Report by Jools Thomas

Whilst Aylesbury returned home from traditional bogey club Chalfont with what many could view as a valuable point, others may see this match as a missed opportunity for a win. Two lapses of concentration early in the game left the Moles with a difficult task and whilst hard work and a good deal of sweat eventually grabbed the team a point, it was still a case of what might have been.

FC fans were still walking to their favoured spots behind the goal when Chalfont grabbed their first goal. A cross from the right was met by Jerrell Lewis whose looping header beat James Weatherill. The energetic Dan Burnell responded with FC’s first chance after ten minutes but his low shot was fired wide of the goal. On 18 minutes Aylesbury fell further behind. An unmarked Daniel Hughes found himself in acres of space and he had merely to plant a shot goalwards to wrong foot Weatherill.

FC had given themselves a mountain to climb but good interplay between Sonny French, Adam Logie and Burnell created a half chance soon afterwards and this was followed by a quality Sean Sonner cross that home keeper Mike McEntegart only just gathered under pressure. Burnell and Sonner linked up again to create more problems for the home defence with the keeper once again equal to their efforts.

On the half hour mark useful interplay between Bradley Wadkins and Gareth Price produced a great cross which Dan Burnell was able to pounce upon before sweeping the ball into the top corner to reduce the arrears. Chalfont could have restored the two goal difference straight from the restart with Lewis pouncing on a chance which was turned away for a corner. Ex Mole Liam Fowler also tried his luck sending in a fizzing shot which Weatherill palmed to safety. Finally Wadkins, Sonner and Burnell all had great chances to draw the sides level as FC finished the half on a high.

Aylesbury were unable to maintain the late first half momentum in the opening minutes of the second period. CSP’s Hughes took a shot that Robert Tomlin did well to block however FC came into the game as the minutes ticked by. Sonny French had two notable efforts before play was again switched to the Aylesbury goalmouth. Luke Brooke Smith saw a free kick just flick past the post and then a Connor Baker slice was cleared from the line thanks to team mate Danny Murphy as play flowed bath and forth.

With fifteen minutes left, FC snatched the equaliser. A right sided corner was headed home by Kyle Anthony much to the relief of all connected with FC. Once again the home team almost replied immediately. Aaron Lansiquot was presented with an open goal however the chest high ball proved difficult to control and he could only smash his effort over the crossbar.

FC decided to take things up a gear in search of the winner. Wadkins crashed in a terrific low drive which the keeper did well to parry and then the chance of the evening came and went for Aylesbury. Lynton Goss’ powerful daisycutter could only be deflected by McEntegart into Aston Goss’ path and a combination of desperate defending and good luck from the home defenders saw the ball spin over the bar and to safety.

Sean Sonner’s flying header, a few seconds later, failed to find the target yet hearts were still in FC mouths with the very last kick of the game. A free kick on the edge of the Aylesbury box saw Daniel Ailey’s effort dramatically tipped over the bar by Weatherill as the referee drew a close to this fascinating, all action encounter.

Man of the Match : Danny Burnell