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Match Report

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Following on from Tuesday's dramatic first win of 2004, the Ducks were back in action against a Solihull side who had enjoyed a 5-0 thrashing of Hemel and a 2-1 defeat at Chippenham in their opening fixtures. United made one change - bringing in Jason Burnham at left-back for his debut, with Daniel Mead slotting into midfield.

After an early wide free-kick and tame effort from the visitors, Solihull had another goalbound effort, as Mark Faulds came forward, but his weak effort was easily held by Jack Rashid. Aaron Farrell followed suit with a similar shot, a poor effort which trickled through to the goalkeeper.

Having survived the early pressure, United started to impose their authority on the game. Neil Champelovier broke free down the right of the penalty area, but shot over, and Paul Edgeworth stole onto a poor goal-kick, but rushed his shot and fired too high the bar.

Four minutes later and Solihull survived a seemingly valid penalty appeal from Aylesbury, with a defender appearing to hand-ball in the area. The home side, aided by the excellent display of midfielder Dean Cracknell, were dominating the match. Leon Gutzmore, so effective at holding the ball up, spread the play out wide to Daniel Mead, whose pacey cross was volleyed well over by Edgeworth.

Aylesbury did manage to make their dominance count though, taking the lead in the 34th minute. The excellent Cracknell sidestepped his marker in the box, before hanging up an inviting cross for Matt Hayward to head into the back of the net. 1-0 Aylesbury

It always looked set to stay that way with eleven minutes remaining of the half, as a ragged looking Solihull struggled to create chances. What little they did make was wasted, as Farrell his another weak effort which was easily gathered by Rashid.

Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Solihull

The second half soon became a scrappy affair, as United, perhaps tiring, never reached the same level of the first half. Farrell his another weak effort for Solihull, before Rashid denied them their best chance of the match, with the Ducks going to sleep. A superb ball flighted in from deep was headed goalwards by Matt Hawker, and tipped over brilliantly by Rashid.

Although scrappy, there were chances for both sides throughout the second half. An inadvertant header backwards was seized upon and volleyed wide by Edgeworth, and Nick Amos headed a cross over when well placed for Solihull. Edgeworth was causing trouble again soon after, chipping a delicate shot just wide.

Aylesbury's best second-half chance came through Cracknell, who was on the end of a flowing counter-attacking move. The classy midfielder was released by Leon Gutzmore, and his well placed early shot was well saved by the advancing Solihull goalkeeper, Chris Taylor.

The visitors had two final chances as the game came to an end. Substitute Martin Hier hit a free-kick which crept under the wall, but flashed past the post, and Guy Hadland saw an effort held by Rashid, as Aylesbury ensured there was to be no late drama in this match!

The referee blew for full-time, and Aylesbury ascended the league table 10th position, winning back to back games for the first time since April 2003. The only sour point of an otherwise good afternoon for Aylesbury United was the disappointing turnout of 264. After two wins hopefully the crowds will soon return.