Aylesbury United 2-2 Leverstock Green

Report by James Knight 

Aylesbury United rescued a point whilst battling the elements at The Meadow on Saturday as a late wondergoal and penalty kick salvaged a draw for the Ducks against ten-man Leverstock Green. The conditions were extremely harsh, the rain only got worse as the afternoon went on with the ball struggling to run freely across the wet surface but Aylesbury United battled on to secure a tie. 

Before kick-off, a minute's silence was held in memory of Chesham United Chairman Roger Payne, who sadly passed away. Thoughts go out to his family, friends and everyone at our host club.

The Ducks were piling on the pressure early as Jake Bewley's cross found Bakary Daffeh in the second minute, Daffeh's effort flew over the bar. At the other end, Jack Hopwood confidently punched away a promising corner to keep it goalless. Wil Turner then went up the other end and tried his luck but fired narrowly wide. 

RED CARD

The afternoon's first critical moment came on 14 minutes: Leverstock Green defender Kombe Kawimbe was given his marching orders after a straight red was given following a heavy challenge with his studs raised much to the distaste of the Green's staff and fans. Further cards followed for members of the visitor's bench as referee Matthew Leaning dealt with the aftermath. This early advantage could have proved promising for the home side but Aylesbury United struggled to take control. 

Despite the opposition's red, Aylesbury could not find a response. The wet surface was making passing difficult, with the ball skimming away and deliveries running beyond their intended targets. Wil Turner was played through on goal on 26 minutes but could only find the side netting. 

0-1 27'

Moments after Wil's chance, the ten-man visitors found an opener, after a spell of what could only be described as head tennis around the edge of the area, the ball fell to Ryan Carruthers who caught his effort cleanly and fired past Jack Hopwood. The Ducks had work to do here in the rain to get back on top and eliminate any chance of an embarrassing result against ten men. 

The Ducks responded well with sustained pressure towards the interval. Jake Bewley came closest as he rattled the crossbar in the 40^th minute coming so close to an equaliser, Leverstock Green held firm, controlled the ball well in midfield and took their lead into the break.

Aylesbury made two changes after the break which saw Ike Okwusogu and Sam Bajaha for Chase Matthew and Rocko Tamplin, Ike Okwusogu is now available again after serving his suspension after his red card. Conditions were much worse now after an hour or so of continued rain, players were losing their footing and the ball struggled to run freely in places. Finlay Reeves came close from a well worked free kick on 58 minutes, but the visitors delivered another devastating blow. 

0-2 59'

Ashton Corder, who was only introduced to this game five minutes earlier, doubled Leverstock Green's advantage with 30 minutes left to play. Heads were dropping, players looked sluggish and unhappy with the scoreline, but they knew that there was time left to get something out of this rainy contest. 

Pooya Karimi replaced Frankie Bircham as the Ducks were searching for a way back. The Ducks go close to pulling one back as a promising moment is halted for a foul in the buildup. Turner then produced an excellent run, twisting and turning through multiple players but his effort curls just past the top corner of the Green's goal.

Leverstock continued to look dangerous on the counter: Jack Hopwood made an important save on 83 minutes to prevent a third which would have surely settled the contest for the away side. Shortly after, Sonny French was through on goal one on one with the opposition's man between the sticks; Leverstock goalkeeper Ryan North was able to make an excellent stop to deny French. It was looking to end as one of those annoying afternoons until Ike Okwusogu changed everything. 

1-2 88'

The substitute striker unleashed a belting strike from outside the area in the 88^th minute that curled over the heads of the centre backs and past the keeper into the far top corner, halving the deficit giving the Ducks renewed hope of salvaging something at the Meadow with only minutes left to play. The drama was not over yet!

Aylesbury United were awarded a penalty on stoppage time, handing Finlay Reeves the chance of completing an unlikely comeback!

2-2 93' PENALTY 

With the pressure on, the young forward converted in the 93^rd minute, his spot kick proving to be the last act of the match, Aylesbury completed what seemed to be an impossible comeback in the dying moments of the contest.

A bitter finish for the visitors after playing with ten men for most of the game, coming so close to taking all three points. It was relief for the Ducks after a frustrating performance, but credit to the Ducks for keeping going until the final whistle. 

Attendance: 135

Aylesbury United: Hopwood, Bewley (C), Matthew, Quinlan, Daffeh, Brown, Turner, Bircham, Reeves, French, Tamplin

Subs: Emmanuel, Karimi, Okwusogu, Stobbs, Bajaha

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