Report by Dan Legg
After a fortnight away from league exploits after snowy conditions saw games postponed up and down the country the Moles were back in Southern League action, with a fixture as tough as they come – a trip to league leaders Peterborough Sports who were yet to taste defeat in the league at the Bee Arena.
Aylesbury, however, were looking to upset the odds and complete a league double against the Turbines. The hosts were quick out of the blocks and with only five minutes on the clock, took the lead with their first attack of the game. Mark Jones was afforded far too much space on the edge of the Aylesbury penalty area, and took the opportunity to test Nick Bennion, who was slow to get down to the low driven effort which rifled into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal.
The Moles were determined to not let this early setback let their heads drop, and they slowly worked their way into the game, with lots of good possession in the centre of the park. Bruno Brito looked lively, and almost forged a great goalscoring opportunity for the visitors. Paul Field’s throw in was only cleared as far as the Portuguese attacker, who tried his luck from the angle of the penalty box, but his low strike was inadvertently blocked by Brian Haule. Sports had the opportunity to double their lead soon after – Lewis Hilliard threaded an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Dion Sembie-Ferris, who with the goal at his mercy fired into the advertising hoardings to the left of goal.
As the Moles looked to see out the first half with the deficit at just one goal, Jordan Jenkins unwittingly handled a Sembie-Ferris cross, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Lewis Hilliard stepped up, and despite a strong hand from Nick Bennion, the ball span over the line to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
The tunnel was being rolled back out, but there was still time for Peterborough Sports to add to their lead before the break. Again, Hilliard and Sembie-Ferris were reading from the same hymn sheet, with the latter beating the FC offside trap before outwitting Nick Bennion to poke home before the half-time whistle.
Half Time – Peterborough Sports 3 Aylesbury FC 0
The hosts went further ahead less than ten minutes into the second half, Hilliard showed great feet and strength to fend off Jordan Jenkins before teeing up the overlapping Mark Jones who fired home from 20 yards for his second of the afternoon and Sports’ fourth.
Jones was then given an opportunity to complete his hat-trick, Davis Haule was given his marching orders by the man-in-the-middle Gareth Davis for laying hands on Paul Malone, with the referee having no qualms about awarding another penalty. Much like the first spot kick, Nick Bennion got a hand to it and this time it stayed out, the penalty was at a good height for the stopper, but a great save, nevertheless.
The hosts were not going to take their foot off the accelerator and completed the rout when substitution Abduramane Sano-Sali converted from a couple of yards out after rounding Nick Bennion.
FC almost grabbed a late consolation goal when Ryan Young showed clever feet and great pace to reach the by-line, before floated a tantalising ball towards the back post with new acquisition Elliot Amadieu arriving, however the striker couldn’t quite make contact with the ball.
Full Time – Peterborough Sports 5 Aylesbury FC 0
Aylesbury FC MOTM – Bruno Brito
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
14. | Welwyn Garden City | 38 | 43 |
15. | Aylesbury United | 38 | 42 |
16. | Barton Rovers | 37 | 38 |
17. | North Leigh | 38 | 34 |
18. | Kidlington | 37 | 33 |
19. | Dunstable Town | 39 | 32 |
20. | Aylesbury | 38 | 31 |