Aylesbury bounced back from their cup disappointments with a comprehensive 5-1 win at lowly Wantage Town, with five different scorers finding the net.
After storming to a 27 minute 4-0 lead, the depleted Ducks understandably eased up somewhat but still had plenty of chances to increase the lead before the hosts grabbed a late consolation, then Ty Deacon rounded off the night with a fifth.
The opening stages saw Harry Jones – who enjoyed a good game in midfield – see a shot blocked in the box and then the rebound saved by goalkeeper.
It was Lee Stobbs who opened the scoring, after 15 minutes. A lofted ball into the box was only headed clear as far as the midfielder who connected sweetly with a volley that almost took Kowalczyk with it as it crashed into the net. 1-0 Aylesbury
Just four minutes later and the lead was doubled when impressive debutant Rico Greco – signed on loan from Hayes & Yeading United – was taken out in the box. After their penalty kick tribulations Jake Bewley took responsibility and though his kick wasn’t the best, it had enough to squeeze past Kowalczyk. 2-0 Aylesbury
Within seconds, Harry Jones added his name to the scoresheet when he latched onto a loose ball, got it onto his right foot before picking his spot into the bottom corner. 3-0 Aylesbury
With their tails well and truly up, Deacon tried to get in on the act when he swivelled and struck a fierce volley that flew just the wrong side of the upright.
Wantage responded in kind with a wayward long shot from Lewis Crosbie that seemed more out of frustration than any real belief at hitting the target.
Things then got worse for the hosts when United added a fourth. Greco picked up the ball just inside the Town half before setting off on an incredible run that took him into the box where he was slightly fortunate with a ricochet before rolling the ball past Kowalczyk for a brilliant debut goal. 4-0 Aylesbury
Stobbs was having an eventful half, and having been booked for sliding in to challenge the keeper he placed a shot high over the bar two minutes later. The same player then intercepted another misplaced pass before going on a long run and firing in a low shot that the keeper just about kept hold of with Deacon lurking.
Half-time: Wantage 0-4 Aylesbury
The Freds made a double change to try and improve their fortunes, but could do nothing to sway the one-way nature of the game.
Aylesbury should really have been further out of sight when firstly a swift counter attack ended with Greco racing down the left and crossing early for Deacon who could only shoot wide with only the keeper to beat.
Then, a fine pass forwards from Kuda Sangoya put Deacon in behind and with no defender in sight looked certain to score, but took too long and Kowalczyk came out to smother.
The keeper continued to win his personal duel with Deacon ten minutes later when this time Ben Seaton had a clear run at goal and unselfishly chose to square the ball, but once again Deacon’s dallying allowed Kowalczyk to claim.
A yellow card for a foul by Sangoya was quickly followed by his replacement by Aaron Berry after the full back became embroiled in another foul moments later as he was wisely withdrawn from the action.
As the game wound down that, and substitutions, were the only major talking points until, in the 85th minute, Wantage grabbed a consolation when substitute Ryan Knight made no mistake from close range after a free-kick was worked back across goal. 1-4
Two minutes later and Wantage might have had another but for a smart save by Archie Davis who won a one-on-one after a home player ran through.
Instead, Aylesbury themselves added a fifth to give the scoreline a more realistic look with Deacon finally getting amongst the scorers. A corner kick was scrambled off the line, but only as far as the waiting number nine who nodded in nearly on the line himself. 5-1 Aylesbury
He could have had another moments later when robbing Hayden Price to put himself clean though, but again his finishing uncharacteristic of this season as he dragged his effort wide.
Thus it finished a 5-1 away win for Aylesbury and everything to be happy about, though with a bit more composure the Ducks could have doubled their goal tally. Next up is the visit of high-flying Ware to The Meadow on SUNDAY for what will no doubt be a sterner test for United.
