• Matches
• Table

loading...

loading...

On the Ducks first trip to Willenhall Town for 30-years, Jon Franklin got his first win as manager of the club with a 2-0 victory at Noose Lane.

In truth Willenhall were a poor side, but that shouldn't detract from a solid performance from Aylesbury, on a heavy pitch which made their passing game difficult to play.

The match was lacking on entertainment, particularly in the opening exchanges, and the closest to a goal in the first ten minutes was a cross-cum-shot from Matt Butler.

But then the visitors sprung their first attack, and scored from it. A fantastic ball from Butler released Richard Pringle who managed to shoot whilst stretching and delicately lift the ball over James Pemberton. 1-0 Aylesbury

Conditions dictated a long-ball style from both sides, with driving rain and a swirling wind making any kind of swish football virtually impossible in the first half.

Pringle went close again in the 20th minute when an Aylesbury throw-in was inadvertently flicked into his path by a Willenhall defender, but his hooked effort dropped agonisingly over the bar.

In terms of goal chances, only two followed in the remaining 25 first half minutes, as the conditions and seemingly continuous fouls being awarded meant a stop-start match.

Nando Perna dribbled into the area and placed a shot disappointingly over the bar, before a minute later Kieron Murphy broke from full-back, curling an effort wide having cut inside.

Half-Time: Willenhall 0-1 Aylesbury

The Reds hadn't mustered a single effort on goal in the first half, and they quickly set about making amends after the interval as Aylesbury had to withstand some heavy pressure.

Twice Matthew Biddle went close, firstly with a headed effort having been picked out with a driven cross, then 30 seconds later he skewed a shot well side after the ball had skimmed off Matt Butler's head to him.

Willenhall's best chance came in the 51st minute, but the hosts were kept at bay by the smart reactions of Tom Vincent. A header from Michael Eagles was initially well saved, but the second stop was even better to tip the follow-up shot over the bar.

Aylesbury made two substitutions to try and inject some life back into their side, and the introduction of Andy Shed for his debut as a substitute did just that. Shed looked lively, with his trickery on the ball and good positioning a big threat in the final quarter of the game.

Having weathered the storm of Willenhall pressure, and with the introduction of Shed, the match swung back in United's favour, and they duly doubled their lead. A fine through ball found the run of Pringle, and he took his time and picked his spot. Although Pemberton got fingertips to the ball, he couldn't prevent it finding the net. 2-0 Aylesbury

Willenhall looked to hit back immediately though, and Vincent made another great double-save from a goalmouth scramble, before the ball was eventually scrambled away.

There was to be little further threat from the home side however, as Aylesbury effectively closed down the game and indeed could have added to their lead had it not been for the good work of Pemberton in Willenhall's goal.

Pringle had a great chance for his hat-trick, having been put through by Swonnell, but his shot into the far side of the goal was superbly tipped wide.

The resulting corner kick was headed back into the area, where Andy Shed controlled and performed an acrobatic effort, which was comfortably held by Pemberton this time.

Pringle was booked for an altercation with an opponent, before he was taken off to a warm reception by the traveling faithful, to be replaced by Craig Henney.

Henney it was who set up United's next chance, as he did well to flick the ball on for fellow substitute Aston Goss, but he couldn't generate enough power in his header and the ball went through to the keeper.

Willenhall summed up their afternoon when, with two minutes remaining, the ball ran through to Paul Warren and from 5-yards out he fired straight at Vincent and the game finished 2-0, Aylesbury scoring their first three points of the season.