For the season's opener at Hitchin Town's Top Field, striker Kevin Davies was away on holiday and midfielder Gary Smith was ruled out through suspension. In the Ducks new look side no fewer than seven players made their Club debuts.

In the early minutes Kieran Gallagher's right wing cross was headed just wide by lone target man Matt Carmichael, whilst Hitchin's John Coley did the same at the other end. After 12 minutes Justin Skinner floated over a deep cross for Carmichael to head on goal, but keeper James Robinson got down to save.

By the midway point United had built up a clear advantage in terms of chances. Robinson again denied Carmichael, and both Robert Sharpe and Matt Hayward had efforts blocked.

On 24 minutes Stacy Joseph, who'd earlier taken a knock, had to be replaced by Luke Longman and within a couple of minutes he tried his luck with a low curling twenty yard shot which Pearce held onto.

But after 28 minutes Hitchin took the lead. From a touched on free kick Coley crossed to the far post where former Luton winger Godfrey Ingram headed in via a post. The advantage had a telling effect on Hitchin, and with the prompting of joint manager Micky Hazard, they caused United's back line a few anxious moments.

Left back Skinner blotted his copybook with a late tackle on Ingram which earned him a yellow card, then Swale put Parker in the clear after 35 minutes but Gary Phillips raced out of his area to hack clear.

Two minutes later Michael Danzey threaded a delightful pass through to Carmichael who saw his first time turning shot deflect off Robinson.

Trailing to Ingram's first half goal, United's cause was hampered further after 63 minutes when a late tackle by Skinner on Coley resulted in a second yellow followed by the red card to reduce his side to ten men. Aylesbury's reshuffle had a telling effect on the balance of play and Hitchin went on to dominate the remainder.

On 66 minutes a low Anderson cross found Coley who hit the Ducks crossbar from close range. A minute later Barry Dellar steamed in to round Phillips, ignored the attentions of Mark Newson, and slotted into the net to put Hitchin 2-0 in front.

With United's defence having to push up in order to try to get something out of the game, gaps were always going to appear. Danzey moved up into attack with Sharpe dropping back to cover. Apart from a Longman cross being headed down and wide by Carmichael, Hitchin capitalised on the extra man at will.

Anderson put Coley clear but he wasted a great opportunity by shooting well wide, and Anderson did exactly the same with only Phillips to beat. On 87 minutes United's defence was exposed again as Anderson had acres of space but Phillips made an excellent parry from his close range volley.

In the closing minutes United hit back. Firstly Sullivan volleyed wide from a good position, then Sharpe passed to Carmichael who struck a low drive beyond Robinson to score on his debut.

Deep into injury time Sharpe crossed, Danzey outjumped the defence to head on target, but the goalbound effort was blocked by Hazard.

In terms of chances Aylesbury were unlucky not to get a point, although it would have been hard justice on Hitchin.