Match Report from Kidlington

Kidlington 3 Aylesbury 2
This relegation battle turned into a real thriller, especially in the last few minutes of this all action match.

Aylesbury took the lead in the 4th minute. Joakim Ehul fired a pass into Brian Haule and the big striker. As cool as you like, flicked the ball into the air and volleyed it up and over Kiddy stopper Sam Warrell for 1 – 0.

Kidlington were having the lion’s share of possession and were almost constantly on the attack, but the Aylesbury defence were holding firm.
On 18 minutes Aylesbury struck again, all be it a bit fatuously, but they all count. A long ball forward by Jordan Jenkins was chased by the visitor’s forwards, however Marvin Martin looked to have it covered and back flick it to Warrell, he got it all wrong and Bruno Brito nipped in to round Warrell and score for 2 – 0.

After this goal Kidlington started to really press on, but on a dreadful pitch Kidlington’s passing was all at sea. This didn’t stop the Greens having two decent chances before the break; firstly Piers McGlyn hit the outside of the station with a powerful shot, then Tommy Castle rose well to head a Lewis Coyle corner just over the bar. This was the score at half time and to be honest if The Greens were to get anything from the match they would need to improve quite a bit in the last third of the park.

Kidlington Manager Julian McCalmon made a couple of changes at half time bringing on Ben Willoughby and Josh Tooke for Jack Quainton and Piers McGlyn. It was obvious that Kidlington were going to press from the start and this they did, however in the opening exchanges Willoughby took a blow to his face and needed lengthy medical attention, the majority of this on the side-lines. After around 5 minutes and a change of shirt Willoughby came back on, however only for couple of minutes as it became obvious he couldn’t continue, Darius Browne came on to replace him.

Whilst all this was going on Lewis Gabbidon was denied by a good stop from Aylesbury’s young debutant keeper Matt Crowther.
Kidlington were keeping the pressure well and truly on with their opponents who were now fighting a brilliant rear guard battle, Jordan and Sam Odusoga leading the way for them.

Gabbidon was in the thick of all Kidlington’s good moves and when he got on the end of another Coyle corner only a brilliant stop from Crowther, palming the ball over the bar, prevented what looked a certain goal. Eventually pressure told on an Aylesbury back line which was busting at the seams, and it was Gabbidon who got the breakthrough. Yet another Coyle corner was arrowed into the box, Gabbidon rose well and powered the ball into the back of the net for 2 – 1 on 83 minutes.

Suddenly there was hope within the Kidlington ranks as the Aylesbury players visibly shrunk in stature and confidence. The Greens powered on and to be honest it was no real surprise when Anaclet Odhiambo (pictured) netted in the 85th minute to draw the side’s level. Odhiambo smartly turned in a cross from Darius Brown for 2 – 2.

Kidlington weren’t finished and with some of the Aylesbury players looking dead on their feet they stormed forward with attack after attack. Right on 90 minutes’ Anaclet Odhiambo conjured up the winner. A smart ball forward set the little man free and on goal, as Crowther stormed out from goal Odhiambo chipped the ball over him and into the net, cue rapturous celebrations in front of the stand.