DUCKS IN SEVENTH HEAVEN
IT WAS a great day to be an away side in the Southern League Division One Central branch as Kidlington, AFC Dunstable, Berkhamsted and Aylesbury United all came away with wins on the road.
But nobody enjoyed their day as much as Aylesbury United, embarking on remarkable ten-goal thriller in a 7-3 win at Yaxley.
United found themselves 4-0 up after only 25 minutes but the last 20 minutes of the second half saw Yaxley respond with three goals of their own, with the visitors themselves admitting they were lucky to be ahead.
The seven first half goals were spread across the two teams with Jeanmal Prosper, Sonny French, Horatio Hirst and Aaron Berry striking for Aylesbury before Joe Butterworth, James Ward and Ross Watson replied for Yaxley to keep things interesting heading into the second period.
French added a second to his tally on 51 minutes before two more, including a Yaxley own goal completed the goal fest late into the second half, leaving everyone to draw breath on what was a remarkable game of football, even if the defences were somewhat questionable.
United now find themselves just three points behind Yaxley in the table and will be glad of the win, regardless of how surreal, as before the game they were in danger of getting sucked into an early relegation scrap.
Elsewhere, a goal from Matt Bateman with 25 minutes to go saw
Berkhamsted walk away with all three points at Welwyn Garden City.
An extremely tight affair at the top end of the table saw both teams create chances however it was Berkhamsted who were the most clinical.
The win now sees them only two points behind Welwyn Garden City in the table which will disappoint the manager Adam Fisher as a win would have catapulted the men from Hertfordshire to the top of the table; albeit with the most league games. Elsewhere, North
Leigh lost their third consecutive league match after an unlucky 2-1 defeat against AFC Dunstable.
The visitors broke the deadlock after just four minutes thanks to top goal scorer BJ Christie, once again on top form in front of goal.
However, it didn’t take long for the Millers to respond after a nicely timed backheel by George Seacole set up Josh Pinn to make it level the scores after nine minutes.
AFC Dunstable regained the lead shortly after the break when Christie doubled his tally.
North Leigh did have a chance to equalise in stoppage time when debut substitute Diogo Campos was brought down in the box by the Dunstable keeper, but Eddie Stevens was unable to convert from the spot meaning North Leigh’s barren spell continues.
North Leigh are now only two points above the relegation zone and need to start picking up wins quickly if they are to head up the table before Christmas, though time is certainly on their side.
Kidlington recorded an excellent away win by beating fellow relegation rivals Aylesbury 1-0.
But those three points take on more significance than most as their first of the season, closing the gap to two points towards the teams around them.
Ben Willoughby scored the only goal in a scrappy contest during which it was clear that both teams are struggling.
The Greens also had a goal disallowed on 66 minutes when Luke Peerless saw his header ruled out for offside.
Both sides will need to improve the quality of their performances if they are to survive this year, but it is a good win for Kidlington regardless.
Next week will see the top three all put their unbeaten records on the line, with Bromsgrove Sporting playing host to Dunstable Town, while Corby play Aylesbury and Peterborough Sports are also in action at home to Bedford Town.