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Season Reviews

2004/05

Welcome to the review of season 2004/05, another exciting twelve months in the history of our great club. As ever there were highs and lows, joy and despair, excitement and tension. Here we take a look back at them all...

After the debacle that was the previous season, 2004/05 was viewed as little more than a consolidation effort for the club. It is a measure of how far Aylesbury United have come then, as in May we look back at narrowly missing out on the play-offs and a Berks & Bucks Cup Final defeat. Although a feeling of disappointment now lingers around Buckingham Road, this season has been a massive success.

A Mixed Start

Manager Paul Curtis had been busy recruiting players during the Summer months, and Aylesbury fielded five debutants in the disappointing opening day defeat at Halesowen Town. Narrow wins over Hitchin, Solihull and Rugby were to follow though and give a sense of optimism.

After a home defeat to Stamford and an away Bank Holiday win at Hemel Hempstead, Curtis enjoyed his finest game in charge of the Green & Whites. Pre-season League favourites Tiverton Town were the visitors to Buckingham Road, but in a superb display Aylesbury stormed into a 3-0 lead, before a late consolation made it 3-1.

That win took United to their highest League position - 3rd spot, and there was real belief that the season could see a real promotion challenge take shape. Sadly United went on to lose their next three League games - against eventual Champions Histon, an awful 2-1 defeat at Team Bath, and at home to Bath City.

There was some respite in the FA Cup, although after a 6-0 win at Cornard United, Aylesbury never truly reached full potential and struggled to beat Stotfold after a replay, before crashing out to Ashford Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round.

Prior to the game with Ashford, Aylesbury had drawn 1-1 at lowly Stamford, and with the pressure mounting on Curtis a dire 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Hemel Hempstead Town proved the final straw, and he resigned citing a lack of support.

Step Forward Danny Nicholls

Assistant Manager Danny Nicholls was handed the reigns on a caretaker basis, and he led United to a superb 1-0 win at Chippenham Town in his first game. Performances improved greatly, although consistency was lacking at times. A defeat at home to Cirencester was the team's only loss in Nicholls' first five games in charge.

Nicholls moved quickly to strengthen the squad, snapping up Liam Folds and Gavin Jaggard, with the latter scoring two on his debut at Grantham Town. Youngster Colin Baker was promoted from the Reserve Team, and he netted on his full debut in a draw at Banbury United, and the Ducks began their FA Trophy campaign with a 2-1 win over Solihull Borough.

At the end of November the club's 'United For Aylesbury Day' attracted the biggest crowd of the season, as 1006 saw the Ducks lose 1-3 against Histon, although Dean Cracknell's opening strike was worthy of the attendance. Progress was continued in the FA Trophy also, as former manager Steve Cordery's Staines Town were knocked out in a dramatic game at Wheatsheaf Lane.

Nicholls was quickly appointed as permanent manager, and Aylesbury were steadily climbing up the league table as justification. Losing only once in December, a Boxing Day win over local rivals Chesham saw United move up to fifth in the table, and put themselves amongst the play-off chasers going into the second half of the season.

December also marked the signing of Drew Roberts, a striker who had been prolific with Bedford Town the previous season, but had struggled since joining Kettering in the Summer. After four games to settle in, he opened his account with a hat-trick against Dunstable, and two in the next game against Grantham.

An FA Trophy upset was caused in January when United knocked out Conference side Forest Green Rovers, as a Dean Cracknell wonder-goal and a Leon Gutzmore effort gave Aylesbury a 2-1 win. Unfortunately they couldn't overcome Canvey Island in the Fourth Round, but it had been another successful season in the competition.

League results continued to be inconsistent, but remained in the top six throughout February and March, with excellent away wins over Hitchin and Hednesford aiding their cause. Unfortunately home form wasn't as impressive, as Team Bath left with a 2-1 win, and King's Lynn sent United crashing to a 4-1 defeat.

So Near, So Far

A derby win at Chesham United, and home draw with Bedford Town had sent Aylesbury into April sitting in Fifth place in the League. Play-off qualification was still in their hands, and the club were still in the Berks & Bucks Cup having beaten Bracknell Town in the Quarter Final.

A very poor 3-0 defeat in glorious sunshine at Cirencester Town was followed by better news as the Ducks beat Chesham for the third time of the season to book a Berks & Bucks Cup Final with Wycombe Wanderers at the end of the season.

Play-off chances were boosted once again with an excellent 3-2 win at home to Chippenham Town, but three defeats in the final three games - 1-0 at King's Lynn, 4-1 against Hednesford Town at home and 2-0 away at Bath City - meant there was to be no play-offs for the Ducks as the team ran out of steam.

The Berks & Bucks Cup Final was welcome relief after a gruelling season as Aylesbury enjoyed a day out at The Causeway Stadium. The Ducks ran their League Two opponents close in an exciting game, which finished 3-2 to Wycombe Wanderers, after Roberts scored twice to take his tally to 13 goals in 22 games.

Looking Ahead

Aylesbury proved throughout the campaign that they can compete with the best, having beaten the League leaders on four occasions (Chippenham twice, Merthyr Tydfil and Halesowen), as well as the victory over Forest Green and narrow defeats against Canvey Island and Wycombe Wanderers.

With Danny Nicholls having committed his future to the club, and a number of choice signings in the Summer, the club will be well placed to build on this season and push-on for an even better 2005/06.

Luke Brown - May 2005