Men's 1s start the New Year with a win

Aylesbury Mens 1s returned after the Christmas break to face Oxford 2’s for a friendly at RAF Halton. Oxford were sitting 8th in the league above Aylesbury. Aylesbury were without, Jim Usherwood, Josh Tomlinson, Austin Greenlee, Iain McLean and Ben Ireson who were all unavailable for this fixture. The return of Martyn Collins and Pete Atcheson who were both on Christmas holidays from Uni was well timed.

Aylesbury started the match positively and made an early breakthrough through when Jake Hodgins beat 2 defenders and shot was deflected in by Marc Hignell in front of the Oxford Keeper. Once Aylesbury had gone ahead, Oxford began to get hold of possession and tested the Aylesbury defence. But the Aylesbury defence stood firm as they had for so much of the first half of the season. Matt Kiely and Tim Atcheson both making important interceptions to deny Oxford a shot on goal. Oxford won a short corner to gift them their first shot on target but the low flick was dealt with by Stephen Best in goal.

Aylesbury forwards Jake Hodgins and Andy McIntyre created chances to extend Aylesbury’s lead but the Oxford defence pressure was enough to keep the score at 1-0 at half time.

Second half saw Oxford put more pressure on the Aylesbury defence but still found it hard to break down the Aylesbury back line. And Ariel Ball over the top of the Aylesbury Defence was met by the Oxford captain who put the ball just wide after pressure from Best. However, Oxford finally found the equaliser. The initial shot was saved by Stephen Best but the Oxford Captain latched onto the rebound to put the ball passed Best to draw level.

This kicked Aylesbury into gear and they started piling pressure onto Oxford. More chances for the Aylesbury forwards went begging Jake Hodgins fired a shot narrowly passed the right hand post then a ball across the goal mouth couldn’t be turned in by Hodgins on the stretch. Aylesbury’s pressure then proved too much for Oxford but it did take a bit of magic from Paul Gregory to put Aylesbury Back in front. Gregory met the pass from Hodgins and drove into the D on the right hand side, when he got into the D he rifled a ferocious shot across the keeper and into the far top corner. Oxford threw everything at Aylesbury in the last five minutes which in the end was their undoing when a neat counter attack between Andy McIntyre and Dan Lindars ended with McIntyre putting the ball into an empty net.
Aylesbury will take huge confidence from beating higher league opposition for the resume of the league next week. Aylesbury travel to Banbury Road North to face Oxford Hawks 3s who sit 10th in MBBO Regional 2.