On the Ducks' return to Chesham after victory at Hadley on Saturday, it was a tough contest against Waltham Abbey as Aylesbury United went three goals down in the first half; great character and perseverance was shown from the home side who managed to score 2 in the second but could not find the equaliser. These goals from James Bone and Finlay Reeves sadly could not undo the damage dealt from the visitors in front of a crowd of 127.

United suffered an unfortunate injury setback before the tie began as Jack Wood picked up a knee injury in the warmup, Kian Henry entered the side to replace the captain, best wishes Jack!

Waltham Abbey threatened the home defence from the beginning as their first attack smashed off the crossbar. Similarly, Finlay Reeves had a great opportunity to put the Ducks ahead inside 2 minutes, but his powerful drive from just outside the penalty area just cleared the bar.

Waltham Abbey took the lead in the 10th minute, after great attacking play from their frontline; Bailey Stevenson was able to cut inside Lee Stobbs and neatly curl his shot from 15 yards into the far corner past Jack Hopwood. 0 - 1

Aylesbury responded with more runs through their midfield but to no avail as the visiting defence proved too strong for the Aylesbury attack. A free kick was won outside the box for United despite calls for a penalty kick; George Cleveland tried an ambitious shot from out wide, but his effort flew over the bar.

Waltham Abbey continued to look dangerous and were able to double their lead in the 25th minute. A cross came in from deep on the right side which fell to Benjamin Baker unmarked at the far-post, the shot was volleyed through the legs of Jack Hopwood to put three points into the sight of the away team. 0 - 2

Waltham Abbey had another great opportunity to extend their lead shortly after, but the shot went wide of the goal. However, a 3rd goal wasn’t far away, as a powerful shot from distance met the hands of Hopwood, but the ball rebounded off the hands of the home keeper, allowing a rebound opportunity which fell at the foot of Lewis Taaffe who tapped it in to make a comeback seem even more unlikely. 0 - 3

United’s defence had struggled to deal with the away team’s deliveries into the box throughout the first period. Another deep cross allowed for a headed chance but the thankfully for the Ducks, it was headed wide. Hopwood then tipped another effort over the bar before a corner was whipped in and found an unmarked Waltham Abbey forward once more, but Hopwood produced a cinematic save to keep the deficit at 3-0. The corner that the tipped-over shot produced was whipped in, and all to similarly an unmarked attacker was able to get their head on it but the chance went wide.

Just before the break, George Cleveland made a darting run down the flank, he squared the ball into the feet of Finlay who fired it over the bar. It was a tough first half for the Ducks, not many chances in the opposition half, or touches in the opposition box for that matter – United certainly had work to do in the second half.

Only three minutes into the second half, Frankie Bircham sadly picked up a knock and was replaced by Sonny French; this change was followed by another, as Adam Martin made way for the entrance of Ike Okwusogu. Lee Stobbs delivered a dangerous free kick which went without a finishing touch, then Cleveland threaded a ball through to the feet of Finlay, whose shot was saved well by Bradley Robinson; the attacking changes had clearly helped. Cleveland then tested Robinson himself with a free kick from the edge of the area, which stung the keeper’s gloves; a very good chance for United who were slowly building the pressure.

Aylesbury’s breakthrough came in the 72nd minute from James Bone. Cleveland had another free kick opportunity; his shot was parried by the keeper to Archie Quinlan; Archie sent the ball back towards goal meeting James Bone who smashed it over the line. 1 - 3

Chase Matthew and Wil Turner were then introduced, replacing Lee Stobbs and Rocko Tamplin. United soon had the opportunity to reduce the deficit further as a penalty was awarded to the home side! Finlay Reeves emphatically buried the ball into the net; 2 - 3

Aylesbury had a real chance here for another amazing comeback, similar to the victory against Sittingbourne in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round. Archie Quinlan was pushed up front to find an equaliser; he found himself through on goal but could not quite get the ball under control and get his shot away. Shortly after down the other end, Hopwood made another great save to keep the contest alive. Six minutes of added time offered a final opportunity to share the points between the two sides, but Waltham Abbey were able to keep the ball well and stop any last attacks and momentum. The visiting team were able to see the game out without conceding a third goal. The Ducks showed great character to lessen the deficit to one goal after being 3 goals down but defensive issues right from the start of the fixture unfortunately proved to be the difference in this contest.