An important day in the Aylesbury and District League
Saturday was an important date for many reasons in the Aylesbury and District League with some big results impacted a number of the league's sides.
Congratulations go to Aylesbury Penguins FC and Stoke Mandeville Reserves FC as they reached the Semi Finals of the Berks & Bucks David Grainge Trophy. Both teams, alongside Wingrave had tricky ties against Reading area sides. Aylesbury Penguins needed a 90th minute Ellis Constantinou goal to see off AFC Winkfield Reserves 1-0. Stoke Mandeville Reserves held Allied Counties Elite to a 2-2 draw before a 4-3 win on penalties. Wingrave sadly succumbed 0-3 at home to Mortimer Reserves. With old friends Oakley Utd the 4th side left, the draw will be interesting for the last 4.
The ADL Reserve Cup Oving Reserves reached the Semi Finals with a 2-0 away win over AWFC Reserves.
In the Thomas Field Shield the last four line was completed as Hemel Rovers beat AVTT 4-2. Hemel now face Oving on 14th March. Stoke Mandeville face Wendover on the 21st March in the other Semi.
Ready for the 3rd April Good Friday Final.
Back in League Action and Saturday could be the date the Premier Division Title race changed. But there are a number of scenarios that could still determine where the title ends up. Leaders Oving had their impressive unbeaten run since last years promotion ended by their closest rivals Great Missenden. A 4-0 win sees the pendulum swing IF Missenden win ALL their final 5 games. Charlie Brooks, Danny Vegas-Holt and Dan Hunt made it 3-0 at the break, Graham Stevenson adding a late 4th.
However, Hemel Rovers hold the key to the title having to face both sides still, even for themselves to win it. Oving must beat Hemel twice in their last two games. Should they do so it will still need Great Missenden to win their next four games for both sides to be on 37 points. To secure the title Missenden would need at least a point in their final likely game Vs Hemel. A Hemel win would mean both Missenden and Oving would only be separated by goal difference.
In a further twist ‘should’ Hemel win their 9 games, including beating Missenden, then those two sides could be locked on 37 points. Anoher goal difference decider. Stoke Mandeville are not out of the race after a 5-3 win over Elmhurst; Mohammed Ali Khan put Emhurst ahead before 5 goals in 30 minutes gave Mandeville the points. Further twists could occur should Oving only get a maximum 1 point from those two final games that could leave them both on 32 points. They would also need Hemel and Missenden to drop points, stranger things have happened as both sides will have Cup games to focus on too. Wendover are one of those sides who could upset Missenden’s chances, they beat Aylesbury Hearts 4-1 in the days other game. Stuart Creaser and Bruno Passaro with first half goals, Justin Lopez got a goal back before Ryan Ryder and Joel Munt extended Wendover’s advantage.
In Division One with bottom side St Leonard’s finally bowing out and their record being expunged it changed the make up of the title race and potentially the promotion race. Rivets are the new leaders who benefited from the St Leonard’s withdrawal but a 2-2 draw with Thame B stopped them capitalising on their three rivals cup exploits. Ricky Blake and Georgie Toms netting for Thame.
Rivets lead by 2 points over Stoke Mandeville Reserves who have a game in hand and Wingrave have two games in hand. Aylesbury Hornets could be back in the chase, a 2-1 victory saw them squeeze past Wendover Reserves. The relegation battle involves 5 sides now after Haddenham Utd beat Tring Athletic A and hopefully are far enough away with a 11 point gap. Jack Prendegast opened the scoring before Ryan Simms scored twice. AVD Warriors now sit bottom with Oving Reserves second bottom after the table amendment.
In Division Two leaders Steeple & Ludgershall cruised to a 10-1 away win at AVTT Reserves, Jacob Hodgins scoring four times. Steeples focus may now be on a League and Cup title like last seasons Division Two winners. AFC Chesham romped to an 8-1 away win at Wendover Colts to remain 2nd, 12 points back with a game in hand and a game to face Steeple as they try to catch the leaders.
Chearsley beat Aylesbury Hornets 3-0 to sit third; The Connors sealing the points as Substitute Connor Cox made it 1-0 before Connor Ferguson netted twice. Aylesbury Royals have games in hand but had yet another council pitch game called off alongside Aylesbury Penguins Reserves. The Final game saw Thame C move away from the bottom with a 4-0 win over Hemel Reserves; Julian Reed with a hat-trick.