Saturday 27th February 2010

Men's 1st XI

Aylesbury Men's 1st XI: 1 - Brackell: 5

Aylesbury Men's 1st XI hosted Bracknell in their first home game that looked likely to go ahead for several weather interrupted weeks. With some good form behind them Aylesbury seemed confident of getting a result against the growing hockey power of Bracknell, particularly with a bumper crowd to roar them on, despite the elements which threw torrential rain and hail at everyone.

From the push back though the plan appeared to go wrong as Bracknell bounced the ball through the Aylesbury midfield and defence and with a fine finish were 1-0 within the opening 15 seconds. Aylesbury were reeling; the nervousness showed as they gave the ball away far too much, and despite running themselves into the ground, every time they retrieved the ball they turned it over. It was only a matter of time before Bracknell snatched their second, which they duly did. With 20 minutes remaining of the first half Skinner in goal and the normally stable Pridgeon and Austin in the centre of defence began to find their stride, and with Smythe and Penson as full backs began to peg Bracknell back. Stand in skipper Usherwood, with former England trialist Bond in the middle also began to work out the Bracknell midfield and to feed Greenlee up front.

At 2-0 down at halftime Aylesbury certainly didn't feel the game was out of reach. Starting the second half the rejuvenated JP Stevens on the left and Spencer returning from a spell in Canada, on the right, began to do some damage. This though left space behind them for the fast and organised Bracknell. Who soon exploited this to slot home a 3rd and 4th goal in deteriorating weather conditions. With Higgerton seemingly everywhere up front Aylesbury shored up their defence and began to get the ball out to him. It was too little to late though, and as the game drew to a close both sides claimed another goal, with Patterson finishing neatly from close in to leave the game a heavy loss for Aylesbury at 5-1. Overall a below par performance, not helped again by the ever changing line-up. After a close decision the man of the match went to Patterson.

Men's 4th XI

Aylesbury Men's 4th XI: 3 - Windsor 2nds: 8

Aylesbury's 4th XI lined up with six changes from the previous week. Although Aylesbury started the stronger taking the lead early on through Wadell, Windsor soon found their feet and started pushing forward. Windsor levelled the score and with Aylesbury on the back foot, added a few more before half-time. The half-time score was 4-1 to Windsor.

The second half started off in much the same way as the first with Aylesbury having some good early possession, but just couldn't add to the Aylesbury total. As the game got a bit more physical, Aylesbury's Fulwood was given a yellow card. With Aylesbury down to 10 men, Windsor took advantage and added to their tally. But Aylesbury didn't give up and with the score at 6-1, they did get onto the scoresheet again through Wadell and Wilson. Unfortunately Fulwood's return was short lived as injury forced Aylesbury back down to 10 men for the last quarter of the game.

Final score was 8-3 to Windsor. Aylesbury were outclassed by a team that is a lot lower down the league than the level of their hockey suggested, but held them at bay during the ten man periods.

Team: Charlie MacLaughlin, Anthony Wilson, Ollie Venn, Dave Bryant, Jack Rolfe, Wadell Wilson, Richard Locke, Dan, Adam Spragg, Mike Fulwood and James Harrington.

Men's 5th XI

Aylesbury Men's 5th XI: 1 - Amersham & Chalfont 5ths: 1

Aylesbury's 5ths found some much needed form to share the honours with Amersham. Despite some recent heavy defeats Aylesbury's lower ranks had kept some confidence in reserve and started this game in determined fashion. Rain and wind made the conditions particularly awkward yet Adam Biggs and Richard Anley looked at home in defence and debutant Mark Harrison lively up front. Aylesbury conceded against the run of play mid-way through the first period but almost immediately replied as Josh Timmins smashed home after good work by Sam Bennett. The second half proved a more even affair with chances being missed at both ends, and although Timmins hit the post after Aylesbury's best moves Amersham ended the game the stronger with several chances missing the mark or thwarted by excellent keeping by Phil Collis.