Archived News: March 2004

Aylesbury Reserves 2 Berkhamsted Reserves 0

29Mar
2004

The Ducks Reserve side recorded their second succesive win with a 2-0 victory over local rivals Berkhamsted Town. The win sees the team ease their relegation fears, and jump up to 13th in the league table.

Both goals were scored in the first half. The first an excellent goal from Dean Powles, playing in midfield, with the second scored by Colin Baker from the penalty spot.

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Ducks Sign Two

29Mar
2004

As promised, Paul Curtis has added to his squad ahead of today's transfer deadline with the signing of two new player. Erkan Okay is a right or left-sided full-back or wing-back, who was formerly on the books of Ipswich Town, and midfielder Leigh Meddows joins from Cambridge City, although he was a Youth Team player at Cambride United.

Both featured in last night's Reserve Team win, and go straight into the squad for Saturday's bottom of the table clash with Braintree Town.

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Ladies Team Reach Cup Semi-Final

28Mar
2004

Aylesbury United Ladies won through to the League Cup Semi-Final with a superb 2-1 win over Caversham on Sunday afternoon. Their patched up side kept their hosts at bay, and two goals from Carly Newman sealed the result.

The Semi-Final will be played on Easter Sunday, although the opponents are as yet unknown.

For the full report, click the link below.

Click here: Ladies Report

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Paul Curtis' Thoughts

28Mar
2004

Alistair MacLaren caught up with Paul Curtis to get his thoughts on Saturday's 1-1 draw at Hendon:

"I thought that the quality of our football was not quite as good as it has been recently. We could have done better with the bal, although the commitment was still there. Things improved after half time, but the team gave a battling performace throughout the game, and they didn't wilt in the latter stages of the game.

The way that things have been going recently, and the determination shown at Hendon, we should have a chance of our first victory of the year on Saturday against Braintree Town. Having performed well agains the top three teams in the last three games, we should impose ourselves more on the lesser teams in our league.

On the playing front John Winter was unavailable on Saturday with illness, and Dean Powles picked up an injury in the warm-up, which ruled him out.

Donovan Reed made his full debut, and scored early on. I consider him to be very pacey and full of power, but still a bit raw. We need to work on his game, and this is something we'll do over the coming weeks.

I think the team is becoming more stabilised, especially in defence, following the return of Danny Gordon, and the arrival of Adam Garner. They join other players to compete for places which all improves the quality of the squad.

With the transfer deadline (31st March) fast approaching it's possible there will be new signings before then. I've spoken to a number of players, although one target has now joined Stevenage Borough.

The players are currently playing for their places next season, they have to prove their worth to me. I want to make new signings for next season, as new faces will increase competition for places, and the squad will become better balanced"

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Hendon 1 Aylesbury 1

26Mar
2004

Aylesbury United rode their luck and held on for their second away point of the month, with a 1-1 draw at second placed Hendon.

The Ducks shocked their hosts, as Donovan Reed gave them an early lead, converting Alvin Bubb's cross after just seven minutes of his full debut. Hendon proceeded to spurn numerous chances, but eventually levelled ten-minutes before half-time.

The second half was much the same - as Hendon continued to fashion, and waste, chance after chance. Aylesbury also had chances to re-take the lead, but it seemed inevitible the home side would score. It didn't happen - thanks to some fantastic defending, and some good luck at times, and United recorded the point.

The result will hopefully give the team the confidence they need to go out and beat Braintree, for Paul Curtis' first win as manager.

Meanwhile the Reserve Team picked up a valuable three points with a home win against Oxford City. The side won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Colin Baker.

Full report of the Hendon match now online.

Click here: Hendon Report

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Paul Curtis' Thoughts On Canvey

21Mar
2004

Once again our reporter Alistair MacLaren has been talking with Ducks boss Paul Curtis, and getting his thoughts after Saturday's defeat to Canvey:

"I was very pleased with the application that the players showed in Saturday's game. The extremely windy conditions spoiled the match, both from our perspective on the dugout, and from a spectating point. I felt Canvey Island coped better with the wind behind them than we did in the first half. I put this down to the fact that they saw how we'd got on in the first half.

