loading...

Aylesbury found the perfect cure for any lingering FA Cup hangover in the form of a comprehensive defeat of Burnham in the GX Cup 1st Round.

United continue to be decimated by injuries, meaning Nathan Graham and Chris Marsh both lined up in somewhat unfamiliar midfield positions and Ben Stevens dropped into central defence. Danny Mead also returned to the line-up, and there was a place on the bench for new signing ? experienced former Luton midfielder Rob Kean.

The Ducks got off to the perfect start with a goal after just two minutes. Good work by Henney resulted in him playing a low ball across the box, which was met by Nathan Graham who smashed into the net. 1-0 Aylesbury

Burnham had a couple of speculative efforts at the other end through Ben Hudell, who sent a volley sailing out of the ground then tried again with a shot that was closer to the corner flag, after a miscue by Stevens.

For the visitors that proved to be something of a false hope, as although they had sporadic moments of danger it was difficult to believe that the two clubs play at the same level, such was the difference between the sides on the night.

Henney should have done better on ten minutes when he raced clear of the defence, his low shot lacking the power or direction to beat Sam Southerden who turned the ball wide.

Three minutes later Graham beat Southerden to the ball amongst some woeful Burnham defending, flicking the ball into the path of Henney who headed wide of the goal.

Burnham then disturbed Aylesbury's strong start to the game when Zak Gill headed a bit too close to the post for comfort from a corner kick.

United continued to have the upper hand, but had to wait a full twenty minutes before the next chance. Henney ran clean through again, this time fed by the excellent Marsh, revelling in his free role, but again the result was the same ? Southerden saving down low.

After Glen Hawkins headed a Mead delivery over the bar, Burnham threatened a mini-revival before the break and forced Tom Vincent into two good saves. First he got down to turn Ben Hudell's curling free-kick around the post, then from the subsequent corner he stuck out a hand to deny a goalbound header and keep Aylesbury's lead in tact at the interval.

Half-time: Aylesbury 1-0 Burnham

Aylesbury were determined that this wasn't to be another game of rued misses, and the killer second goal quickly arrived. Nick Leach, named man of the match at full time for another commanding display, collected the ball, played a couple of one-twos, before nonchalantly curling the ball into the top corner with his left-foot. A truely wonderful effort and an early contender for ?goal of the season'. 2-0 Aylesbury

More importantly, it killed off any hopes of a Burnham comeback, and at times the visitors seemed more intent on infighting amongst themselves than playing a game of football, players constantly bickering with their teammates.

Henney was again unlucky not to score five minutes later. Stevens played a great ball to Marsh, whose early low ball into the box was met by Henney but he couldn't control the ball allowing Southerden to initially save, before Henney slotted the rebound wide.

Aylesbury deserved to increase their margin, and a third duly arrived from the penalty spot. After some comical defending from Burnham saw them fail to clear the ball, Sam Swonnell was caught from behind in the box, and Henney stepped up to finally find the back of the net. 3-0 Aylesbury

Both Mead and Swonnell had free kick efforts which failed to test Southerden with free kick efforts that went over the bar, and Hawkins had a shot blocked in the area after more good football from Aylesbury.

At the other end a late, over ambitious long range shot from Matt Batten was all Burnham had to show for their second half efforts.

Right at the death Marsh went in search of a goal his display deserved with a number of dangerous runs into the box, before on the stroke of time he curled a shot just wide of the target having been played in by Hawkins, and was unlucky not to add to Aylesbury's tally as they had to be content with just the three.