Report by Jools Thomas

FC climbed to the summit of the Southern League Division 1 Central for the 1st time since their entry into the division in 2010/11 and whilst the game would never go down as a classic, a moment of pure instinct from Davis Haule warmed the souls on a night of freezing temperatures at Haywood Way to secure maximum points.

It was the visitors who made much the brighter start and exerted early pressure on the Aylesbury centre half pairing of Kyle Anthony and club captain Ben Stevens who was returning from suspension. The defence was breached by James Tricks after a quarter of an hour. FC keeper James Weatherill ran out to block with a crunching tackle which the Daventry man took several moments to recover from. Tricks regained his composure and a couple of minutes later once again threatened with Ben Stevens getting in a last ditch block before shepherding the ball to safety.

Town continued to apply pressure and a melee in the box on 21 minutes gave Joel Gyasi the opportunity to shoot with his powerful drive firing off a defender and allowing Weatherill to gratefully collect. Jamal Clarke was the next man in purple to try his luck but his speculative shot cleared the bar as FC struggled to make any sort of stamp on proceedings.

It wasn’t until the half hour mark that the home team produced a chance of note. Lynton Goss chased down a ball on the left hand side and although away keeper Ben Heath blocked, the ball fell to Sonny French. Sonny’s snapshot had plenty of purpose but Heath had recovered enough to make another impressive save.

This was to be a temporary respite as Daventry returned to the attack with away centre half Clarke’s looping header being plucked from the air by a falling Weatherill. Bradley Wadkins had had a quiet game by his high standards but this changed on the 40 minute mark as his slide rule pass allowed Lynton Goss a sight of goal and he unleashed a drive which Heath did well to hold. The final action of the first half was also FC’s best chance. Sonny French was put clear on the right and his low effort was well saved by Heath who cleared the ball for a corner.

In the first minute of the second half Wadkins played in French whose shot was narrowly blocked and a couple of minutes later Gareth Price witnessed a half chance go begging as the home team threatened to step up a gear. Brad Wadkin’s was beginning to make his presence felt and he struck another fine shot which the keeper did well to hold. Jeanmal Prosper enjoyed an exceptional game and on 50 minutes he was able to break free on the right delivering a teasing cross which the keeper only just managed to cut out. Jeanmal and Sonny French then linked up well with Prosper hitting a shot which the keeper tipped round the post.
The next piece of action had FC supporters wondering just how their team had not scored. Wadkins’ cross found Lynton Goss and only a last ditch intervention by the keeper prevented a certain goal. Lynton Goss had another crack soon afterwards with a sweet turn and shot as the home team searched frantically for the breakthrough. Lynton was unlucky yet again as his half volley was swept over the upright.

There had been a handful of Daventry half chances during this period of play but this was just the backdrop for the key move of the match on 79 minutes. Bradley Wadkins crossed from the right hand side and although Town’s Aaron Harrison met the ball, his sliced clearance fell neatly to Davis Haule lurking on the edge of the box allowing Haule to rifle the ball home.

This was not to be the final action however. As the clock ticked down Town’s Jack Howard collected the ball and hit a scorching 25 yard shot which skimmed inches wide of the post much to the relief of everyone of an FC ilk.