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Match Report

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Aylesbury took on Wycombe in the Berks & Bucks Cup for the third year running, and came close to forcing the match into extra time. Only a 92nd minute bundled finish from striker Fola Onibuje was the difference as the Ducks did themselves proud with another fine defensive display.

It wasn't all about defence though, and the Greens had the first chance of the game when the returning Leon Gutzmore linked up with Smyth down the right. The latter's cross fell at the feet of Enzo Silvestri, but his shot was straight at keeper Jamie Young.

Wanderers' class difference certainly showed, their ability to pass the ball around the pitch was on a different level to Aylesbury's, but they lacked the cutting edge or inventiveness to really prise the Ducks open.

Onibuje had a difficult night as the lone front-man. The 6' 6" striker might have done better after 14 minutes when a weak punch by Tom Vincent presented him with a chance, but he headed over.

It was all Wycombe for the opening twenty minute period as they kept the ball well and put Aylesbury under serious pressure, without creating that many chances. Midfielder Chris Palmer drew a save from Vincent when he got on the end of a driven long ball, VIncent diving to his right to gather in the ball.

The Ducks had a chance of their own when the front-two of Gutzmore and Mealor combined before the latter went for goal with a left-footed half volley, easily held by Young.

The hosts were growing more desperate in their attempts to break through a stubborn Aylesbury defence, and the game degenerated into a scrappy affair, Wycombe having abandoned their passing game for a long ball style looking for Onibuje. Such a ploy would have been appropriate, but the ratio of headers won was far too low for a player who towered above his marker, man of the match Nathan Liburd.

With five minutes remaining of an even first half, United tried to assert a bit of pressure on Wycombe's goal. A cross was only half-cleared as far as Silvestri, but he placed his effort wide.

A minute later Mealor used his strength to hold the ball up, playing it back for Matthew Butler who went in search of a rare goal, but could only shoot past the left upright.

Wanderers had the final say of the opening period though, as first Sergio Torres twisted and turned in the area eventually finding Palmer whose shot was held at the second attempt by Vincent.

Right on half-time the Blues came as close as they had previously when Palmer broke down the before playing in Ikechi Anya inside the area, but his shot was cleared off the line to safety and it remained goal-less.

Half-time: Aylesbury 0-0 Wycombe

Chances were even harder to come by after the break as the cold well and truly set in. Palmer wasted a good chance inside three minutes when he robbed Julian Old of the ball, but shot low and all the way across goal.

The second half was a dour contest, the ball rarely staying on the ground for more than five minutes as both sides hit high and hard down towards their strikers.

On the hour mark Wycombe went close when Anya and Onibuje linked up, but both then proceeded to mis-hit shots in front of goal in comical fashion.

Substitutions were made, Wycombe replacing their first team players Sergio Torres and new signing Anthony McParland with James Faulkner and Jack Tallentire, whilst young Daniel Jones was given a run out for United in place of Ben Stevens.

Onibuje summed up a poor night in a five minute spell when he first cut inside from the left, before firing waywardly very high and very wide of the target. The big man then went on to head well over the bar from a corner kick.

The game seemed destined to uninspiringly head into extra time, Anya having another shot across goal late on.

It was Onibuje who was to have the last laugh though, when he popped up two minutes into stoppage time to hand his side a win. Palmer cut inside from the right-flank and his 25-yard effort was spilled by Vincent, where Onibuje was on hand to stab the ball home and send his side into the semi-finals. 1-0 Wycombe

Perhaps the result was harsh on Aylesbury, who had been solid all evening, their defence looking resolute once again. But that wasn't enough, as at the other end they didn't create enough chances, and having gone two games without scoring Jon Franklin will be left contemplating his striker selection for Saturday's game at Bromsgrove Rovers.