Report Jools Thomas

Aylesbury FC 0-4 MK Dons Star man: Sonny French

It was a case of defeat but not disgrace in this Berks & Bucks County Cup game at the Affinity Investments Stadium. Two goals, either side of half time, were followed by two late goals as the heavy pitch and MK’s superior fitness and greater experience finally showed.

The opening few minutes were fairly even. MK’s Adam Chicksen flashed a shot past Simeon Charles’ post and a few minutes later FC’s Brian Haule produced an almost carbon copy chance with the opportunity also going begging. Sonny French continued FC’s bright opening with a shot just clearing the bar on the quarter of an hour mark. Matarr Touray was the next to have a gilt edged chance. He found himself in a face-off with the MK keeper but couldn’t chip the ball sweetly enough and the ball went straight to MK’s Ian McLoughlin. A few minutes later and Kwasi Frimpong put Brian Haule through. Brian would normally leave defenders for dead but it’s not every week he plays against a full England international and ex Leeds and Manchester United man Alan Smith intercepted, knocking the ball to safety. At the other end Alan Smith had a half chance hitting the ball over the bar just before MK took the lead. FC keeper Simeon Charles tried to play the ball out of defence but he was robbed on the edge of the box and Daniel Powell stroked the ball into an empty net.

FC couldn’t have had a worse start to the 2nd half. Within a couple of minutes the away team had doubled their lead. A smart turn and shot by Charlie McDonald flew past Charles’ right hand to make the score 2-0. The ever industrious Sonny French tried another long range blast soon after but couldn’t direct his shot. MK’s superior fitness and all round guile started to show as the half progressed. They were finding more space in the midfield areas and their strikers were able to make dangerous runs in the box. Charlie MacDonald hit another worthwhile strike that Charles tipped round the post. Soon after however FC had a golden chance to get a goal back. A dangerous Ronayne Marsh-Brown pass into the box resulted in a tussle between Brian Haule and an MK defender which resulted in a penalty being awarded. The big man chose to take the penalty himself but smashed the spot kick the wrong side of the keeper’s left hand post.

Fc legs were tiring somewhat at this stage and it was not really a surprise that two late goals were added. Both were scored by Giorgio Rasulo and both were quite similar in their execution being created on the left wing and involving low crosses into the box.

The ground staff had done a superb job in getting the pitch playable, MK Dons had played a very entertaining and sporting brand of football, the match officials had had an excellent night and all in all it had been, score aside, a perfect night in which to showcase our club to the 328 people in the crowd and the wider footballing world.

MK Match Report

Line Up
1 Simeon Charles
2 Lamar Simpson
3 Luke Abraham
4 Kwasi Frempong Sub Off (79')
5 Craig Faulconbridge
6 Ronayne Marsh-Brown
7 Max Farrelly
8 Sonny French Man of the Match
9 Brian Haule Sub Off (76')
10 Leon Osei
11 Matarr Touray Sub Off (75')
12 George Tomlin Sub On (79')
14 Ollie Lynch Sub On (75')
16 Kurt Morlese Sub On (76')