After a thoroughly entertaining, crazy and, at times, unbelievable 90 minutes, Aylesbury emerged victorious from Stotfold with a 6-3 win.
Every so often in the history of Aylesbury United, there comes along a game so breathtaking that it goes down in Ducks folklore, and this one certainly falls under that category.
In the end, it was United’s raft of attacking options which won the game for them, as Tony Joyce was able to introduce Joey Acheampong and Melford Simpson, who had both scored within minutes of entering the fray and help secure an excellent three points against highly rated opposition.
As early as the second minute Aylesbury should have been ahead, as they started typically strongl, Ben Baines’ left-footed shot just skimming past the upright after good work by Field to find him.
Although seeing plenty of the ball, the Ducks weren’t able to create a lot against a solid looking home defence, with a couple of corner kicks and a free-kick coming to nothing – the latter eventually blazed over by Tom Barnett.
Stotfold’s first decent move of the match resulted in a shot being blocked behind for a corner kick, before Aylesbury had a massive let off when Aulsberry appeared to be clipped in the penalty area, only for his appeals to be waved away by the referee.
The ambers were starting to gain the upper hand as their attacking movement was proving tough for United to cope with and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring on 34 minutes. A deep lying free-kick was helped on, then headed goalwards where Jack Wood was stationed on the line to clear. Sadly for him, the ball fell kindly for Aulsberry to head over the line. 1-0 Stotfold
What was a surprise was what was to follow, as United blitzed their way back into the match with three goals in four minutes.
Silvestri got the ball rolling by hitting a sweet shot – cutting across the ball to spin it into the bottom corner – having been teed up by Field. 1-1
Three minutes later, 39 on the clock, Field himself scored, producing a spellbinding touch to spin away from his marker and slam the ball in at the near post. Baines deserves a lot of the credit for his sheer persistence to carry on bringing the ball all the way down the right touchline and in from the byline, despite being fouled several times (for which good advantages were played by the referee). 2-1 Aylesbury
The spell was completed with another from Field who coolly finished having been released by Garcia. 3-1 Aylesbury
It seemed to good to be true and so it proved as United couldn’t make the interval with their two-goal cushion intact. A decent Stotfold move ended with a slice of fortune as a ball into the box cannoned off Mulholland and into the path for Aulsberry who finished well past the exposed Sillitoe. 2-3
Half-time: Stotfold 2-3 Aylesbury
After enough of a half-time break for everyone involved to collect their breath once more, the second half began exactly where the first had ended – with another goal.
Tony Joyce would have urged his charges to ‘keep it tight’ early on, but that’s exactly what they didn’t do as the ball was played through to Harman who clinically slotted it under Sillitoe and into the net. 3-3
There was a hairy moment for Aylesbury when Sillitoe had to make a good smothering save on his near post to keep Bronti’s effort after Baines had inexplicably passed straight back to the opposition.
Once again though, the Ducks came back strongly. Tony Joyce elected to replace two midfielders in Silvestri and Townsend with two forwards Joey Acheampong and Melford Simpson.
An inspired decision perhaps, as within a minute of coming on Acheampong had re-established Aylesbury’s lead. Simpson played his part by using his physical presence to win the ball back, and as it fell to Acheampong he fired home through the crowded box. 4-3 Aylesbury
In less than a minute, Simpson himself was on the scoresheet. Pulling a long ball out of the sky with great technique, he took his time and calmly fired home. 5-3 Aylesbury
Suddenly, it was all Aylesbury and with Stotfold’s defending all at sea, it looked only a matter of time before more goals followed with Simpson, Acheampong and Field all going close.
If the result had been in any doubt, then a 6th goal from the visitors certainly put the match to bed. Baines, who more than deserved his effort, got on the end of King’s low cross to fire home. 6-3 Aylesbury
Still further chances came the way of United. Baines couldn’t quite turn in Simpson’s pass, an Acheampong cross was swept behind by a defender with Field closing in, and Mulholland headed Field’s hanging delivery straight at the keeper.
The closest of all though was Tom Barnett, and but for a great save by Sam Leggett it would have been seven. He won the ball back from Aulsberry which allowed him a clear run at goal, but Leggett made himself big and produced a stop with his foot to divert the ball just wide.
Aylesbury, then, had to be content with just the six goals this time out, but, joking aside, will be delighted with their result against one of the division’s stronger sides.
