Aylesbury’s mini revival, which had seen them take four points from two games, was brought to a shuddering halt as they were well beaten by playoff-chasing Welwyn Garden City, who moved up to third in the table and went 18 league games unbeaten as a result.
With injuries again decimating the squad, Ben Williams was forced into no fewer than four changes to the team that had earned a point at Harlow Town – Jake Bewley, Dave O’Connor, Pierce McNamara and Jamie Rudd all brought back into the starting lineup.
For entertainment value, the game was rather lacking and aside from a Jon Clements long shot and a couple of corners for the hosts, there was limited goalmouth action to speak of in the early stages.
That changed on 19 minutes though, when the ever-lively Clements capitalised on a rare moment of poor judgement from Jack Wood to run through and find the far corner of the net with a well-placed shot. 1-0 Welwyn
It was the striker’s 13th goal in 19 games since re-joining the Citizens earlier in the season, and his third against the Ducks this campaign having struck a brace at The Meadow in January.
Welwyn continued to look the more likely, without creating much in the way of clear-cut chances.
They then forced successive corners, and from the second defender Ryan Doherty was able to nod home to double his side’s advantage. 2-0 Welwyn
Aylesbury finally created an opening for themselves on the 40 minute mark as Harry Jones cut inside on the right flank and flighted a superb ball which Tyrone Lewthwaite got on the end of, but headed wide.
Three minutes later and the Ducks hit the bar when a cross from the left found Mark Riddick who produced an audacious bicycle kick that crashed against the woodwork and away.
Half-time: Welwyn 2-0 Aylesbury
United started the second period in much the same manner, and when Archie Davis kicked the ball out to Bewley on the left he in turn found Rudd who quickly broke into the box but saw his low cross-shot palmed away by the home goalkeeper.
Had one of those three chances either side of half time been taken, Aylesbury would have been able to make more of a contest of the game. As it was, the second half continued to be something of a pedestrian affair, with Welwyn happy – and comfortably able - to keep the Ducks at bay.
Lewthwaite had another chance on the hour mark when he bustled his way into the penalty area but saw his low effort beaten away by Charlie Crowley.
Play was soon back at the other end as the game momentarily threatened to liven up, with a long kick downfield not being dealt with by the Ducks defence allowing Clements to nip in but put the ball over the bar.
Two minutes from time substitute Luis Fernandes – on his debut – fired in a well struck half-volley, albeit straight at Crowley after good setup play by Lewthwaite and McNamara.
It was left to a debutant on the other side to round off the night. Having only made the switch from Aylesbury two weeks earlier, Jaedon Phillips came off the bench to take advantage of another defensive mix up and fire home on his Welwyn Garden City debut. 3-0 Welwyn
There was still time for Citizens manager Nicky Ironton – who had been audibly displeased by the officials’ performance all night – to earn himself a red card for something he said on the touchline, but it only served to delay the full time whistle.
Aylesbury will pick themselves up again after a tough night, and hope for better fortunes starting with a home game against FC Romania at the weekend.
