Ladies 2s manage to secure their second win this Season

Despite fielding a team of young newcomers to the second team this week, Aylesbury matched up to the mature Rickmansworth team with confidence. Taking the game to the opposition, they quickly won possession and outmanoeuvred them with deft passing and quick turns.

As the game progressed, both teams were afforded chances to take the lead. Acrobatic diving from keeper Karen Munson kept Rickmansworth at bay, while the driving force of player of the match Tiz Brooks and Zoe Collin upset midfield. A few opportunities, however, were lost in the striking 'D' and, just before half-time, a scramble in the defensive 'D' saw Rickmansworth take a lucky lead.

Undeterred, Aylesbury changed into an attacking formation for the second half, sure they could still win the game. The appearance of Emily Penson gave some much needed fresh legs to the forward line, supported by the midfield youngsters Beth Forrest, Tilly Ray and Clemmie Jackson - all of whom grew in confidence and skill as the match wore on.

Eventually, Aylesbury was rewarded for its relentless attacks with a pass across the face of the goal to the waiting stick of Mel Rose on the back post who leathered the ball into the net. Spirits raised, the home team continued pressuring the Rickmansworth defence, with captain Liz Brooks and Robyn Dunne easily passing the ball around the 'D' until a short corner was won from a mistimed tackle. The ball was slipped wide to Tiz Brooks who flicked the ball into the side netting, taking Aylesbury into the lead with ten minutes to go.

With a mind on keeping the lead, Aylesbury battened down the hatches and defended solidly against a desperate Rickmansworth fighting to pull it back to a draw. Debutant Lauren King outplayed her winger to drive counter-attacks up the left, while workhorse Ann Davis didn't give her mark an inch of space to make a competent shot. The final whistle eventually came and Aylesbury had won a hard-fought battle against an equal opposition.