Aylesbury’s unhappy New Year continued as the Ducks were outclassed at title hopefuls Royston Town in their second defeat of the week.
Once Ryan Ingrey had put the Crows into a seventh minute lead they never looked back, and it was something of a surprise that a dominant first half showing only yielded one further goal.
United boss Glyn Creaser was once again forced into a number of changes, but was able to call on Jake Bewley again after suspension, whilst in a tactical switch opted to name Alvin Rajaram alongside Alex Collard in defence, with Jack Wood moving into midfield. There was a place on the bench for new signing Reece Cameron.
Ingrey’s opener was set up by Ryan Towner, who span free in midfield before slipping the ball through for the winger to slot home through the legs of the unfortunate Zaki Oualah.1-0 Royston
Oualah had already advanced from his line to smother an early shot from Rhys Hoeness after just three minutes, and his busy afternoon continued when Ingrey retrieved the ball from the byeline before jinking inside and firing in a shot that was turned away by the goalkeeper.
Royston’s second goal was a thing of beauty, as a superbly worked training ground short corner kick routine ended with a low Hoeness cross being tapped in from close range by defender Joe De La Salle. 2-0 Royston
Three minutes later and Oualah made another good save, doing well to readjust and tip a swerving shot from Ingrey around the post despite initially appearing to be moving in the wrong direction.
On the stroke of half time Aylesbury finally fashioned a meaningful attack of their own, as Shiblu Miah – making his first league start since returning to the club – found some rare space on the right but his effort was easily saved by Ronnie Yates.
Half-time: Royston 2-0 Aylesbury
The Ducks were much improved after the break and threatened early on when Jack Wood lifted a shot over from the edge of the box, whilst recalled full back Ricky Brown’s cross was headed off target by Shaun Owens.
Yates was then called upon to make an excellent save to deny captain Wood direct from a free kick, the stopper diving to his right to turn the ball away.
Aside from a Jack Bradshaw free kick which was hammered over the bar, Royston had yet to truly threaten the Ducks goal in the second half, but that changed just past the hour mark as Oualah saved again to deny Ingrey. The rebound fell to Hoeness who was sent sprawling in the box but referee Wayne Porter was unmoved.
It was then Yates’s turn to make a save of note, as another cross in from Brown came all the way across to substitute Nathan Tshikuna, and his full blooded volley was only kept out by a superb reflex save.
Oualah was at it again midway through the half to deny home skipper Bradshaw’s deflected effort, clawing the ball away after Hoeness had beaten two men in the box to set up the effort with a cross.
Proceedings continued with either side looking capable of scoring the next goal, Aylesbury next to come close when Wood’s cross came was just ahead of debutant Cameron but came across to Tshikuna, Yates doing just enough to scramble the ball away.
It was Royston who eventually did score, with something of a gift as Collard clipped Reece Dobson just inside the box, allowing Jack Bradshaw to emphatically convert a penalty kick. 3-0 Royston
Just under three minutes later and Aylesbury registered a goal to merit their endeavour. Jack Wood’s high shot across goal was met with a header from Tyrone Taylor, who reacted quickly to divert the ball into the net for his first since returning to the club. 1-3
The hosts were still to have the final say on matters though, and with three minutes remaining the Crows reinstated their three-goal cushion. A long through ball set Luke Robins clear, and although Rajaram looked to have done enough in racing back to catch him up, the cultured Robins was still able to produce a deft lob and beat Oualah. 4-1 Royston
With the very last kick of the game Oualah stepped up to try his luck with a 45-yard free kick, but his opposite number was never in danger as the ball sailed clear of the crossbar.
Full time thus sounded with a comfortable win for a classy opponent, with the only good piece of news from Aylesbury’s point of view that Leighton Town were unable to take anything from their home game against Potters Bar Town.
