Hertford Town 4-2 Aylesbury United

By James Knight

Following The Duck's win against Flackwell Heath at Holloways Park, Aylesbury United travelled to Hertingfordbury Park yesterday to face an inform Hertford Town side. Hertford have started the season well after picking up 8 points from a possible 15. There was a new young duck in the backline yesterday as we welcomed 18-year old defender Archie Quinlan to the team. The young centre back comes on loan from League One Wycombe Wanderers, making his first appearance for Aylesbury United.

Hertford were the sharper of the two sides from the off, doing well to make The Ducks work harder without possession to try and find an early opening. Hertford's frontline of Patrick Matejko, George Peter Kingham and Shay Jade Taylor Darcheville showed great cohesion and communication with each other from the outset which created an early problem for the Duck's backline. 

This early pressure and midfield superiority amounted to an early lead for Hertford Town after 21 minutes as their number 11, Shay Jade Taylor Darchville opened the scoring after slotting one past our man between the sticks Jack Hopwood. Aylesbury almost hit back after the restart as an expert ball was put into the mixer by Wil Turner who made short work of the Hertford fullback after beating him by cutting inside and turning, the ball found Ike Okwusogu but Hertford Town keeper Josh Bowler pulled out an incredible save in the top right corner to tip the ball over the bar and out of play. 

Huge shouts for a penalty were voiced by the Aylesbury faithful as Ike looked to be pushed in the back in the box before the break, but it amounted to nothing as the referee wasn't happy with the claim. Abdullah Jellal played a great ball over the top from a set piece which met a salmon-like Finlay Reeves but there was not enough power generated on the header and Bowler collected it comfortably. 

Aylesbury struggled to find their rhythm going forward despite great winger play from Wil in the first half whilst Hertford's attack continued to be strong after a defensive mix-up let Hertford through on goal once again but the forward who only needed to hit the target – thankfully the effort crashed off the crossbar. Despite this Aylesbury made it into half-time and very much still in the contest at 1-0. 

Aylesbury needed to put more effort in as an attacking unit if they wanted to get a result here and sadly any hopes of an early response in the second half were extinguished by Hertford Town as only 6 minutes after the restart Ayo Oyebanjo Quadri capitalised on another Aylesbury defensive mix-up to put the home side two goals to the good. Paul Batchelor responded shortly after as Abdullah and Adam Martin make way for substitutes Ex Buanga and Sonny French. 

The Ducks almost respond immediately as Ike chased down the keeper and the ball ricocheted towards the goal, it looked as if it was rolling in but there was a stunning goal line clearance from the Hertford centre back to keep them in control. Wil continued his mazy runs as on two occasions he beats the deeper Hertford midfielders and fullbacks', cuts back and plays the ball into the danger area but there was no one there to finish it both times much to the delight of the Hertford Town faithful. 

Shortly after Hertford left-back Jesus Mendoza received a booking after a cynical challenge to stop a promising Ducks counterattack, it goes from bad to worse as Patrick Matejko caught the Aylesbury backline sleeping and produced a great finish to put his side 3 goals up on sixty-two minutes. 

Finlay was replaced by Lee Stobbs in the 72^nd which breathed some life into the Ducks's attacking play, Wil's electric efforts were finally rewarded as he managed to pull one back for the away side, very well deserved for his tireless work rate yesterday afternoon, game on. The goal gave Aylesbury some belief and confidence as the away side began to show signs and regain more possession compared to the first half until this scrappy game's tensions finally boiled over: there was a sizeable confrontation between both sides as James Bone clips a Hertford Town defender's ankle without any touch of the ball, both 11s were engaged in a short brawl before the referee regained control and a generous amount of cards were given out. 

Super-sub Lee Stobbs gets another goal for the Ducks after striking the ball from just outside the box with enough power to slot past the keeper, suddenly the tide was shifting and the Ducks around the ground were suddenly thinking if the side were capable of two remarkable comebacks in quick succession after the amazing display against Sittingbourne in the FA Trophy. This comeback of all comebacks was sadly made impossible shortly after as Hertford Town substitute Lene Burden took advantage of another silly defensive mishap from Aylesbury killing any hope of another dramatic result. 

It finished Herford Town 4, Aylesbury United 2. Credit is due to the Ducks as they showed great character to pick themselves up in the final quarter of the game to get themselves back into things but sadly the late effort amounted to nothing, with Wil deserving his flowers for working tirelessly throughout his time on the pitch. For the Ducks it was ultimately an afternoon where a lack of defensive cohesion was capitalised on multiple times by the Hertford frontline, little was shown going forward by Aylesbury until the final moments but they had ultimately given themselves too much of a mountain to climb.

Goals:Hertford Town — Shay Jadie Taylor-Darcheville 21’, Ayo Oyebanjo Quadri 51’, Patrick Matejko 62’, Lene Burden 87’

Aylesbury United — Wil Turner 75’, Lee Stobbs 84’

Half-time: Hertford Town 1–0 Aylesbury United

Attendance: 252

Referee: Benjamin McDonald

Photo Gallery: 2026/2027 Hertford Town - Gallery - Aylesbury United

With thanks to Kristen Clarke

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