Saturday 3rd October 2009

Aylesbury Men's had a mixed set of results in the first round of league matches.

Mens 1sts

The 1st XI travelled to local rivals Amersham full of confidence after their recent victory over them at the Bucks Cup. They also travelled with a much changed side for the 3rd week running, this time due to a host of injuries, largely to the very successful youth section of the team, leaving the average age this week higher than it has been for several years.

On a windy and overcast Newlands Park pitch the desolate surroundings were reflected in the sober and quiet opening exchanges between the teams with neither side really finding their rhythm. Debutant Gurney upfront put in plenty of leg-work in eager support to the increasingly impressive young Ollie, but with little meaningful support from Gregory and Hill Aylesbury never looked like scoring outside of set-pieces where skipper Gregory did come close with a well struck penalty corner well saved by the Amersham keeper.

Aylesbury continued to struggle to find the pace or intensity of the previous weekend, and the experienced partnership of Bowes and Pridgeon in the centre of defence looked unusually shaky, with Austin providing cover for their mistakes.

Usherwood and Bond laboured in midfield to create openings, whilst Niall rampaged up and down the right to little effect. In the end Aylesbury were kept in the game with some fine saves from former South-African international junior ice-hockey goal keeper Wayne - which earnt him man of the match on his debut.

With the return of the goal scoring expertise of the injured juniors next week Aylesbury should hopefully stabilise their side as the league season goes on. This counts as 2 important points dropped, not a point one.

Mens 2nds

The 2nd XI faced a physical Leighton Buzzard 1st team and suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at home.

Mens 3rds

The 3rd XI travelled to Wallingford for a late start against their 3rds and also went down to a narrow 2-1 defeat, although Wallingford are expected to be one of the stronger teams in the division.

Mens 4ths

The 4th XI exacted some revenge with a comfortable 4-1 win over Wallingford 4ths with two goals from Waddy Wilson and one apiece from Charlie MacLaughlin and Rob Fulton.

Mens 5ths

The 5th XI visited Leighton Buzzard 4ths and let slip a 2-0 lead, with goals from Tim Berendt and Chris McIntyre either side of half time, to hand Leighton Buzzard a 2-2 draw in a game Aylesbury dominated from start to finish.