Men's 1s beat promotion rivals Banbury to move into Promotion spots

Aylesbury mens 1s welcomed second place Banbury 2s to RAF Halton for their biggest fixture of the season so far. Aylesbury were two points behind Banbury with a game in hand so was vital that they did not lose this match to take them 5 points adrift of the top two. Aylesbury were without Jake Hodgins this week due to the birth of his daughter the day before. Dan Smith and Andy McIntyre also dropped out of the squad. Paul Gregory returned from holiday to return to the starting line-up. Ollie Hassall returned to make his second appearance for the first team after impressing back at West Hampstead. Clive Chandler stepped in to make his first appearance of the season.

Banbury came out of the blocks hard at Aylesbury with some early pressure. Aylesbury’s full backs Matt Kiely and Ben Ireson soaked up the pressure as they had done throughout the season. However, Banbury were the league top scorers and would be an almighty achievement to keep them at bay for the full 70 minutes. Banbury nearly went 1-0 up when there centre forward got a shot away from top D which was heading into the far bottom corner but Keeper Stephen Best pull out a full length dive stick save to tip the ball around the post to keep the score at 0-0. Banbury had a succession of short corners which the closest was when the Banbury left slip put the ball onto his reverse stick and short skimmed of Best in goal onto the post and behind. Aylesbury looked to be in for a tough couple of minutes when they went down to ten men after Graham Thwaites made a late challenge on a Banbury forward. Banbury have another golden opportunity to go 1-0 up when the centre forward broke through one on one with Stephen Best in goal but the forward could not get past Best on his stick side and Best smothered the ball clear.

Aylesbury came back into the game with some good play down the left side, an aerial from Austin Greenlee into the path of James Penson who brought the ball down the baseline put Banbury on the back foot and backs to the wall defending to avoid going behind. Aylesbury also had short corners of their own but were also unable to convert. The pressure Aylesbury were putting in Banbury proved too much when Austin Greenlee received the ball in the midfield and beating two players hit the ball into the circle and Marc Hignell was in the right place to deflect the ball between the keeper’s legs to open the scoring a put Aylesbury ahead. Aylesbury continued to pressure right up until the half time whilst but were not able to extend their lead and when into the break 1-0 up.

Banbury started the second half very similar to the first with a lot of possession and they had a very good chance early on to draw level. The Banbury forward picked up the ball 5 yards out and flicked the ball across the goal but Stephen Best got a big glove on it to deflect the ball away from the goal and the Banbury forward coming in at the back post. Aylesbury then regained control in the game and saw Banbury put back on the back foot with Aylesbury playing their best game of the season. Aylesbury looked as if they wanted the win much more that Banbury winning most of the 50-50 challenges. Aylesbury’s dominance soon saw them score their second of the game. A class 70 yard pass down the line from Oli Hassall and Austin Greenlee’s pace got him to the pass in front of the defender who he beat on top D and smashed a reverse stick strike passed the Banbury keeper to double their lead and Greenlee to score his ninth of the season.

Aylesbury would have to play defensively for the last few minutes of the game, they lost James Penson to a green card for knocking the ball away. Aylesbury were able to keep their clean sheet in tack with great performances from Ben Ireson and Matt Kiely who had been so solid all game and the final whistle went with Aylesbury winning 2-0.

Aylesbury celebrated a great win with a social afternoon/ evening starting with a bag full of beers in the changing rooms after the game courtesy of Ben Ireson and a team night out to celebrate a great season so far and a very strong team spirt in the camp this season which has played a big part in the team’s success this season.

Aylesbury move above Banbury into the promotion spots in the league. Three point behind Milton Keynes with a game in hand. Next week Aylesbury travel away to Marlow 2s.