Aylesbury Hornets FC endure tough start to new season…
On the face of it, 3 losses in the first 3 league games of the new 2021 season would suggest Aylesbury Hornets FC are likely to finish, as they they did last season at the bottom of their division. However, on closer analysis greater optimism is justified. In all 3 games the team has looked creative in possession, created more chances each game and played with a certain amount of style.
A steep learning curve
Each game has been a learning curve and an opportunity for new players to bed-in and maximise their performance within the team. Indeed there has been such an influx of new players that not all have yet been blooded and are still eagerly awaiting their first start .
3 games 3 losses
The first game was a loss 3-1 to St Leonards (the result of a couple of costly individual errors) and a an opposing team who at 2-1 camped in their own half for a good 40 mins. The second game was a loss to Prestwood…and the 3rd game this weekend hornets FC played St Johns.
Profligacy in front of goal robs Hornets of their first win v St Johns
In today’s game, a narrow defeat (3-2) to St Johns. Hornets created a plethora of clear chances but managed to squander all but two of them. Craig scoring cooly when put through, one on one with the keeper and Jack (back after injury ) coming on second half to smash an equaliser into the top corner from 18 yards, to make it 2-2.
At this point an hour into the game, Hornets were rampant. They held the ball well in midfield, sniper and James F were dominant at the back and Jack was starting to make his presence felt. But somehow Hornets failed to capitalise and having come back from 2-0 down felt like the job was done and it was only a matter of time before they left the pitch as winners to gratuitous hugs and kisses from an adoring crowd of housewives, blokes walking dogs and random nightclub owners. Wrong.
St Johns starved of possession got the ball forward and from a scrappy clearance the ball fell kindly to a St Johns forward who gleefully slotted past Michael in goal.
It seemed a total travesty and the team were to say the least disappointed to lose a game which, was there for the taking. But there is little need for recriminations, over the 3 games so far Hornets have improved each game and despite numerous changes in personnel, have in patches played good quality, entertaining football .
So as they say when the going gets tough… dig in and have a little faith.
As the summer is ending, there are new shoots of hope sprouting in Hornets hearts and manager UZi and assistant Martyn are confident that Hornets first appearance at their new Home pitch in Halton will result in their first victory of the season…watch this space!
Gallery below includes pics from the first 3 matches and the pre season friendlies too. Click on picture for full image.
*Photographs Courtesy of Big Stick Photography
*James looking happy after his hat-trick 
Manager & Assistant ponder…
Aylesbury Hornets FC team pic
