After a disappointing performance against Thurrock the week before, and the Bryco Cup exit at the hands of Basingstoke Town in midweek,
Kevin Wilson's side were faced with the prospect of Maidenhead United, a team who had suffered a similar fate to us at the start of the sason. Alan Devonshire left for pastures new of Hampton, and took with him many of Maidenhead's squad of last season.
Not taking Tuesday's 'Reserve Game' into account, Kevin Wilson made two changes from the team which played against Thurrock. Gareth Risbridger came into midfield for Adam Campion, with Greg Williams moving out to the right flank. New signing Mark Reed started up front, in place of Alvin Bubb.
The Ducks looked lively at the start of the match. First Matt Glynn headed a Reed cross well over the bar, before Greg Williams saw a left-footed volley sail over.
Reed then broke free, after being released by Glynn, but his first touch was rather loose, giving keeper Nick Hart the opportunity to race off his line. The keeper apparently took his man, and Reed went down. The referee pointed in the direction of the goal area, and a penalty was the assumed decision. However, the man in blank produced a yellow card for Reed for diving, and awarded a goal kick.
Against the general run of play, and with their first move forward, Maidenhead took the lead. A long-ball was allowed to bounce, and Kevin Davies made a horrible misjudgement, and allowed the ball to bounce over him. The ever-alert Lawrence Yaku seized onto the ball and passed it into the empty net, to the despair of Davies. 1-0 Maidenhead
Aylesbury still looked a threat when going forward though, as Lynch headed an effort into the side-netting from a deep free-kick, and Reed fired a shot over after some good link-up play between the two strikers.
It came as little surprise when Aylesbury equalised after 36-minutes. Reed was played through superbly, and he cut inside to create his shooting angle, before slotting past Hart. 1-1
Sadly, just as against Thurrock, the Ducks proceeded to throw away their hard work, as they gifted Maidenhead another goal. A straightforward ball into the box wasn't dealt with at all, as Davies left it for the defence, and the defence left it for Davies. Steve Hale nipped in and finished coolly. 2-1 Maidenhead
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-2 Maidenhead
The second half was disappointing to say the least. The rain that had fallen in the first half had increased to a steady shower, making conditions hard going.
The eventful first half had disappeared, and been replaced by a side chasing a goal-deficit against a team that had practically shut-up shop. Gone was the skill and good link-up play of the first half, as United's attack was well neutralised by Maidenhead.
Darren Lynch did have a good header, from a corner, saved early in the half. This really was as good as it got for the Ducks, as the only other chance of the half also fell to Lynch, as he went for goal alone but could only find the side-netting from a tight angle.
To make a miserable afternoon even more miserable Maidenhead added another two-minutes from time. A very offside looking Yaku calmly slotted the ball past Davies. 3-1 Maidenhead
