The 2018-19 season curtain-raiser saw the Moles travel north to newly promoted Coleshill Town with a renewed vigour and optimism following a productive pre-season both on and off of the pitch.

After an unforgiving season previously, new manager Scott Reynolds had been tasked with rebuilding the squad for a brighter future, utilising a mix of new players with experience playing in higher and lower divisions, whilst also retaining consistent performers such as Jordan Jenkins and Craig Carby.

Coleshill Town were an unknown quantity at this level, playing their first competitive game at Level 4, with the teams meeting for the first time. After a cagey start it was the hosts who looked the more dangerous in the final third. A low cross from Joe Smith could have caused issues in the penalty area, but Jordan Jenkins was on hand to clear before Rob Evans failed to test Nick Bennion in the FC net with a speculative volley from the edge of the penalty area.

The Moles looked to grow into the game, with Adam Morris seemingly having all the freedom to spray passes around from midfield, however, attacking players were not quite on the same wave length and the Coleshill defence was holding firm eliminating any potential danger.

Reece Leek had a half chance for the visitors midway through the first period, after Josh Webb picked him out at the back post, however, his diving header was wide of the back post. Aaron King had the Moles’ best chance of the half – quick thinking from a Carl Tappin throw in played the talisman in but scuffed his shot under pressure from two Coleshill defenders, with Paul Hathaway gathering comfortably.

The Moles looked comfortable in possession but were struggling to create opportunities in the final third. Ryan Ware looked a livewire, who after being played in by Carl Tappin’s reverse ball, beat one defender before being thwarted by a second just as he looked to pull the trigger. Adam Morris delivered an inviting ball across the host’s penalty area soon after, desperate for an Aylesbury player to gamble, however, it was missed by everyone and cleared to safety. Whilst both half-chances the visitors would rue these missed opportunities.

A Coleshill corner was only half dealt with, falling kindly to Ryan Edmunds on the edge of the area, whose mishit volley bounced fortunately off of the 3G surface to an unmarked Joe Smith who acrobatically converted past Nick Bennion. Soon after, the hosts doubled their lead, with Smith picking up an opening day brace – a magnificent curling effort from 20 yards to the top left-hand corner had the FC stopper beaten all ends up. The hosts had an opportunity to make it three late on, but Danny Tymon’s low driven effort was scarcely wide of the far post.

Attendance: 158

Aylesbury FC MOTM: Jordan Jenkins

Next Match: AFC Dunstable (H) – 21/8/18 7:45 K.O.