Aylesbury continued their unwanted tradition of losing their final Saturday home game of the season, conceding four goals in the fixture for the third year in five - Staines Town and Oxford City the inflictors of previous big defeats on the same day, in 2000 and 2001 respectively.
The result put pay to any final play-off hopes harboured by the Ducks, and in spectacular style to as Hednesford scored four of what can only be described as soft goals. Concession of such goals has dogged United's season, and once more proved to be their downfall.
Omens were good to begin with, with Aylesbury dominating the first half-hour of the match. Daniel French hit the side-netting in the first five minutes with a fierce strike. Some great play by the winger and Daniel Mead down the left brought about a cross from the full-back, which Paul Edgeworth met but guided wide of the far-post.
The alert Jamie Kearns then picked out French to put him in behind the defence with a clever pass, but the flamboyant winger went for power with his effort, and hit the side-netting for the second time. The same player then lashed a volley over the bar minutes later.
Hednesford rarely threatened as United controlled the game for the first thirty minutes, although one long-range shot from Steve Brannan was straight at Jack Rashid.
Aylesbury's good start was rewarded after twenty-five minutes. A raking through-ball by Paul Lamb allowed Drew Roberts to burst through and poke the ball past Ryan Young. 1-0 Aylesbury
Following the goal United were unable to further assert themselves on the game, and Hednesford fought back strongly. Lee Williams blazed a volley over the bar, and a Chris Brindley back-header had to be well tipped over by Rashid.
Three minutes later the scores were level. Richard Teesdale rose unchallenged at the near post to glance Williams' corner into the net. 1-1
Hednesford completed the turnaround on the stroke of half-time. Anthony Maguire, who had a sighter moments earlier, struck a firm half-volley which deceived Rashid and crept into the bottom corner. 2-1 Hednesford
Half-time: Aylesbury 1-2 Hednesford
The visitors managed to stop Aylesbury find their rythm in the second half, with the fluidity of the opening spell gone completely. Player-manager Brindley headed Williams' free-kick narrowly over the bar, whilst at the other end substitute Neil Lazarus cut inside but had a left-foofted shot easily held.
Jamie Kearns shot over the bar, feeding off Liam Folds touch-back. Andrew Hodges then had a header deflected wide from a corner, as the minutes passed with a frustrating lack of progress on Aylesbury's part.
The sucker punch came with twenty minutes remaining, as Hednesford scored a third. It was another simple goal - Brindley flicking on a throw-in at the near-post, and with both centre-backs drawn towards the ball Paul McMahon had the easy task of stooping to nod home at the far-post. 3-1 Hednesford
Further disappointment was heaped on the home side when the visitors scored another in the last ten minutes. Brindley rose superbly at the far post to guide a strong header past Rashid, and send his side into the final league game looking good for a play-off spot. 4-1 Hednesford
The introduction of Colin Baker and John De Souza added some late spark to Aylesbury's attack, De Souza released Baker for a one-on-one chance, but Young was up to the test and comfortably fielded Baker's shot.
With defeat came massive disappointment, as the Ducks will now travel to Bath City with effectively nothing to play for. Mathematically play-off qualification is still possible however - all United have to do is win by more than fourteen goals and hope all other contenders lose!
Here's to the Berks & Bucks Final then...
