Saturday 25 September 2004 - Buckingham Road - kick off 3.00pm Southern League Premier Division

City made two alterations to the side that had defeated Bridport seven days earlier, with Russell Milton and Graeme Power returning to the side after injury in place of Grant Monelle and AWOL Sam Bailey. These changes meant Jim Rollo dropped back to right-back allowing Milton to line up alongside captain Bobby Ford in the middle of the midfield. The early exchanges belonged to City as they twice went close within the opening ten minutes. Darren Hawkins’ cross flashed across goal just evading Steve Tweddle and John Williams and then Matt Coupe could only steer Milton’s cross wide of the goal. With City’s rearguard looking more secure than in a number of recent games the home side’s hardworking front pairing of Powles and Gutzmore where getting little in the way of opportunities despite their efforts, although Cracknell did send one shot straight at Paul Evans. Tweddle’s 17th minute shot brought the first save out of keeper Rashid and two minutes later Williams fired wide. So for all their dominance the familiar failing of turning this into clear chances was apparent. And there was also a brief reminder of the side’s defensive frailties when Coupe’s mistake allowed Gutzmore a sight of goal. In contrast to the matches against Bedford and Hednesford, Trought recovered to block the shot. With seven minutes left in the half City came close to breaking the deadlock. Ford collected a Hawkins pass and sent in a dipping 25-yard shot that thumped against the bar with Rashid well beaten. The host responded with their best opening of the half moments later. A quickly taken free-kick by Mead and Lamb set up Cracknell but his drive was comfortably held by Evans.

The second period began with Benefield firing over the bar but City struggled to match the control they had held in the first half. Aylesbury were seeing more possession and Coupe did well to deflect Mead’s shot away for a corner. Just before the hour mark City brought on Scott Partridge for Steve Tweddle and although he did not have the same impact as against Bridport he gave United enough problems to prevent them getting completely on top in the game. Twice though they did have strong shouts for a penalty. The first, when Power clipped the heel of Edgeworth, would have been harsh as it appeared accidental but when Gutzmore was bundled over by Coupe it had the 60 strong City following holding their breath for a second or two. In between Evans tipped Powles effort over the bar and Partridge shot narrowly over. As the game entered its closing ten minutes it looked destined for a goalless draw despite the efforts of both sides, but with six minutes left City fashioned a goal out of almost nothing. An Aylesbury attack was broken up and new signing Alex Sykes sent a cross field pass to Ford. He advanced toward the United area before pushing the ball ahead of Williams. The pass was perfectly weighted and the lanky striker stroked it past Rashid to register his seventh goal of the season. Aylesbury understandably threw caution to the wind after this and when Gray had a shot deflected for a corner keeper Rashid raced forward to join the attack. Bizarrely the corner was taken short and when it was finally centred City dealt easily with the threat, and seconds later the final whistle sounded to confirm a job well done by the Romans.