Jack Rashid did well again, but I was disappointed that we didn't get a draw out of the game. Their first goal was down to a defensive error, and Alvin was very unlucky not to score for us before half-time. He probably had too much time to think what he was going to do - had he been under more pressure he probably would have scored!

Generally the shape of the squad is looking better now than a few weeks ago. This was highlighted by the omission of John Winter from Saturday's team. We have plenty of options in that department now, and this was the only reason he didn't start - I think he'll be an important player next season.

I don't think we picked up any injuries from the Canvey match, but as I've said before, reactions take a couple of days to show.

Nadim Akhtar was due to play for the Reserve Team against Dulwich on Saturday. He has been awaiting International Clearance from the FA, a problem which relates to his career before joining us. Again, once he returns there will be further options for the team.

Kevin Davies is still at least three weeks away from returning to action. There has been a lot of talk recently as to who will wear the number 1 jersey, but it will be down to who is playing best at that time. I do think though that Kevin will need a few reserve games to recover fully.

Alex Giscombe has a slight groin strain, but was more or less fit for Saturday. Danny Gray is two-weeks away from fitness - when he returns we'll have another option up front. Unfortunately Rory Hunter's season is probably over as he has suffered medial ligament damage.

Byron Bubb's return from Grenada for the Canvey game was a welcome one. He adds more competition, but he certainly felt the cold sitting on the bench! Donovan Reed's debut was reasonably succesful. He was only on the pitch for a short time, but did show his pace and strength. It's possible he may start with Ryan Wiffin up front in the next game."

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Aylesbury 0 Canvey 2

19Mar
2004

Another good display from Aylesbury United saw them lose 2-0 to runaway Premier Division leaders Canvey Island. The result certainly wasn't the whitewashing many had predicted beforehand, the home side matched their visitors at times.

Both sides struggled in blustery conditions, with the ball swirling wildly around the ground. After few early openings, Canvey took the lead with their opening attack, predictably through Lee Boylan.

Alvin Bubb missed an absolute sitter to level the match, before the second half. Aylesbury couldn't get out of their half for much of the second period, mostly becuase of the wind, but Canvey still struggled to create chances. Their second goal didn't come until the last minute of the game, through Jeff Minton.

As ever, full report now online.

Click here: Canvey Report

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Weekend Round-up

19Mar
2004

The Reserve Team were beaten 3-1 in their Saturday trip to Dulwich Hamlet. The afternoon quickly turned into a nightmare, as owing to demonstrations and bad road conditions, the team arrived at 3.05. Kicking off twenty minutes late, Dulwich ran out winners.

The Sunday Youth Team earned a 1-1 draw with Chalfont Wasps in their final game of the season. Matt Prince scored the goal, but the Ducks couldn't win the match which would have seen them clinch third place.

Meanwhile the Ladies Team were beaten 4-3 in a close encounter with Launton. Two more Davis goals, and a strike from Sally Green for the Ducks still weren't enough to clinch the result.

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Ducks Sign New Striker

18Mar
2004

Manager Paul Curtis has added to his options up front with the signing of striker Donovan Reed. Donovan is a strong and pacey forward who has played for Buckingham Town (where he played with Paul) and Brackley Town, and has scored 17 goals in 13 games for Thorplands United this season.

Donovan will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's game against Canvey.

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Squad News Ahead of Canvey Game

18Mar
2004

Paul Curtis has shared the latest news ahead of tomorrow's top vs bottom clash at Buckingham Road.

Matt Hayward trained last night and seemed to be ok. It's expected he'll play against Canvey, but will be assessed before kick-off before a final decision is made.

Byron Bubb is back, having scored for Grenada last weekend, and will also be in the squad for the match. With Byron and new signing Donovan Reed, we should have a few more options going forward.

Alex Giscombe is carrying a groin injury and is doubtful for Saturday's game.

Definitely out though are Jay Gould (holiday), Rory Hunter (injury) and Kevin Davies (injury).