Potters Bar 2 – 1 Aylesbury United

Match Report by Ben Slater.

The Ducks fell just short to table-toppers Potters Bar in their first league game of the new season. A tough test awaited the Ducks last Saturday afternoon as they travelled to the recently relegated step-three side Potters Bar. The Bar, as they're known, played in the Isthmian League Premier Division last season and were a stable side for seven years at that level. They're tipped by many as one of the favourites for promotion straight back to the Isthmian League.

Aylesbury started the game brightly, with the final ball being the key piece of the missing puzzle. Ike Okwusogu once again was a menace for the opposition’s defence, but none of his hard work came to fruition in the opening exchanges.

Potters Bar eased into the game, but for most of the first half the teams were evenly matched. Manager Paul Batchelor would have been pleased with his side's efforts going into the break.

However, nine minutes before the interval, Hussein Issa gave the hosts the lead. The Ducks’ backline fragilities showed as they failed to clear the ball on a number of occasions from a free kick. The ball in turn landed to the bar’s number 7, who finished with precision, powerfully striking the ball on the half-volley past interim keeper Johnny Pettitt.  

After the break the Bar started to put their foot down and punished the Ducks once again. Talisman for the Bar Albie Hall slotted the ball into the far corner after good work from wideman Johnny Allotey, with the Ducks’ defence helpless once again. Two nil down away to the top of the league, many sides would potentially crumble, but that goal seemed to spark Aylesbury into a different gear; just like the Flackwell Heath game midweek, the Ducks' heads didn't drop. Ike was at the heart of all good attacking play for the team. He looked certain to score soon after. A long ball was sent over the bar’s backline, with the defender misjudging the flight of the ball. Ike looked certain to score but for a last-ditch, heroic clearance. Soon after Ike went close again. A neat one-two slipped the forward in, but his effort flew just over the top of the crossbar.

The first substitution of the match for the Ducks saw Abdullah Jellal replace Ex Buanga as well as Finlay Reeves, who replaced Wil Turner. They both had an immediate impact, and soon after, the pressure paid off. In the 69th minute a long ball from Pettit once again breached the Bar’s backline. They were flat-footed, and Ike pounced. With his pace being a challenge for any defender in the league, he breezed comfortably away and showed composure under pressure to slot the ball past the helpless Jack Berman in the Potters Bar net. A third in two games for the in-form forward.

This seemed to give the players further belief that they were more than a match for the home side. Alfie Anderson replaced James Bone in the later stages and delivered a couple of tantalising deliveries from dead-ball situations which, on another day, could have seen the ducks equalise the game.

As the game entered the last 15 minutes, the Ducks started to pour bodies forward in numbers. Set pieces seemed to be an issue for the home side, and the Ducks started to target them. Finlay Reeves’s long throw came into use multiple times, with the ball scrambling about in the box causing panic for the Potters Bar defence. One of the subsequent long throws landed at the feet of Frankie Bircham, but he poked the ball over the bar. A chance which was arguably harder to miss than score.

The pressure seemed all too much for the Potters Bar backline, who gave the impression that they couldn't wait for the final whistle. The few times the Bar did break, they did pose a threat, but Aylesbury largely controlled the final stages. The Ducks’ best chance to equalise fell to Bakary Daffeh. Finlay Reeves delivered a delicious ball from the wing into the box, and Daffeh neatly redirected the ball across the goal. Berman in the Potters Bar net was beaten, but the ball drifted narrowly wide round the post.

It proved to be costly, as shortly after the chance, the referee blew his whistle, which saw the end to a game where the Ducks could have easily gained a valuable point if they had been more ruthless in front of goal.

An opening day showing, which many wouldn't be too disgruntled at. Even though the team hasn't won yet, there are clear signs for all to see that everyone is progressing in the right direction. Going head to head with a side who last season played at step 3 is no mean feat.

The determination shown by the team to not lie down will eventually bear fruit. Plenty to build on going into the next match, which sees the Ducks host Sittingbourne FC in the FA Trophy, back at Holloways Park. The game is scheduled for Friday 28th August, which means the players should all be well rested heading into a big month ahead!

Gate 312.

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