Aylesbury United's FA Cup aspirations nearly came to a catastrophic end at the hands of UCL side Stotfold this afternoon, as the Ducks struggled to recover from the shock of a goal in two minutes.
Paul Curtis named the same line-up for the third match in a row, although there was space on the bench for new signing, former St. Albans striker Gary Cook, who, it was admitted prior to the match, was still short of match fitness.
As the supporters were still finding their places in the ground, Stotfold took the lead. Capitalising on United's slow early reactions a neat ball played into the path of Gary Walker was well controlled, and calmly finished past Jack Rashid. Appeals for an offside decision fell on deaf ears, as Stotfold took a shock early lead. 1-0 Stotfold
Rashid made an excellent save, as Walker again tried his luck, the Aylesbury stopper at full stretch managing to scramble the ball away. Aylesbury's first shot at goal came via Greg Williams, receiving the ball from Neil Champelovier he cut inside and hit a left-footed strike over the bar.
Aylesbury had struggled to get a grip on the match in the early stages, but as the half went on their familiar passing game began to emerge. It was a lack of cutting edge in the final third that was to cost them time and time again though.
Daniel Mead had a free-kick smartly stopped, and Champelovier an effort deflected, before the Ducks were forced into their first substitution. Jason Burnham replacing an apparently injured Greg Williams.
A couple more chances were squandered - Dean Powles and Leon Gutzmore both shooting straight at goalkeeper Steve Young, as Aylesbury looked odds on to score before half-time, as they dominated possession.
It was Young to the rescue for Stotfold twice in the last six first half minutes. Gutzmore broke down the left, and crossed superbly for the late arriving Dean Cracknell, who saw his shot well saved. The same combination linked-up again three minutes later, and produced a similar result. This time Young managed to tip over a fearsome Cracknell drive after Gutzmore again provided the ball.
Cracknell was in the thick of things again before the whistle went, heading over a well delivered Paul Lamb free-kick. Champelovier also volleyed the ball well over, before Mr Downey signalled for the interval.
Half-time: Stotfold 1-0 Aylesbury
The second half saw Aylesbury step up a gear, but they continued to find themselves frustrated by a combination of a lack of sharpness in front of goal, and good defending by Stotfold. Paul Edgeworth tried a left-footed shot which flew wide, and Cracknell tried for goal following a short corner, again wide.
The Ducks looked to have finally made a breakthrough after an hour?s play, as Matt Hayward came up from defence to power a header goalwards, which was somehow cleared off the line by the home side. Minutes later Powles, having probably his best game for the team, couldn't get the ball down quickly enough, and his final effort was weak.
Further chances came and went, as Cracknell headed wide, and Edgeworth slashed a shot well over the bar.
It seemed as though it just wasn't going to be United's day, and Stotfold came inches away from settling the match. A clever back-heeled shot was clawed away by Rashid, and kept from crossing the line by both he and the post. A massive let-off for the Ducks.
Paul Curtis made his final substitution, handing a debut to Garry Cook, who replaced Dean Powles after 74 minutes. Cook made himself an instant hero by heading Aylesbury level just ninety second into his first match. The ball came all the way across the pitch to Edgeworth, who took his time and delivered an excellent cross, and Cook dived onto the ball and headed into the net. 1-1
Unfortunately the debut was to be short-lived. Following a free-kick, and an incident involving Kai Ridley, the ball was despatched for Cook to run on to. Sadly running, for a player desperately short of match fitness, proved to be a step too far, and he pulled a muscle and was unable to continue. Having already used their three substitutes, Aylesbury were forced to play the remaining ten minutes (plus injury time) with ten-men.
The final stages were still exciting, as Stotfold attempted a late comeback. Ex-St. Albans midfielder Greg Deacon had a shot superbly saved by Rashid, and Steve Cook had a long distance volley easily fielded. For Aylesbury in the closing stages, Edgeworth had another wild effort which went well over.
The overwhelming emotion was relief come the final whistle, as what had been widely predicted as a banana skin fixture was overcome without defeat. United can have Gary Cook to thank for their goal, as he put his head where no other Aylesbury player had all afternoon, getting on the end of a cross and showing some conviction in front of goal.
