WE GET A KICK UP THE PANTS

After a very good start to our pre-season preparations with 3 wins from 3 games we came down to earth with a bump with this heavy defeat against Aylesbury United. Played at Chesham United's ground where the Ducks will play this season on a pitch that looked excellent we produced our worse performance so far although in mitigation our opponents are a very good side and played very well.

United play at a higher level but we have demonstrated in the past that we can compete at this standard with memorable wins over fellow Southern League sides Kings Langley in the St Marys Cup Final at the end of last season and against AFC Dunstable in last weeks friendly.

Normally we are solid, well organised and competitive but we failed to show these qualities against the Ducks. We found ourselves 2 goals down after just 13 minutes with some poor defensive play and the Ducks added a 3rd just before the break with a cracking goal from their 16 year old midfield prodigy. We did improve in the second half and Max Hercules was denied a consolation goal by a good save from the keeper before the Ducks wrapped things up just before the final whistle with a 4th goal to add some late salt to our wounds.

A disappointing performance and result but we can console ourselves that we are unlikely to meet any teams of United's calibre and hopefully we will had any complacency knocked out of us.

We have one last friendly at home to Redhill on Saturday before the real action starts on Tuesday 1st August when we entertain Leverstock Green in what is likely to be a highly competitive Herts Charity Shield Cup tie.

Squad: James Caitlin, Zac Crawford, Jack Seaton, Dave O'Connor, Dan Steadman, Tommy Twelves, Ryan Reeves, Max Hercules, Seb Smith, Josh Hart, George Carbery, Ben Seaton, Ryan Sturges, Jack Read, Chris Vardy, Sam Joliffe, James Shaw, Louis Smith, Callum Woods.

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