Report by Jools Thomas

It was a welcome return to league action for Aylesbury FC in this Southern League encounter at Haywood Way and whilst there were chances at both ends, the respective managers of both FC and Potters Bar should be pleased with this point.

FC started the game the brighter of the two sides. In the 1st minute Sonny French played in Gareth Price with Town keeper Mike Underwood whipping the ball from the striker’s feet. Soon afterwards a mix up in the Town defence gave Gareth another opportunity before Price had his third chance of the game. French played him in. Price hit the ball first time from a tight angle but found only the side netting.

Town replied in the 9th minute. Laurence Rispoli played in Evando Delgardo with his shot being miscued and sailing wide. This was the precursor to the opening goal of the game. A melee in the box saw the ball fall to Josh Hutchinson whose half volley from the edge of the penalty area, slipped into the bottom corner past the despairing grasp of Aylesbury keeper James Weatherill.

On 19 minutes Price and French linked together to create a reasonable chance with Sonny getting a shot away which Underwood managed to collect. Danny Burnell had the next chance and on another day, the striker would have buried his attempt, however on this occasion he blasted the ball over the bar. David O’Connor making his full FC debut had a busy time in the 1st half and his tussle with Delgado on 22 minutes led to the Potters Bar striker once again testing Weatherill. Danny Murphy tried to get his team on level teams with a free kick which the keeper managed to tip over the bar. From the corner Murphy swung in a cross to the back post with Kyle Anthony waiting to head home the equaliser. Davis Haule could have added to the lead if his header had not skimmed past the post and as half time approached, Gareth Price’s low effort also cleared a post.

The 2nd half was just a few seconds old when Ashley Harrison – Barker fired blazed a chance wide for the away team. Soon afterwards Tom Boxer played in Josh Hutchinson for a half chance as the visitors made a much more positive start to the half than their hosts. A series of close offside decisions went against Aylesbury as the half progressed before ex-Mole Lamar Simpson swept the ball from the left hand side but his effort failed to trouble the FC goal.

Substitute Aston Goss, Gareth Price and Adam Logie combined well on 70 minutes as the game ebbed and flowed and just a few moments later Aston Goss could have given his side the lead had his header been better directed. Lynton Goss provided a useful pass to Aston Goss with 10 minutes left on the clock with the away keeper managing to get his weight behind it. Josh Hutchinson reminded FC of his side’s attacking capabilities driving in a low effort which Weatherill could claim only at the 2nd time of asking. As the clock ticked down, Lynton Goss and Danny Murphy had chances but neither opportunity came to anything before the referee blew the final whistle.

Line Up:
1. James Weatherill
2. David O'Connor - Yellow Card '57
3. Daniel Murphy
4. Ollie Hogg - Sub Off '44
5. Connor Baker
6. Kyle Anthony - Goal '31, Man of the Match '90
7. Davis Haule
8. Adam Logie (Captain)
9. Danny Burnell - Yellow Card '33
10. Sonny French - Sub Off '60
11. Gareth Price - Sub Off '70

Used Subs
12. Aston Goss - Sub On '44, Yellow Card '61
17. Bradley Wadkins - Sub On '60
14. Lynton Goss - Sub On '70

Unused Subs:
15. Robert Tomlin
16. Ken Feyi