With two disappointing league defeats fresh in the memory, the Ducks returned to FA Cup action this afternoon, with the visit of another South West opponents, in the form of Hellenic League Bishop’s Cleeve.

Manager Ben Williams was able to welcome a number of key players back into the squad, including Jordan Jenkins who became the 24th player to be used this season in just 10 matches, showing the depth of the injury and unavailability issues that Williams has faced when choosing his teams so far. Jenkins was called into action after Dave O’Connor failed a late fitness test before kick-off, lining up alongside skipper Jack Wood at centre back. Also back in the line-up were Archie Davis in goal, Mark Riddick returning from injury and Harry Jones at right back.

As so often this season, the Ducks made a fast start and could have been a goal up in the first minute. A cross field pass from Jake Bewley found Jones on the right, who beat the challenges of two defenders and shot from 20 yards, but his attempt was deflected narrowly over the crossbar.

Jenkins showed that his lack of match action this season hasn’t affected his fitness as he made a fine tackle in the 10th minute to block a shot from Jack Watts after a smooth passing move from the visitors.

The Ducks almost took the lead in the 12th minute; Max Hercules, popping up on the right beat Elliott Kennedy and fired in a shot-cum-cross which keeper Sam Gilder did well to palm away for a corner.

The Ducks were struggling to get their passing game functioning effectively as the half progressed, with the visitors denying them space and employing a physical approach to their game, which could have seen skipper Lynden Dovey receive a red card instead of the yellow that was brandished after a high and late tackle on Jamie Jellis in the 32nd minute.

The Ducks did open the scoring in the 37th minute, Hercules and Jellis combined on the left, before Hercules spotted Ben Seaton in space on the edge of the penalty area; he took a good first touch before placing a shot past Gilder from 15 yards. 1-0 Aylesbury

The game took a major turn in the 40th minute, as one became two. A through ball from Ollie Hogg found Jellis breaking into the penalty area, where Dovey fouled him from behind, receiving the red card he could have had earlier from referee Charlie Bullock for preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity. Jellis took responsibility himself and fired home confidently sending Gilder the wrong way. 2-0 Aylesbury

The visitors had a great chance to pull one back just before half time; a long ball forward saw Davis charge from his goal area and head the ball away. However, with the keeper stranded, the ball fell to Stephen Davies who passed to Blaine Waugh wide on the right. He crossed to Jack Rhodes 10 yards out, but Davis had got back in time to palm his goal bound header around the post for a corner.

As half time approached the Ducks could have added a third; a diagonal ball from Jenkins found Seaton wide on the right. He cut inside Pritchett and passed to Ty Deacon, who could only direct his shot wide of the near post.

Half-time: Aylesbury 2-0 Bishops Cleeve

The second half started well for the Ducks; on 47 minutes Deacon received a ball out from defence and held it up well on halfway before turning Ashley Caldwell and spreading a ball wide to Hercules. The winger was through on goal and calmly slotted past Gilder from 15 yards to extend the lead. 3-0 Aylesbury

Three minutes later and the game was truly put beyond the visitors. Hercules played a ball over the top of the defence for Deacon to chase; as he cut into the penalty area he saw the run of Jellis in support and laid the ball into his path for the youngster to deftly side foot past Gilder for his second of the match and sixth of this year’s competition. 4-0 Aylesbury

A fifth goal soon followed; in the 55th minute Bewley played Hercules in down the left; he advanced and crossed into the penalty area where Deacon volleyed home off the far post from 6 yards. 5-0 Aylesbury

With the match now won, took the opportunity to make some changes and rest some legs. The first substitute was Kuda Sangoya replacing the returning Riddick in midfield. However, just 5 minutes after he entered the field, he was leaving again, the result of the second red card of the match. The usually mild-mannered youngster was fouled on the left touchline by Watts, but reacted angrily to a provocative act by the striker and kicked him as he stood up, leaving the ref with no choice but to dismiss him.

On 75 minutes, Deacon had a great opportunity to add a sixth; Hogg played the ball over the defence and with the visitors appealing in vain for offside, the striker found the ball stuck under his feet with his resulting effort dribbling wide of goal.

Shortly afterwards Seaton picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and fired in a powerful shot which Gilder could only parry; substitute Aaron Berry, only just on the pitch after replacing Deacon could only hit the crossbar as he followed up.

The visitors scored a consolation goal in the 84th minute. A ball forward saw Seaton stretch to intercept, but could only divert the ball to Kennedy, who laid it into the path of Watts who shot past Davis from 18 yards. 1-5

The last chance fell to Hercules as the game entered stoppage time; he collected the ball on halfway and beat two defenders, shooting narrowly wide of the near post from 20 yards.

Another satisfying afternoon, which saw the value of having a strong matchday squad to choose from. A blank weekend ahead, as the Ducks have no game in the 1st Qualifying round of the FA Trophy, but all eyes will be on the draw for the 3rtd Qualifying round of the FA Cup on Monday afternoon.