Report by Jools Thomas

Playing a newly promoted team can often present its own challenges. Both players and supporters are eager and enthusiastic to make a positive start. So it proved as FC met a very keen Kempston Rovers side and whilst the home team were certainly the quicker out of the blocks in the first half taking the lead through a stunning strike, the Moles certainly grew in confidence in the second half grabbed a deserved equaliser and only fell to a 94th minute penalty awarded for a debateable handball.

The earliest chance of the game was a James Faulkner free kick on the left hand side which hit the side netting before the home side started to take control. An attack by Ashley Fuller on the left hand side drew FC keeper Jack Brooker from his goal and as the keeper advanced, Fuller smashed his shot into the net from an ever acute angle.

No supporter could deny the home side their lead but it wasn’t all one-way traffic. Lee Stobbs enjoyed a terrific debut and he was unlucky that no team mates were round to stab home his cross after he had nut mugged two home defenders. There then followed two quick fire chances for FC as firstly Johnny Montgomery saw his shot from Kieron Turner’s square ball, blocked. A few moments later, Turner had his own opportunity but dragged his shot wide. Kieron had the final chance of the half as he tugged his shot slightly allowing the keeper to gather. Despite these half chances, there was no doubt the half belonged to the home team with the FC full backs not enjoying the most settling of debuts.

The first move of the second half saw Stobbs’ shot blocked and this was closely followed by a rising shot over the bar by Rovers’ Ieuan Riley. Stobbs was again in the action on 50 minutes and his left wing cross found the unmarked Aaron Couch on the far post who had the simplest of tap ins to level the score.

A clash of heads involving FC’s Ben Stevens caused the game to be held up for several minutes and this allowed the men involved to be tended to and other players to gain a breather and a well deserved drink.
Mark Lambert cracked a shot wide and Turner forced home keeper Martin Conway into a save as the away team’s confidence grew. There were a few half chances for both teams most notably from Stobbs but in the warm conditions, it was obvious that the pace would let up a little. Sam Johnson for the home team overlapped the full back on 79 minutes and Brooker had to be alert to save. A few moments later, a wicked cross from Fuller caused panic in the FC defence and only a combination of keeper and defenders cleared the ball for a corner.

The next move should have been the winner for Aylesbury. Lee Stobbs’ slide rule pass played in James Faulkner for a one on one with keeper Conway and only a save with the feet prevented a goal.

As the game moved into injury time, FC would have been satisfied with a point but when the home team launched an attack, the ball pinged against the elbow of FC sub Mark Carty from a distance of just a couple of yards. Unbelievably the referee awarded a penalty and despite protests a penalty was awarded and Ashley Fuller placed the ball past Brooker.

With the last kick of the game, FC were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the box. It was a golden opportunity to draw level but unfortunately Melchi Emanuel-Williamson hit the ball over the bar to bring the curtain down on a disappointing afternoon for FC.