Aylesbury achieved their best result of the season by winning 2-0 at Royston Town, and delivering payback for the opening day defeat the Crows inflicted on the Ducks back on the opening day of the season.
Daniel Jones was United’s hero – his corner creating Craig Townsend’s headed opener, before he scored the settling second – but ironically he might not even have been playing had Joey Acheampong not arrived late.
Royston will justifiably argue that they dominated the match, the first half in particular, but they were wretched in their finishing and by the end Jack Sillitoe had only had one meaningful save to make.
Paul Edgeworth, fairly lacklustre in the first half but much more influential after the break, had Aylesbury’s first effort when he intercepted a misplaced pass but could only drill a first time effort well wide.
It was then Royston’s turn to threaten which they did through Ricky Young’s trickiness in the box as he made space for a shot, but it was easy for Sillitoe.
A minute later a deep free-kick was met with a flicked header which dropped wide amongst some questionable marking by Aylesbury, then on the quarter hour mark Rhys Lawrence fired high and wide as a corner kick dropped to him in a good position.
Royston were already making their mark and were well on top of the game, so it was a complete shock when Aylesbury took a 24th minute lead. Coulter did a good job of breaking down the right at pace, and winning himself a corner kick. Up stepped Jones who put the ball right where Townsend wanted it on the near post for him to power it into the net. 1-0 Aylesbury
A minute later the snappy Warren Garcia nearly doubled the lead when he drove an effort wide having retrieved the ball in midfield, trying to find Baines but seeing the ball rebound to him off a defender.
Normal service was soon resumed as the Crows went back on the attack and when the dangerous Lockett hit the bar having drifted infield, seen the rebound effort blocked, then the third cleared off the line, it looked like a long afternoon was in prospect for the away side.
It was Ross Collins who went close next, and he really should have done better, when faced with the whole goal and Sillitoe he dragged his shot wide of the target having been played in over the top.
The constant pressure continued for a spell as Aylesbury were unable to gain any possession or even get out of their half for a long while, but there was no end product for all of Royston’s efforts.
There was a rare half chance for United when Garcia played the ball in and Coulter headed towards goal but it lacked the power and drifted harmlessly out with Jones unable to keep the ball alive.
The first half was brought to an end by Jones’ free-kick which curled just past the far post after Ben Baines had been brought down.
Half-time: Royston 0-1 Aylesbury
Aylesbury kicked off the second half braced and ready for a Royston onslaught, and, as expected, they had to defend hard early on.
An overhead kick from Collins was straight at Sillitoe, before Lockett wasted the home side’s second gilt-edged chance of the game when a ball in from wide was allowed to travel all the way across to him, but when presented with the whole goal to aim at he could only screw his effort wide.
Another good chance came and went when Young blazed over the bar having got the better of the defence, and then four minutes later Sillitoe was called upon to make a superb save as he tipped over Lockett’s half volley which was just creeping under the bar.
Sillitoe was on hand to dive comfortably on a left footed shot on the turn moments later, but as the minutes ticked by Royston began to lose their way, and the barrage on the Aylesbury goal subsequently subsided.
United had to replace the struggling Mark Toms with Kevin Ayodele, Jack Wood dropping into central defence, but it didn’t affect their game as they continued to be strong when needed at the back.
Aylesbury had the ball in the back on the net on 69 minutes when Baines turned to fire home Mulholland’s knock down, but it was chalked off for offside before he could celebrate.
It was a sign that the balance had shifted slightly from the entire Royston dominance of earlier, and a dangerous Coulter run in the next minute eventually came to nothing, but it was only brief respite.
Standen twice went close, the first a left footed shot on the turn which went over, the second miss defying belief as he somehow spooned over from on the penalty spot. It summed up the home side’s afternoon.
As Royston pushed forwards Aylesbury were being left space for counter-attacking and one such opportunity saw Coulter released by Mulholland’s ball forward, but he tried a first time shot which flew over the bar from range.
The Crows made a double substitution to try and change their fortunes but they were on a downwards spiral as they became more and more frustrated, culminating in a booking for Edwards’ rash challenge on Coulter.
Baines had a decent chance to put the result beyond doubt when he latched on to Edgeworth’s flick on, but could only shoot straight at the keeper.
Aylesbury didn’t have to wait long though, as on 81 minutes the game was put to bed. Great play on the touchline on the half way line by Coulter eventually saw him play the ball inside Garcia who looked up and released Jones with a fine pass. The youngster kept his composure as Gibson came out to close him down, dinking a superb finish beyond the keeper and into the net. 2-0 Aylesbury
That was the final blow for Royston, and although they had a near post header at a corner kick go wide, there was little left in the home side’s tank as they slumped to defeat.
The final whistle was met by jubilation from players and supporters alike, and the wild scenes of celebration in the away dressing room were pertinent reminder of the great team spirit Tony Joyce’s side have developed over the course of this season. Long may it continue.
