This was Ruislip’s first outing for four weeks and in truth it showed. Despite being in control from first whistle to last, there was a general lack of tempo and touch for much of the home side’s performance which meant that Aylesbury were in the game right up until the last quarter. Despite early territorial advantage, it took Ruislip 19 minutes to fashion a meaningful chance as Jack Neill’s header could only find the side netting from a tight angle. Three minutes later Remi Ogunbayo scooped a much easier chance over the bar when he should have at least hit the target. A minute later however, Ruislip did hit the front as Ryan Morgan’s undefendable free kick from wide on the left sailed in untouched. On 29 minutes, Aylesbury had their first, and as it turned out only chance, as slack marking from a corner allowed a free header but Harrison Deas was well placed to head off the line. So 1-0 at the break and despite a lacklustre showing, Ruislip knew that a second goal would almost certainly kill the tie. That second goal should have come 3 minutes after the restart but Ogunbayo missed his second gilt edged opportunity as his tame effort was easily saved. Despite the incisive promptings of Caleb Watts, Ruislip struggled to create clear cut openings until on 49 minutes, when Watts found Morgan in space on the right and his mishit effort somehow defeated the keeper’s dive and travelled almost apologetically over the line. Nevertheless Morgan deserved his luck as he’d put in a good shift on both flanks. Both sides now sensed the game was won and for the first time Ruislip played with freedom and expression. With 8 minutes left Mark Webb latched on to a loose ball in the box and found the bottom corner with his swinger for 3-0 before Eli Soque rounded off proceedings with a trademark goal 4 minutes from time after the keeper pushed out Watts’ drive. A useful workout for Ruislip after the festive break and players will benefit from getting these miles into their legs as they approach the business end of the season still going strong on three fronts. MoM with a nod to a good performance from Ben Higgins at the back, Caleb Watts was clearly the star man with a creative, energetic and selfless performance
