Stacey Field’s scoring streak extended into its eighth game as his brace helped the Ducks to a convincing 4-0 win at Hillingdon Borough.
Joey Acheampong and the re-instated Russell Clark also found the net to ensure Aylesbury’s 100% Spartan South Midlands League record against Hillingdon remains intact, and close the gap on 4th placed Haringey Borough back to just two points again.
In bizarrely similar fashion to last season, Borough have fallen away badly since the turn of the year, and just one-win to their name since January.
They threatened first when a slick move down the left resulted in the ball across being turned wide by Michalis Livesey at the near post. On the whole though, Aylesbury were rarely troubled and Jack Sillitoe had a comfortable afternoon in goal.
Aylesbury had a feint shout for a penalty turned down in the twelfth minute when Ben Baines went down under strong pressure, and Russell Clark half volleyed well over the bar in what were the visitors only real moments of threat in the opening quarter.
The pressure was slowly building on the hosts and a couple of corner kicks caused problems with home keeper Sam Beagle looking far from commanding in his area.
The deadlock was broken just past the half hour mark with a well made goal, though Borough were largely culpable in their downfall. A quick throw in from the left found Paul Edgeworth who headed the ball through for Field, and although he was second favourite, awful hesitation between last defender and goalkeeper allowed him to nip in and slot home. 1-0 Aylesbury
Hillingdon responded by having their best chance of the half, as Daniel Mehmet waltzed past several United players before squaring for Adam Willis but Sillitoe was quickly off his line to make a good smothering save.
Aylesbury nearly doubled their lead before the break, firstly when Warren Garcia received the ball from a throw-in, drifted inside and went for goal but saw his effort blocked by a defender.
In stoppage time John Mulholland’s flighted ball picked out Acheampong to cut inside his man and tee up Edgeworth whose shot skimmed the wrong side of the upright.
Half-time: Hillingdon 0-1 Aylesbury
Whilst never being a classic, the Ducks were doing well enough to get the job done in the first period, but the second was very comfortable.
Borough did have an early chance a dangerously positioned free-kick was squared Tom Martin who blasted for goal but found his effort easily cut out in the box before the ball was cleared.
Two goals in three minutes then put the game well out of the whites reach. Ben Baines was played in by Field after seven second half minutes but saw his low shot saved by Beagle, but it was warning of what was to come.
A carbon copy move saw Baines again see his low shot saved having cut in from the left, but this time the ball popped out kindly for Acheampong who wasn’t going to refuse an empty net. 2-0 Aylesbury
Three minutes later and it was three for the Ducks. The ball broke kindly for Russell Clark who produced a fantastic dipping shot over Beagle and into the net. 3-0 Aylesbury
Aylesbury took their foot off the gas somewhat having established a healthy margin and Hillingdon probed for a way back into the game as successive corner kicks came to nothing, as did another threatening free-kick which was blasted straight into the wall by Adam Willis.
The home side also had what they considered a strong claim for a penalty waved away, though awarding handball against Mulholland would have been harsh.
Hillingdon substitute Troy Raymond had a shot at goal go badly wide after Aylesbury failed to clear their lines, whilst United themselves had efforts from Baines and a long ranger from Edgeworth fail to test Beagle further.
Ten minutes from time Livesey should have done better having been allowed to carry the ball a long way and shoot for goal as it opened up in front of him, but Sillitoe was easily able to get down and save his weak effort.
Instead, it was Aylesbury who added to their scoring when Stacey Field was presented with the chance to comfortably slot home his 25th goal of the season late on. 4-0 Aylesbury
In what was a clear indication of United’s comfort, there was still time for manager Tony Joyce – who must be beyond the ‘veteran’ stages of his career now – to make only his second appearance of the season.
Another very good day for the Ducks to round off what has been a very good month of March.
