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Saturday 8th March 2008

British Gas Football League Division One Midlands

Dales Lane, Rushall Attendance: 114

Referee: Mr A. Newbold
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Rushall Olympic

0 0

Aylesbury United

  Half-time: (0-0)  
       
Teams
Tony BREEDENPlayer Image1
16 69m Elliott DURRELLPlayer Image2
Dave HAYWOODPlayer Image3
Richard BROWNPlayer Image4
Lee BARROWPlayer Image5
Niki PRESTONPlayer Image6
12 85m Grant BECKETTPlayer Image7
Richard BEALEPlayer Image8
Craig MARSHALLPlayer Image9
15 75m Junior BROWNPlayer Image10
Neil BARNFIELDPlayer Image11
 
7 85m Rob HOLDCROFTPlayer Image12
Phil ROWEPlayer Image14
10 75m Neil GRAINGERPlayer Image15
2 69m Lee GOUGHPlayer Image16
Chris BRINDLEYPlayer Image17
 
  Paul HOLLERANManager ImageM
   
1Player ImageTom VINCENT
2Player ImageChris ASLETT
3Player ImageKevin MEALOR
4Player ImageNick LEACH
5Player ImageStuart CATTELL
6Player ImageBen STEVENS
7Player ImageMark JONES14 80m 
8Player ImageSam SWONNEL
9Player ImageCraig HENNEY15 80m 
10Player ImageNathan GRAHAM
11Player ImageMike FEELY12 70m 
 
12Player ImageDanny NICHOLLS11 70m 
14Player ImageNathan LIBURD7 80m 
15Player ImageRoss TAYLOR9 80m 
17Player ImageJack SILLITOE
 
MManager ImageTony THOMPSON
Match Report

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Two weeks after struggling to a scrappy win over Rushall Olympic, the Ducks made the return trip to Dales Lane and came away from a weather affected match with a goal-less draw.

With match winner from the last meeting James Faulkner suspended, Nathan Graham was recalled to the starting line-up. There was also a place for returning playmaker Mark Jones, who replaced Danny Nicholls in the line-up after rejoining from Oxford City.

The direction of the game was largely dictated by the strong wind, Rushall having the better of things with the wind behind them in the first half; Aylesbury similarly so after the break.

Rushall's Elliott Durrell had the first effort after five minutes, but he mis-hit his shot and Vincent easily held the ball.

A snapshot from Craig Marshall followed five minutes later, before Vincent was called into more serious action when a long wind-aided ball bounced up and nearly over his head, but for a smart piece of goalkeeping to scramble the ball away. A Rushall forward was on hand to follow-up, but unbelievably only found the side-netting.

The home side were dominating the early stages as Dave Haywood hit a free-kick straight at Vincent. He was soon at it again when latching onto Mealor's clearance, but shot high into the side netting.

Aylesbury's first chance came from a free-kick which Jones hit into the wall. Ben Stevens collected the rebound but slashed his shot badly wide.

Normal service was soon resumed though, and Nick Leach made a mess of dealing with another lofted ball allowing Junior Brown in to face Vincent, the stopper coming up trumps with a superb point blank save.

The Ducks came as close as ever to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Henney played in Feely who shimmied to beat his man before striking a shot against the outside of the post.

In first half stoppage time Marshall lifted a shot over the bar, and United got to the interval somewhat relieved to have their clean sheet still intact.

Half-time: Rushall 0-0 Aylesbury

With the wind now in their favour, Aylesbury had to make their advantage count, and although they had most of the chances, Breedon was never seriously tested.

With the Pics on the backfoot, Graham shot across goal ten minutes from the restart. This was a good spell of pressure from the visitors, a number of dangerous crosses being played into the box, one of which even hit the post from Kevin Mealor.

By midway through the half the home fans were becoming frustrated with their sides' inability to string two passes together, as time and time again they could only find a green shirt, allowing Aylesbury to put the pressure back on.

Sadly United couldn't make best use of the chances on offer though. Mealor came forward and chose to shoot when he might have been better playing in a colleague.

A poor defensive header then fell to Graham, who seems to be lacking the confidence in front of goal from earlier in the season, and his shot lacked the power or direction to beat Breedon.

To their credit Aylesbury kept up the heat right until the final whistle, but it just wasn't enough as they too often seemed scared to have a shot.

An effort from substitute Nathan Liburd struck Niki Preston in the area, as Rushall defended resolutely. They even had a rare second half effort of their own, as Lee Gough was played in but shot all the way across goal.

Ross Taylor, playing as makeshift striker for the last ten minutes, had the last shot of the game when he went for goal, but it was blocked by a Rushall defender.

Ultimately a point was the right result, but not what Aylesbury would have wanted with tougher games on the horizon as the playoff race continues to heat up.