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Aylesbury took to the field just two miles down the road from the site of their big Saturday win at Hillingdon Borough, but left with a result a million miles off that as they were beaten 3-0 by lowly Harefield United.

In doing so the Hares became only the third side to do the double over the Ducks (AFC Dunstable and Colney being the others), as United struggled to get to grips with an energetic and fluent side who were largely superior in most departments and fully deserving of a win which probably secures another season of Premier Division football.

The home side started on the front foot and an early through ball briefly let Ben Barton in behind the defence, but Jack Sillitoe was there to easily smother. Moments later Aylesbury made a hash of clearing their lines and conceded a free-kick on the corner of the box but Charlie Crane’s effort hit a defender.

At the other end Daniel Jones had a rare Aylesbury effort with a near exact same positioned free-kick, but he dragged it badly wide, and in the ninth minute Ben Baines appeared to be barged from behind in the box but the referee waved his appeals away.

Harefield continued to do most of the attacking and the dangerous Kendrick Harriott had a number of efforts, the first when a ball over the top let him in for a shot which was well tipped over by the falling Sillitoe.

The resulting corner was flicked out to Harriott on the edge of the box, but his acrobatic shot was well blocked. Another free-kick was then awarded for handball against Joe Donaldson – for which he was booked – and this time Harriott’s effort was straight down the throat of Sillitoe.

A Warren Garcia curling effort which struck a defender and went behind was about the best United had to show for their evening to that point, and it was Garcia again who went for goal with a long range effort on half an hour which was well over, as the Ducks continued to be second best.

Further attempts from Harriott and then Sam Osei came to nothing, before Aylesbury finally created a first genuine sight of goal – in the 41st minute. Ben Baines passed to Stacey Field who turned his man but placed his shot just wide of the goal.

A minute later Garcia played the ball through to Field but Ben Goode was sharply off his line to divert the ball behind, and the keeper was then able to easily catch the resulting corner.

Half-time arrived with Aylesbury having shown a slight improvement in the closing five minutes, but overall thankful that the Hares had been unable to make the most of their chances.

Half-time: Harefield 0-0 Aylesbury

Jack Sillitoe made a good early save to deny Keemo Maphela’s turn and shot, and although Garcia made a strong run down the right which ended with a great cross which Field was just unable to turn in, it proved to be a moment of false promise as the home side finally took the lead.

A low ball in from the right had Aylesbury’s defence at sixes and sevens, and fell to the feet of Sam Gehman who showed no hesitancy in easily finding the net from eight-yards. 1-0 Harefield

Having taken the lead, the Hares visibly grew in confidence and another swift move was brought to an end by a crude challenge from John Mulholland which resulted in a caution, with Crane sending the resulting free-kick well over the bar. Another shot from the left from Gehman whistled just past Sillitoe’s upright with the Ducks number one rooted to the spot, and Aban Majeed also went close with a low effort.

The Ducks introduced substitutes Sawyer and Simpson – the latter playing for the first time in six weeks. Simpson nearly made an immediate impact when a great ball into the box was met by a header which was rather fortuitously saved by Goode who had stepped off his line in an attempt to meet the cross and was nearly caught out.

Harefield threatened again when a square ball found Maphela for a clear shooting chance, but Sillitoe saved with his legs.

Pushing forwards in search of an equaliser, Aylesbury found themselves undone on the counter attack as Harefield did add a second. Substitute Jack Reader, with virtually his first touch of the game, ran on to a through ball and finished into the net – despite Sillitoe getting fingertips to his shot. 2-0 Harefield

Things got even worse for the Ducks five minutes later when Shane Ely smashed in from close range late on, as the home side scored as many goals in one night as they’d scored in their last ten games! 3-0 Harefield

Such was the volume of chances wasted, Harefield could have scored five or six goals as another great chance was slotted wide, and a late goal disallowed.

In stoppage time Simpson hit the post with a header from Sawyer’s fine cross, and Field dragged a shot wide, but it was very much a night to forget for the travelling Aylesbury contingent.

Full time duly followed with the United players keen to get off the pitch as quickly as possible and put this match behind them.

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