Aylesbury United put their league worries to one side, as two first half goals earned them victory over Chalfont St. Peter and passage to the county cup semi finals for a third successive year.
Just two weeks earlier the Saints had easily dismissed the Ducks by a 3-0 scoreline, and whilst a lower priority competition this win goes some way to restoring some pride for United as well as instilling some much needed confidence ahead of Saturday’s visit of Rugby Town.
Both sides made several changes to their lineups, with, most notably for Aylesbury, defender John Mulholland coming in to play his first 90 minutes for the club in 18 months, having a big impact as the Ducks kept their first clean sheet since against Wantage Town in the previous round of the same competition back in September.
The first quarter of the game passed in largely uneventful fashion, although Chalfont maybe should have taken the lead early on when Louis Stead’s dangerous inswinging free kick was headed wide.
In the 12th minute Shane Wood cleverly flicked the ball around the corner for Stacey Field to run onto, but replacement goalkeeper Mikey Pearce did well to smother his shot.
With chances at a premium it was a scrappy opener which broke the deadlock ten minutes later, Jason Blackett flicking Shane Wood’s long throw across goal where Steve Hatch was on hand to loop a header over Pearce and into the net. 1-0 Aylesbury
Chalfont then wasted a chance to equalise immediately when former Aylesbury FC defender Liam Fowler got ahead of his marker to meet Adam Louth’s corner, but could only guide a volley wide of the target.
At the other end Paul Edgeworth was unable to convert Field’s searching cross which came to him at an awkward height, but roles were reversed shortly afterwards as United extended their lead.
The veteran showed a decent turn of pace to race away down the right before arrowing a low ball into the box that ricocheted off a defender into the path of Field, and he made no mistake with an angled finish beyond Pearce. 2-0 Aylesbury
In the final minute of the half Aylesbury’s had a further chance to put the game out of Chalfont’s reach as Hatch met Edgeworth’s corner, but could only guide his header over the bar.
Half-time: Aylesbury 2-0 Chalfont
Despite having established a comfortable half time lead, this match was far from over and Aylesbury had to work extremely hard at times to preserve their clean sheet.
That said, it was the Ducks and Hatch again who threatened first when Shaun Owens’ fine ball over the defence just ran away from the advancing midfielder at the last moment.
Saints hit back a minute later, the ball teed up for Aaron Lansiquot – recent scorer against Aylesbury at Mill Meadow – whose thumping rising drive flew just over the bar.
Full back Louth then followed suit when the ball was spread across the edge of the box to him, his shot flashing wide of the upright.
Aylesbury’s defence was to be tested to the limit by a sequence of six corners in seven minutes from the visitors, the fourth of which was forced goalwards by Fowler before being headed off the line by Edgeworth, with a follow up effort from Lansiquot blocked in the area.
Just before that Remmell Clarke had crashed in an unstoppable shot that grazed the crossbar on its way over, Hatch had made a goal-saving challenge in the box, and Jack Sillitoe did well to turn a curling effort from Glenn Yala around the post after a flag kick was cleared by Daniel Mead to him.
Having dug deep and survived some immense pressure, Aylesbury then enjoyed a foray into the Chalfont half as a counter attack released Field only for Pearce to be quick from his line to foil his attempt.
Play was quickly switched back to the other end, and Sillitoe made a similar save off his line to deny Lansiquot, whilst Sam Grayley saw a good opportunity come to nothing when he dinked a shot wide after the home defence had finally been unlocked.
Substitute Ryan Freshwater made another good defensive block, Sillitoe punched away yet another corner kick, and Clarke’s long shot took a deflection wide leading to a further two set pieces which were dealt with by Shane Wood and Mulholland respectively.
The latter stages at last saw the pressure ease, and new signing Orlando Joao was given a run out, with his pace providing an outlet on the left flank to help run the clock down.
Joao and Owens combined in the 86th minute before the latter hammered a shot wide, before a great through ball set Edgeworth away in stoppage time but he disappointingly put his shot wide.
A tremendous, battling second half display from the whole team, and some fine defending of which more of the same will be required on Saturday against league playoff hopefuls, Rugby.
The Ducks must now wait to learn their Berks & Bucks Senior Cup semi final opposition – with Hungerford Town vs Maidenhead the last quarter final still to be played, and Chesham United and Marlow already through.
