report by Tony Dolbear
Sutton's Bryco Cup interest ended on Tuesday when they were unable to force home the advantage of an early goal at Buckingham Road and Aylesbury came back to reverse the 3-2 scoreline from when the sides met in the league at Gander Green Lane in September. As in that game, Nick Bailey scored a goal in the last minute, but rather than a thrilling winner this one acted as merely a consolation as there was no time for U's to force an equaliser and an extra half hour. U's started the game well on top, and Nick Bailey came close after only two minutes, but they didn't have to wait long to take the lead as four minutes later Matt Gray's foray down the right ended with a cross which Mark Watson controlled before firing across goalkeeper Lee Worgan and inside the far post. As U's continued to dominate the early stages Bailey had a free kick deflected just wide and then saw another free kick from the left headed over by Lewis Gonsalves, and it wasn't until a quarter of an hour had gone that Aylesbury first threatened, Craig Maskell's shot deflected to safety by Ryan Palmer. The home side then established a foothold in the game, and several times came close to equalising, but just when it looked as though U's would reach the interval with their advantage intact, Fiston Manuella headed in a free kick deep in to injury time to bring the scores level. Apart from an early shot by Bailey, U's struggled to make much of an impact in the second half and after Joe Baker had sent a shot too high the former Sutton and Billericay winger paved the way for Aylesbury to go ahead when he broke free on the right and crossed for Kasie Ibe to dive and head home. Worse followed for U's with 19 minutes left as Maskell ran on to a pass over the top and showed why he has been among the Ryman League's top scorers in recent seasons with a well taken chip over Jamie Ribolla. U's keeper needed to make one good save from Gareth Risbridger to prevent Aylesbury going further ahead, but in stoppage time at the end Bailey scored the goal his efforts deserved when a Gray pass deflected in to his path and he went on to hammer his shot past Worgan, although it proved too little too late to keep U's in the competition.

Aylesbury: L Worgan, G Williams, A Stanley, P Thornton, D Gordon, P Ellis(sub M Rolfe 68), G Risbridger, F Manuella(sub R Hunter 81), K Ibe, C Maskell, J Baker(C Bangura 81). Subs n/u M Burgess, D Gray. Goals: Manuella(45), Ibe(57), Maskell(71). Booked: Ibe(43-unsporting behaviour), Risbridger 80(foul).

Sutton: J Ribolla, M Gray, M Hollands, R Palmer, D Beale, N Bailey, E Akuamoah, P Honey, M Fowler, M Watson, L Gonsalves. Subs n/u D Bolt, N Drew, C Howard. Goals: Watson(6), Bailey(90). Booked: Gonsalves(44-foul).

Referee: M Weaver Attendance:206