The first half of the Aylesbury-Kingstonian double bill began with the Ducks in good form, having gained ten points from four games, including the excellent 3-1 derby win over Chesham. This was in stark contrast to Kingstonian?s form, as the home side had failed to win in their last five games. Oddly, their last win was also at Chesham ? a 4-0 victory at The Meadow on the 29th March.

Inevitably, considering the hectic nature of the season?s final stages, manager Steve Cordery made no less than five changes to the side that had gained maximum points over the Easter weekend. Greg Williams, Alex Stanley, Ben Martin, Kezie Ibe and Roni Joe came in at the expense of Phil Dicker, Steve McGrath, Adam Campion, Craig Maskell and the injured Michael Harper.

The Ducks made the better start to the match, and Greg Williams curled a decent effort over the bar with his left foot in the opening minutes. Kezie Ibe had a few half-chances. First, he stabbed wide from Roni Joe?s cross, before running at the Kingstonian defence a couple of minutes later only to place his low shot wide from the edge of the box. Ibe then met a low cross from Dwayne Plummer at the near post, but couldn?t direct his effort towards the goal.

Two first half injuries perhaps turned the game in Kingstonian?s favour. Firstly, Ben Martin was forced off after only twenty minutes, to be replaced by Adam Campion, as the Ducks reverted to a 4-4-2 formation. The next injury victim, on the half-hour mark, was Kezie Ibe, and this was where the problems really started. With Ibe off the pitch and Aylesbury temporarily playing with ten men, the home side took the lead through Tim Sills, who overpowered a Ducks defender before crashing past Lee Worgan. 1-0 Kingstonian.

Within seconds, Joe Baker replaced Ibe. He was quickly involved as he was played into a dangerous position by a good ball from fellow substitute Campion. Unfortunately, Baker could only hit the side netting. This was Aylesbury?s last chance of the first half as Kingstonian began to gain control.

The dangerous Sills could have had a hat-trick by half time for the home side. First, he mishit a volley following a corner, which Worgan comfortably dealt. However, Sills would have expected to do better with his next chance, as he blazed a volley over the bar from no more than six yards. The final chance of the half again fell to Sills, but this time he headed over the bar.

The first chance of the second period fell to the Ducks, as a Richard Gell corner was met at the near post by Fiston Manuella, but the big midfielder failed to make proper contact with the ball and it drifted harmlessly away from goal.

Kingstonian, however, continued to look as though they might extend their lead. Lee Worgan made his best save of the night as he denied Tim Sills. Grant Payne then shot high and wide as he tried to join his strike partner on the scoresheet.

Aylesbury finally forced K?s keeper Andrew Jones into action, as he denied first Joe Baker from a freekick, and then Greg Williams. Unfortunately, Aylesbury were forced into resorting to long-range efforts, as they were struggling to get behind the home defence. One long-range effort from Campion flew just over the bar, before both he and Kingstonian?s James Pinnonck were booked following a bit of a fracas.

On 70 minutes, Craig Maskell replaced the quiet Dwayne Plummer as the Ducks looked for the elusive equaliser.

Aylesbury were by now looking more threatening, as a header from Roni Joe and a 30-yard effort from Richard Gell were both just off-target. Craig Maskell showed some good skill to create a shooting position for himself, but unfortunately his right-footed shot was wayward. The last real opportunity for a leveller fell to Joe Baker, but unfortunately for Aylesbury the narrow angle favoured the goalkeeper, and Jones stood up well to deny the Ducks one last time.

A slightly disappointing result, but Aylesbury can consider themselves unlucky, with the early injuries having a big impact on the result. Having said that, Kingstonian were undoubtedly worth their three points, and they could have scored more. Hopefully, Aylesbury?s luck will improve for the reverse fixture on Saturday.