Men’s 2XI v South Berkshire

Aylesbury Men’s 2s were away to South Berkshire looking to preserve an unbeaten start to the season. Having been sent to the wrong ground Aylesbury were fortunate to have also been given the wrong start time and therefore had time to prepare for the fast starting opposition.

In fact it was Ays who started the better and looked the most threatening. Dave How intercepted the ball in midfield before driving and slipping in Stephen Best who had his shot saved. The ball came back to How who was also repelled before goal machine Daniel John Inkley scrambled the ball over the line for 1-0.

Thanks to Ady Portlock in goal and some resolute defending from Thomas Richards, Ben Husbands and Doug Kershaw it stayed that way until half time as South Berks took control of the game and forced several penalty corners.

In the second half the Ducks were again in the back foot, crucially lacking a bit of pace and invention in the final third while having to suck of pressure at the back. James Harrington went closest after a great run and a lob over the keeper that went just wide but Ays could not find the breakthrough for the second goal.

With Mark Bowes going off with an age related injury the rejigged defence held strong for a while but South Berks finally broke Portlock’s resistance when a free man in the D put in from close range. Soon after South Berks made it 2-1 when a turnover in midfield resulted in a fast counter and Ays were behind for the first time. Despite a brace of short corners late on the equaliser would not come and it ended in a disappointing defeat for the away side.

Next week it is back to Halton and the 2s will be looking to get back to winning ways.