Defeat at Uxbridge brings curtain down on a difficult season for Aylesbury United

After securing their Southern League survival with victory over Leighton Town last Tuesday, Aylesbury United were unable to end their season in style as they went down 1-0 to Uxbridge on Saturday.
Zaki Oualah makes a fine save from Matt Woods. Picture by Mike SnellZaki Oualah makes a fine save from Matt Woods. Picture by Mike Snell
Zaki Oualah makes a fine save from Matt Woods. Picture by Mike Snell

Thankfully for the Ducks, the defeat mattered little as, four days earlier, goals from Ellis Hercules and Stacey Field saw off Leighton Town 2-1 to keep United in Division One Central for another season.

Aylesbury were also in action last Tuesday when they were beaten by Beaconsfield, and manager Glyn Creaser made three changes from that side for the trip to Uxbridge with Lea Coulter, Reece Cameron and Bruno Brito restored to the starting line-up.

After just three minutes Uxbridge had the first of a number of handball appeals turned down, Wayne Carter’s shot stopped in the area after Anthony O’Connor found him with a through ball.

O’Connor then should have opened the scoring but his poor connection allowed Zaki Oualah to field easily.

However, after Jon-Jo Bates wasted another good chance, the Reds finally broke the deadlock after 21 minutes when a clever back-heel into the path of Matt Woods saw his shot well saved by Oualah, but the United keeper was left helpless as O’Connor calmly fired home the rebound.

Aylesbury struck back and, with their first effort of the half, nearly equalised. Brito did well on the left when found by Jack Beech, and his cross was brought down Cameron who struck a fierce half-volley that home keeper Sam Gray did well to keep out.

Beech then fired well over the bar from range, and although the Ducks forced a number of corners in a slightly improved end to the half, they were unable to take advantage.

The second half began with Aylesbury under a barrage of early pressure but Woods shot wide while Oualah saved from Woods before a goalmouth scramble saw several Uxbridge shots come to nothing.

Up the other end, Aylesbury hit the woodwork through Cameron, who cannoned the bar, but despite chances at both ends, there were to be no further goals.

It was a disappointing conclusion to a difficult season for United but their number one aim of remaining in the Southern League has been achieved.