DUCKS MAINTAIN PLAY-OFF PRESSURE
AYLESBURY United strengthened their playoff hopes with a comfortable 3-1 defeat of Bedford
Town.
Ty Deacon set the Ducks on their way to three points which leave them seven clear in fifth as he opened the scoring with 22 minutes on the clock.
While they were largely in control of proceedings, it took until past the hour to create breathing space through Lewis Osbourne’s effort from 18 yards.
Sonny French made the points completely safe with 64 minutes played but it was left to Bedford to have the final say as Matty Harriott scored the goal of the game with a late longrange strike.
Meanwhile, Yaxley gave their promotion hopes a shot in the arm with a 3-1 victory of their own against North Leigh.
Yaxley started the stronger of the two sides and broke the deadlock thanks to a towering Charlie Johnson header.
They were pegged back only two minutes later when Harry Grant fired a fierce drive through the Yaxley stopper to make it all square at the break.
Early second-half pressure saw Yaxley first hit the post before restoring their lead through Ross Watson’s header with the interval still fresh in the memory.
Watson’s day turned for the worse soon after when he was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Lance Williams, but Yaxley still sealed the points with a third deep into stoppage-time.
St Neots Town put in a solid display as they claimed a much-needed point by virtue of a 1-1 draw against Biggleswade.
It looked as though Town were set to be their own worst enemy after some haphazard defending allowed Scott Joseph to break the deadlock.
However, they responded well to the setback and grabbed the equaliser which ultimately ensured the spoils were split thanks to Tommy Boxer’s effort.
Biggleswade would end the game a man light after a lunging tackle from Dan Newton saw the centre-back catch Lee Watkins and earn him an early bath.
Bottom side Wantage Town were no match for
Bedworth United as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat which leaves them 14 points adrift at the foot of the table.
Wantage made a start which belied their lowly league standing as a 10th minute strike from Samir Regragui gave them a shock lead.
They were pegged back on 41 minutes in stunning fashion as Mitchell Piggon found the net with an overhead kick – a strike which saw Wantage breach the 100 goals conceded mark.
Things got worse on the cusp of the interval as Wantage found themselves trailing to Luke Keen’s headed effort.
Bedworth sealed the win with five minutes remaining when an Alexander Troke effort finally put Wantage to the sword.
Kempston Rovers and Kidlington played out a 1-1 draw which saw the majority of the action take place in the first period.
Kempston were reduced to ten men in the 21st minute when Jordan Wright’s foul gave Kidlington a penalty kick from which Ben Willougby calmly converted.
Despite having an extra man Kidlington failed to take the game away from their rivals, who sit three places above them in the league in 16th.
Rovers levelled the scores with 43 minutes on the clock when Sam Johnson found the net and they held on to the point resolutely from there.