Aylesbury 1s make it two in a row in the rain

Mens 1s took on Berkhamstead 1s in torrential rain on a cold Wednesday night. Having won the first Preseason match on Saturday against Sonning they were looking to win the second game in 4 days. Berkhamstead were a unknown quantity coming into the game so would prove a good test for Aylesbury.
The team remained the same from the weekend but with Josh Tomlinson returning for his first game of preseason.
The game started with Aylesbury having lot of the possession and creating a few chance but did not really challenge the Berko goal. Berkhamstead started to grow into the game and created chances of their own but much like Aylesbury, could not create a real chance.
It was Aylesbury who made the breakthrough from a short corner. Marc Hignell’s low drag flick just outside the right hand post was met and tipped in by Jim Usherwood for his first goal of the season. The second followed soon after, again from a short corner. This time Jake Hodgins stepped up from top D and smashed the ball passed the Berkhamstead goalkeeper.
Berkhamstead’s short corner nearly found them a way back into the game just before half time but a great save off the line by Chris Hunter kept the score at 2-0.
The second half saw Aylesbury have a lot of possession but failed to add to their lead. It looked like Aylesbury may look to regret wasted chances when Aylesbury lost possession in the centre of the park and a great run form the Berkhamstead forward finished with the ball being fired across the goal into the far corner. This lead to a period of pressure from Berko but Aylesbury’s back line held firm and kept Aylesbury in front.
The pressure was released off when Aylesbury found a third from a scramble in the goal mouth and Marc Hignell slotting the loose ball under the goalkeeper.
The final play of the game nearly saw Berko score their second when the Berko forward slotted the ball pass Best in goal only for a heroic sliding dive across the goal mouth to deflect the ball wide by Mark Bowes which capped of a Man of the match performance from the Defender.

Up next Aylesbury Old Boy’s.