Kipper Save's a point for 1's with last touch of the game vs Sonning

The final weekend before the mid-season Christmas break saw Aylesbury Travel to Sonning Lane to face a Sonning side sitting 3rd, one place behind Aylesbury in the league. Both teams we after the 3 points which would leave whichever team gained them would go into the Christmas break in at least second place.
Aylesbury were without top goal scorer Jake Hodgins who had work commitments. Ben Ireson was still in recovery from a hand injury picked up at BA and Josh Tomlinson was also missing from the squad. This Saw Tim Atchenson return to the side and Chris Hunter returned after a week away.

Both teams came out of the blocks hard knowing what an important game this could be for both teams season. Sonning created the best chances in the opening half of the game. Stephen Best saved a reverse stick strike from the Sonning forward. Jim Usherwood saved a short corner off the line to keep the score at 0-0. Aylesbury’s created many counter attacks but were unable to create many chances in the first half. Sonning hand another free shot at the top of the D but again Stephen Best managed to get a kicker to the ball to keep the score goalless at half time. This frustrated Graham Thwaites who said one word too many to the umpire at half time leading to receiving a green card and a two minute sin bin.

The half time team talk spurred Aylesbury on at the start of the first half and being after a lot of pressure in the first half, Aylesbury put more pressure on the Sonning defence and Dan Smith after a good run put the ball on a Sonning defenders foot for Aylesbury’s first short corner of the game. From the resulting short corner Aylesbury were ahead after a good routine leading to Dan Lindars scoring his fifth goal of the season so far. Not bad for a full back!

However, this goal seem to be a wake up call for Sonning who again began to pile the pressure on Aylesbury. Best in goal put another reverse stick strike just round the post. A loose pass put the Sonning forward through on goal but Best did enough to close down the angle for a simple save. However Sonning pressure broke the A’s backline when the ball made its way to the Sonning forward 2 yards out his shot was save by Best diving to his left but could only clear the ball to an oncoming Sonning player who put the ball into the net to draw the sides level.

More pressure from Sonning led to a dubious second goal. A wild reverse stick strike which was off target at a dangerous height which headed straight towards Matt Kiely who deflected the ball away from him but only into the net which was allowed to stand by the umpires. This did not please Aylesbury’s coach Jaypee Wentzel who was sent out of the ground by the umpire.

Aylesbury looked to be heading to their first defeat of the season. Aylesbury won a short corner as the final whistle blew which would be the last chance to take a much needed point away from Sonning Lane. The Injection was a bit to off target leaving Chris Hunter to have to tap on his strong side and fired a shot at the goal which was blocked by the number one runner into the path of Graham Thwaites. Kipper who had never score a goal in an Aylesbury shirt controlled the ball and lifted it up over the Sonning keeper into the net to save a point for Aylesbury!

This goal made the Christmas drinks even sweeter on that night!

Aylesbury reached the half way stage joint top of the table but second on goal difference. Aylesbury are also the only undefeated side left in the league with 6 wins and 5 draws. The A’s will look to carry this form into the New Year and seek Promotion to MBBO Regional 1 division after a well-earned month off over Christmas.