| Do you ever get that sinking feeling? I do, because my feet are wet. |
| Having been comprehensively beaten by Aylesbury just three weeks earlier this game was never going to be one of those five wins on Chris Burns' checklist, however, the manner in which we were beaten must've left many City fans wondering if there would be one more victory, let alone five. |
| What made it so disappointing was the fact that the Ducks were without two of the players that had devastated City in January. Striker Drew Roberts sat out the game through suspension and midfielder Dean Cracknell had left for Conference South outfit Bishops Stortford. |
| Added to that pair was big forward Leon Gutzmore, another scorer at Meadow Park, who'd swapped a playoff challenge for a relegation battle at Hemel Hempstead (and a barrowload of cash no doubt). That news should cause grave concern among the City faithful as our basement companions bolster their squads whilst we seem unwilling or unable to add to ours. |
But the continued struggle didn't stop a small bunch of City fans making the short trip to Buckingham Road. The last time we were there we took three Supporters Club coaches, this time we couldn't fill one. The lack of segregation though gave us an opportunity to have a look round what turned out to be a disappointing little stadium.
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| Considering the amount of land on the site it seems that the ground was created with the bare minumum of spectator room. The stand is just five seats deep and seems rather tacked onto the back of the clubhouse as an afterthought rather than a centrepiece of the football ground. On the other three sides of the ground there's barely enough room to swing a cat. No wonder they call the popular side the 'Chicken Run'. |
| Aylesbury's place did have one advantage over the Miami Stadium at Cirencester though and that was the two covered areas that were well occupied on this wet, windy and unwelcoming day in Buckinghamshire. |
| The weather was a major player as the game kicked off. Matt Bath in the City goal had to be alert as the home team pressed early doors, but his gloves were more useful for keeping his hands warm rather than keeping the ball out of the net. At the other end Neil Griffiths could've got his first goal since November but his header was cleared off the line from a City corner. |
And that was it for the best part of the first half. The Aylesbury club shop did a roaring trade in sleeping bags as both sides failed to produce anything of note and the game degenerated into a dour midfield battle.
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| Thankfully Bathy was still on his toes as when the action resumed he did well to keep out a low shot from Daniel Mead after the Ducks had cleverly worked their way to his near post. |
| Next up was Paul Edgeworth, the frightening winger (in more ways than one) who'd bagged the opener at Meadow Park. This time his sights weren't set for the far corner and he could only find Bath when he should've done better. |
| Although they weren't having too much luck at the business end, City were trying and sometimes were getting the better of their opponents with ease. Lee Smith, a player who has struggled to produce over recent weeks found himself subject to close scrutiny from his markers and was twice fouled within the space of a few minutes. Both challenges produced a card for the Aylesbury men, Gavin Jaggard and Paul Lamb. |
Chances did come though and when they did Jack Rashid proved to be as hard a nut to crack as he was in the previous game. First he denied Daryl Addis and then, on the stroke of half time he prevented Jimmy Cox from scoring at point blank range, although it was more of a miss than a save.
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| Having had the wind at our backs in the first half, the second period would prove to be one of frustration for the Tigers. City didn't have enough strength in depth to be able to cope with the different conditions but Aylesbury did and they brought on a striker, Garry Cook, for Jaggard the midfielder. Even though they had a number eighteen on the field, it wasn't another change, it was full back Colin Baker in a clean shirt. |
| It seemed only a matter of time before our defence was breached as the Ducks resorted to shooting practice when Edgeworth warmed Bath's hands with a drive that the City keeper did well to puch behind. |
| The caution count was levelled with two bookings for City in a few minutes. First Wilko was late into a tackle and then Griff earned a card as the referee did one of those 'over there and over there' signals. |
When Aylesbury's first goal came it was City who were the architects of their own downfall. Chris Burns had a throw in an advanced position but the lack of a target man saw it easily cleared and a swift counter attack and cross by Edgeworth was converted by Cook sliding in at the near post.
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| Another change for the home team as Danny Gray was replaced by Clive Ridley, but the more significant substitution came in the shape of Adie Harris on for Burns. Of course, his appearance was mocked by the home fans but welcomed by those from Gloucester as he's a player, even at forty-one years old that can make a difference. |
| The only problem was that one man doesn't make a team and one swallow doesn't make a summer as it proved when Aylesbury cut through to score another. There were suggestions of a handball in the build up but the Ducks new striker Daniel French was the only one who didn't stop as the breezed through and rifled in a shot that found the net via the crossbar. |
| To show how downbeat some of us are I got talking to a chap who works for Bristol City and asked him if we could borrow a few players to see us through! |
City couldn't get a break and were being frustrated by a well organised Aylesbury defence. Although it didn't help that when we did get an advantage in the shape of a free kick we weren't allowed to take it quickly as goalscorer Cook stood in front of the ball. Neil Mustoe kicked it against his legs and Cook was booked, much to the disdain of the bunch of senior citizens keeping warm next to the tea hut.
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| Aylesbury made their third change when Baker was replaced by Ian Brumwell. This was matched by Lyndon Tompkins being withdrawn to give Marvin a short run out before Mustoe was the victim of a harsh booking as he was adjudged to have fouled on a fifty-fifty ball. |
| The City fans almost had something to cheer in injury time when Adie Harris found room on the left, cut in and shot but his effort was deflected wide. Typical really because I had him in the goalden goal. |
| To be honest I expected to come away from here this afternoon pointless, but it has to be said that Aylesbury were a shadow of the team that comprehensively did us at Meadow Park three weeks earlier and if we're in a relegation fight I expect us to get more out of scrappy games. |
| Onto Hednesford on Tuesday. Pointless again? |
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| Tiger Roar Man of the Match - Neil Griffiths |
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Neil Griffiths
Star Man |
The attack failed, the midfield struggled and the defence almost held out, not least thanks to Lyndon Tompkins and Neil Griffiths, so it's the latter that picks up the award.
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