage, seeing the ball break to Cove just outside the penalty area; he showed great composure to wrong foot Robinson and his defenders, before calmly placing the ball into net to extend the lead. 3-1 Aylesbury
Despite having a 2-goal lead, the Ducks had to defend for their lives to maintain the lead; in the 81st minute and overhit cross from Baker on the left was collected on the right edge of the penalty area and passed to Aaron Eyoma just outside the area. His shot beat Callan, but Wood was there to save his team again, with a fantastic goal line clearance.
With 5 minutes added time to play, the visitors pressed hard and were rewarded in the 93rd minute, when a freekick from deep was cleared as far as Baker, he drilled a low cross which was met by Usman Temitope 6 yards out to sidefoot home and reduce the arrears. 3-2
Despite the late scare, the Ducks held out to record the double over the visitors, mirroring the scoreline form the first meeting, with all 6 Ducks goals over the 2 games scored by players under 21 years old, a sure sign that if you are good enough, you are old enough! Attention now turns to Saturday’s fixture at home to a North Leigh side which has been decimated by players leaving the squad recently due to financial problems. Despite losing quite heavily in the early games after the exodus, they have picked up some form of late, only losing their last game against Ware to 2 late goals. The Ducks will know they can’t underestimate the challenge on the day, as they continue the fight to pull away from the relegation places at the foot of the league.