By Jools Thomas

FC welcomed Maidenhead United to Aylesbury this evening in a competitive battle. Whilst this was a sporting encounter it was by no means a friendly kick about. Full blooded tackles went in, passion and commitment was displayed and every attempt was made by both teams to get forward. All in all a really positive work out for the men in red and black. That the 4-1 score line wasn’t perhaps a fair reflection on the proceedings with defeat came about for two reasons. Firstly the superior guile, tactical awareness and creativity of the Conference South side and secondly a lack of defensive awareness and concentration from FC when dealing with breakaway attacks.

The opening quarter of an hour saw Maidenhead strike the woodwork twice. The first chance deceived Simeon Charles with the ball slapping the bar and the second was a deflection off Max Farrelly which looped over Simeon before again striking the bar. The visitors took the lead on 23 minutes; a cross from the right being forced in at the near post. Just three minutes later and the score was doubled. Space was found on the left hand side of the area and the ball was hit low into the bottom corner. Brian Haule had to leave the field injured and substitute Lamar Simpson came on. This allowed wingers Jerome Federico and Gareth Price more space to run and thus FC were afforded more attacking options. Just before half time, one of these chances was converted as Jonathan Constant found a run in on goal, danced around the keeper and slotted the ball into an empty net.

On 52 minutes a contentious incident occurred. After Maidenhead had hit a post, FC went up the other end and as Jerome Federico looked for space in the box, he appeared to be unfairly bundled off the ball. That the referee did not award a penalty was a surprise to many. On 66 minutes Constant fired in a low range shot which the keeper managed to gather as the attacking work of FC started to produce more chances. Shortly afterwards however Maidenhead grabbed the decisive third goal. An innocuous left wing foray resulted in a shot which beat Simeon Charles through the tiniest of gaps at his right hand post. Shortly afterwards came the move of the match which unfortunately did not produce the goal it deserved. Romaine Walker skipped through half a dozen challenges before unleashing an effort the keeper did well to save as Federico blasted the rebound over the bar. Federico was still looking for a goal when he blasted a free kick which the keeper held on 82 minutes before Maidenhead scored their 4th, a breakaway on the right with the ball skipping into the net from a low right foot shot.

Line Up's

1. Simeon Charles.
2. Max Farrelly.
3. Ronayne Marsh-Brown.
4. Jack Thomson.
5. Lee Grant.
6. Ben Stevens.
7. Jerome Federico.
8. Davis Haule.
9. Brian Haule.
10. Jonathan Constant.
11. Gareth Price.

Subs
Nick O'Donovan.
Kwasi Frempong.
Lamar Simpson.
Ollie Hogg.
Romaine Walker.
Derek Feyi.