Aylesbury travelled to Harrow, without a league win in 6 weeks, desperate to provide a good performance. And so it proved. The Ducks played their socks off, in their best showing for a long time.
An interesting tactical switch seemed to pay dividends as the Ducks managed to play the game at their pace, and had long periods of posession. Steve Cordery decided to play Kezie Ibe as a lone front man, with a 5 man midfield consisting of Campion, Fist, Hunter, Baker and Maskell, all who had license to join attacks.
Anyway the match started brightly for the Ducks (when don't they?!?). A Maskell shot was saved by Mali international keeper Keita Karamoko, following some nice play by Kezie Ibe. A great run and cross by Adam Campion was easily dealt with at the near post by Harrow's keeper. A long distance free-kick from Harrow's number 3 was always going wide, in a rare Harrow attempt on goal.
Some more promising Ducks football resulted in a few dangerous whipped crosses being played into the box. Unfortunately the big man striker is missing from our squad, so the chances went begging. A Joe Baker run and cross soon after skimmed off Ibe's foot and into Karamoko's grateful hands.
With the Ducks enjoying more posession chances were starting to become more regular. A quickly taken free-kick was played to Ibe, and his quick turn and shot went just wide of the far post. A low drive from Joe Baker was placed straight at the keeper, as the chances kept coming. A powerful run from the impressive Rory Hunter only resulted in his pass to Ibe being lost, as the striker couldn't gather the ball in.
Harrow suddenly found themselves in the lead, after 36 minutes, and totally against the run of play. From a corner, the ball fell to Terry Back look-alike number 8, and his mis-hit shot bobbled into the path of a Harrow player. His shot was saved by Chris Day, but the ball bounced free, and No 8 was waiting to push it in. Lucky lucky Harrow. 1-0 Harrow
The Ducks almost got back on terms just before half time, as first an excellent Maskell run didn't get the finish it deserved from the man with the golden touch. Then a Maskell through ball put Kezie Ibe clear of the defence, but his tame shot was saved by Karamoko, and pushed wide.
Half-time: 1-0
The second half started quietly, with the Ducks still enjoying the majority of posession. A quality Ibe effort was just reached by Karamoko after some excellent build-up play involving Baker.
After 69 minutes the Ducks got the goal their pressure deserved. A Baker free-kick was sent down the right wing to Craig Maskell, who whipped in a first time cross with his right foot. The ball was cleared by the home defence, straight to Richard Horner, who brought it down and hit a clean half-volley into the bottom corner. Cue scenes of Ducks frenzy... 1-1
Roni Joe replaced Campion after 74 minutes.
Unfortunately, the equal scoreline didn't last two long. An exceptional Harrow ball over the top, dropped over the defence. In his desperation Greg Williams extended a leg, and managed to toe the ball over Chris Day and into the goal. 2-1 Harrow
Again, the scoreline didn't last long, as the Ducks were level again within 2 minutes. The lively Roni Joe wowed everyone with an amazing bit of skill, as he flicked the ball up and over a defender to beat his man. After accelarating as only Roni can, he delivered a deep cross to the far post, where Joe Baker was waiting un-marked. He didn't even need to jump, only flex his neck muscles. 2-2
And that's how it stayed. Risbridger returned from injury to replace Baker for 2 minutes at the end. But the Ducks left Earlsmead feeling that had they converted their chances, then victory could have been theirs. Instead a hard earned point, and an entertaining match.
