Aylesbury United 2-3 Marlow FC

Report by Ben Slater

Three is the magic number! The Ducks conceded three again, losing 3-2 at home for the third time in two weeks.

Aylesbury fell short once again last Sunday in what was an enthralling counter at The Meadow. The difficult run of games has been coming thick and fast for the Ducks, and last Sunday's clash versus Marlow was no different. The Blues, as they're known, travelled to Chesham, having only lost one of their first six league games. They sat in third prior to kickoff and are tipped to be one of the teams in and around the playoffs come the end of the season.

The game started in a similar manner to the two previous home games against Royston and Waltham Abbey. The Ducks started those games in a slow, lethargic fashion, and this was no different. Goalkeeper Jack Hopwood was forced into a good save inside two minutes, but the Marlow pressure did not let up.

After a sustained early spell, the away side's dominance turned into the opening goal in the 12th minute. A poor mistake from Hopwood saw him throw the ball straight to number 15 Alfie Agar, who slipped in number 14 Will Gutierrez-Ramirez who finished without hesitation to send the away side into an early lead. 1-0 Marlow.

That was only the beginning of a bad first half for Aylesbury, as only two minutes later Marlow doubled their advantage. A clumsy challenge from Sonny French saw him clip the Marlow attackers’ heels, which gave the away side a penalty. Number 19 Enrique Tiamuna stepped up and just about converted past Hopwood. The keeper got a hand to the strike, but it wasn't enough to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. 2-0 Marlow.

The two early Marlow goals seemed to breed a bit of life into Aylesbury. A few tame efforts at goal were more encouraging signs for the Ducks, but nothing to show for their efforts. However, the game's major talking point was on the half-hour mark. Both sides were down to 10 men after an altercation between United’s Ike Okwusogu and Marlow’s Nahjai Abdi sparked a large scuffle. After a chat with both linesmen, this led the referee to the feeling he had no choice but to send both players off. The subsequent red card meant Aylesbury had to reshuffle. James Bone had to leave the field due to an earlier knock, and in came Finlay Reeves.

After the red cards, Aylesbury looked more assured and more likely to find a route back into the game. And in the 35th minute the deficit was halved. A good passage of play down the left saw midfielder Frankie Bircham enter the box; he then in turn cut the ball across the six-yard box, and defender Archie Quinlan somehow found himself in the right area to smash the ball into the roof of the net. His first for the club and a real lifeline for the Ducks. 2-1 Marlow.

After that goal, United looked ready to go again. For the remainder of the first half, it looked like there was a good chance the teams could go in level. However, that intent to equalise left Aylesbury once again vulnerable at the back and played into Marlow’s hands. In the 43rd minute Marlow broke with pace, playing through the thirds before the ball was slipped into the path of dangerman Naheer Nawaf, who emphatically powered a shot past hopwood. A damaging blow for the Ducks, who seemingly were edging themselves into the game more and more. HT 3-1 Marlow.

The Ducks came out for the second half knowing they were in a similar position to the previous home game. Having conceded three in the first half against Waltham Abbey, it was always going to be an uphill task to get anything from the game.

There was one change at the break with Rocko Tamplin replacing Kian Henry. A change in style and formation with the Ducks switching to three at back, with Jake Bewley dropping into the back three. A move from manager Paul Batchelor to try and get more attacking impetus on the pitch and gain a point from the game.

Those attacking-minded changes were always going to leave the team vulnerable, though, and in the 53rd minute Marlow looked certain to score their fourth, but for Archie Quinlan. The defender maintained his strong performance by executing an excellent block, keeping the game within reach for the Ducks. And nevertheless, 8 minutes later, the Ducks reduced Marlow’s advantage to one goal again. Good work from Rocko Tamplin down the left, saw him slip the ball across the box to September's player of the month, Aaron Onginjo, who arrived to slide the ball into the back of the net. 3-2 Marlow.

United's third change of the afternoon came shortly after, with Will Turner replacing Bakary Daffeh. Turner's impact was immediate. He provided more attacking intent and caused the Blues defender a whole heap of problems. In the 73rd minute he was involved once again. Jake Bewley played a lovely channel ball in behind the Marlow backline, Turner delivered a pinpoint cross into the centre of the box for Reeves, who looked certain to equalise, only to send his effort over the bar. Despair for the Ducks fans inside the stadium, with that surely being Aylesbury's best chance of the match.

That mishap didn't seem to affect the team though, and the chances continued to come as Aylesbury went in search of that all-important equaliser. In the 86th minute George Cleveland did well by harassing multiple Marlow defenders before unleashing a shot, but Matt Burrows in the Blues net saved well to tip the ball over the bar.

The Ducks had a flurry of corners in added time. The first corner of the match saw the whole team, including goalkeeper Hopwood, in the Marlow penalty area. The ball was whipped into the back post where Jake Bewley was left free, but his header was just aimed just agonisingly over the bar. Sonny French then went close before Aylesbury's final corner of the match evaded everyone, and in due course, the referee blew his whistle. FT 3-2 Marlow.

Another frustrating defeat for the Ducks, with the key being another slow start. Conceding three goals in the first half was always going to make it a tall order. Like the previous home game, there was no lack of endeavour, and the second-half performance saw much more to like about the team. The attacking talent and threat are there, but that isn't enough at this level with costly mistakes and goals being conceded down the other end. If the first-half performances can mimic second-half performances, then results should improve. Up next for the team is a trip to Slough in the Berks and Bucks trophy tonight, Tuesday 6th of October, before a huge 6-pointer in the league on Saturday against fellow strugglers London Lions.

Attendance: 205

Aylesbury United: Hopwood, Bewley (C), Quinlan, Henry, Onginjo, Bircham, Cleveland, Bone, Daffeh, French, Okwusogu

Subs: Emmanuel (73), Martin, Turner (64), Reeves (33), Tamplin (46)

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