1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | 12, 61m | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 14, 74m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | 15, 75m | |
14 | 11, 74m | |
15 | 12, 75m | |
16 | ||
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
7 | ||
8 | 14, 65m | |
9 | ||
10 | ||
11 | 15, 80m | |
BENCH | ||
---|---|---|
12 | ||
14 | 8, 65m | |
15 | 11, 80m | |
16 | ||
MANAGEMENT | ||
M |
After a week off for both teams due to the freezing weather, both would have been pleased to get back into action after a rapid thawing of the pitch at Thame over the last 24 hours. Aylesbury United showed two changes to the starting line-up, with a fit again Ryan Kinnane replacing Alex Collard and Reece Cameron returning to the team in place of the unavailable Sonny French.
The visitors started quickly and took an early lead. Just two minutes were on the clock when Nathan Frater spread a wonderful cross field ball to BJ Christie, who in turn crossed the ball into the path of strike partner Jermaine Hall who volleyed past Zaki Oualah in fine style to open the scoring. 1-0 AFC Dunstable
Somewhat stunned by this setback, the Ducks struggled to get a foothold in the game, but Lea Coulter had an opportunity after combining with Bruno Brito, but his shot was wide of the target. Hall having a chance to double the lead when he robbed Jack Wood outside the penalty area, but shot wide of Oualah’s goal with just the keeper to beat.
In the 26th minute, a corner from Newman Carney was met by Josh Humbert, but his header hit the bar before being cleared to safety. Just past the half hour a long ball forward was taken down superbly by Brito, but his shot was wide of the right-hand post. Soon after, Carney played Frater in who crossed to Christie, whose shot was deflected over the bar.
On 40 minutes, the visitors doubled their lead; Hall won the ball on the right and crossed towards goal; Oualah managed to palm the ball out, but only as far as Leon Cashman who scored with a low drive. 2-0 AFC Dunstable
Two minutes later and it was almost three; Hall again found his strike partner Christie in the right channel, but his shot was weak and wide of the goal.
As half time approached the Ducks almost managed to reduce the arrears, an Olly Stanbridge cross was headed down by Greg Williams to Brito, who found Lea Coulter; the striker played the ball back to Brito, but his right footed shot hit the far post and was cleared by Carney.
Half-time: Aylesbury 0-2 AFC Dunstable
The visitors continued to press in the second half; on 50 minutes a deep cross from Carney on the left was met by Christie, but he couldn’t hit the target, his header clearing the bar.
In the 63rd minute, the Ducks were to hit the woodwork for a second time. Brito on the left squared the ball to Reece Cameron who in turn laid the ball into the path of substitute Ollie Hogg, whose first time shot struck the inside of the right-hand post before being cleared to safety.
Three minutes later and a long ball forward from Hogg found Coulter ahead of the defence, but his attempted lob was weak and mis-directed.
On 68 minutes, the Ducks defensive woes at set pieces came back to haunt them. A corner from Carney on the right was palmed by Oualah only as far as Hall, lurking unmarked at the far post to volley home his second goal of the day and 21st of the season. 3-0 AFC Dunstable
In the 73rd minute, Cameron beat two defenders on the left and passed the ball to Hogg 10 yards out, but his first-time shot was wide of the left hand post. This was to be Hogg’s last contribution, the sub being replaced after just 10 minutes on the field by Troy Witter as a precaution after straining his hamstring.
The game then went through a quiet period, with the result just about assured for the visitors.
The home side were caught on the break twice in the last 5 minutes to see Dunstable complete a convincing and deserved win. First Jake Bewley was robbed of the ball on halfway by Christie, who outpaced the lone covering defender and calmly drew Oualah before slipping the ball past him. 4-0 AFC Dunstable
A minute later, Coulter fouled Christie 20 yards out; substitute Courtney Massay stepped up and saw his powerful free kick pushed aside by Oualah.
Massay wasn’t to be denied for long though. In the second minute of added on time, a weak defensive clearance by Coulter landed at his feet and he forced a powerful shot past Oualah into the far corner of the net. 5-0 AFC Dunstable
A sobering afternoon for the Ducks, well beaten by a very potent attacking performance from AFC Dunstable. With the Southern League Cup quarter final at Bishops Cleeve to come on Tuesday evening, the team won’t have long to wait to attempt to banish the memories of a day to forget. If they are to progress any further in the cup the performance will have to be a big improvement; the silver lining to this particular grey cloud being that it is an away tie, another opportunity to continue what has generally been good form away from Thame this season.
Aylesbury United
AFC Dunstable
Ashford Town (Mx)
Arlesey Town
Beaconsfield SYCOB
Fleet Town
Bedford Town
Aylesbury FC
Egham Town
Kempston Rovers
Farnborough
Chalfont St. Peter
Hanwell Town
Barton Rovers
Kidlington
Histon
Northwood
Petersfield Town
Potters Bar Town
Marlow
Royston Town
Uxbridge