Monday 19th December 2022

Berks and Bucks Senior Cup Second round

Beaconsfield Town 6 Aylesbury United 1 

Holloways Park  - Attendance 40

Ram of the Match – Max Bustamante

Max Bustamante announced himself to Beaconsfield Town fans on Tuesday night with an outstanding individual performance with 2 goals and an assist as Beaconsfield Town progressed to the quarter-finals of the Berks and Bucks Senior cup for the second year in a row.

In the end, the Rams ran out comfortable 6-1 victors over Aylesbury united but it wasn't all plain sailing as a combination of good goalkeeping and wasteful finishing in the first half allowed the visitors to keep things close until just after half time.   

 

It began well for the Rams when Toby Little opened the scoring after 5 minutes sliding in to apply the finishing touch to Callum Webb's low cross. Moments later Bustamente robbed Utd keeper Josh Ameganvi and fed Nathan Minhas. The striker found Little on the edge of the box but the skipper's shaped effort was blocked by a covering defender to spare the young keepers' blushes.

Beaconsfield pressed with great effect throughout the half and broke with pace on the counter but despite creating a slew of chances they were unable to convert another before the break. Sam Granville was unlucky to see a shaped effort from the edge of the box cannon back off the underside of the bar. Bustamante drove an effort just over after a surging run into the box whilst Ameganvi saved well from Kyel Reid, Nathan Minhas and in a one-on-one with Dan Bradshaw, who should probably have done better, when he was sent through on goal by Granville. 

At the other end, Nathan Constable in The Ram's goal was largely untroubled but as the half progressed, Beaconsfield went in pursuit of more goals and the game became more and more open. In their enthusiasm, they had a tendency to over-commit in the middle of the park. Creating space behind them for their opponents to run into. Leaving themselves vulnerable to the counter. Often compounding the threat by overplaying in the final third before meekly surrendering possession.

The Ducks began to prosper particularly down their right flank but were limited to decent low crosses which were largely well-defended. Experienced Beaconsfield watchers are all too familiar, though in fairness not so much of late, with The Rams dominating possession, territory, and chances without taking advantage before being punished. So it was here. 

Five minutes before half time a low cross along the six-yard box seemed harmless enough as Keano Robinson facing his own goal shielded the ball and waited for Constable to come and claim. Constable remained motionless on his line waiting for the centre half who was waiting for him. What my old dad used to call an, "After you Claude", moment. As the pair locked eyes, motionless, across six yards, David Aluko-Olukun nipped in to poke in the Duck's equaliser.

Half Time 1-1  

 

With Luke Neville working his way back from injury the plan was always to withdraw him at halftime and Gary Meakin introduced the steadying influence of Sam Togwell, who slotted into the back line and quickly brought all his experience to bear, controlling possession, prompting, and restraining the previously over-enthusiastic midfield ahead of him. 

The effect was almost immediate and the game was virtually over as a contest with 5 minutes of the restart. 

First Kyel Reid's teasing cross was headed down at the far post and fell to Bustamante who delivered an emphatic finish from eight yards. Virtually from the restart the ball again fell to Reid who fed Granville who slipped inside full Back Harry Jones who slid in to bring Granville down.

Reid stepped up and converted the spot kick. The game was transformed and Beaconsfield were suddenly showing the ruthless edge that was missing in the first half.   

The goals kept coming 

Bustamante turned provider for the fourth. Making half a yard of space down the right, he picked out substitute Elliott Buchanan eight yards out and he guided a downward header across Josh Ameganvi and into the corner.

Ameganvie was then a little unfortunate, diving full length to turn away Buchanan's curling effort through a crowd. Only to see the parry fall to the last Red shirt you'd want it to do. Nathan Minhas rammed in the rebound with his usual lack of fuss from 10 yards.  

Gary Meakin took the opportunity of the cushion to empty his bench allowing Kai Allsop an extended cameo which the youngster clearly relished, showing enough to suggest that time, careful handling and a clear run could pay dividends for his long term future. It also gave Aaron Minhas the opportunity to make his return after an absence stretching back to 22nd October, when he limped off against Tiverton.

Aylesbury too rang the changes and mounted a flurry of attacks in search of a consolation. 

The Rams held them at bay though and it was Beaconsfield who provided the full stop to the story of the evening's proceedings.

Sam Granville's made a surging run into the box, drawing defenders, creating space, before rolling a square ball into the path of Bustamante who finished with aplomb from 12 yards.

A good night at the office for The Rams who will have sterner tests ahead with holiday fixtures with Bracknell Town and Hanwell Town over the festive period but a nonetheless enjoyable way to ease into the festive weekend.

 

Happy Christmas !

 

Beaconsfield Town :

Ravan Constable, Callum Webb, Olly Sprague, Luke Neville [Sub Sam Togwell 46], Keano Robinson, Toby Little ©[Sub Elliott Buchanan], Dan Bradshaw, Sam Granville, Nathan Minhas [ Sub Kai Allsopp], Max Bustamante[ Aaron Minhas], Kyel Reid

Aylesbury United :

Josh Ameganvi, Harry Jones, Luis Fernandes, Jack Wood©, Jordan Jenkins, Alfie Atrill, Shaquille Ishmael, Ben Seaton, David Aluko-Olukun, Lee Stobbs

Subs: David Lynn, Nasha Mukwada, Sonny French, Jake Bewley, Dan Stokoe

 

All images ©2022 Neale Blackburn Photography 

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