Chesham United

Superb

Saturday, January 17, 2009

CHESHAM UNITED 0 CHASETOWN 2, BGB SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION 1 MIDLANDS, SATURDAY 17^TH JANUARY

TWO early strikes were enough to seal three points for Chasetown in their 2-0 success at Chesham United on Saturday, writes Dave Goddard.

The Scholars got off to the best possible start when Danny Smith ran onto a deflection and cut through the home defence to slot the ball into the bottom corner after only two minutes.

Their lead could have doubled moments later when Ben Steane produced a similar move from the left but he fluffed his final effort and the ball went wide.

Steane made amends on 15 minutes when he topped off a long run through the centre by rounding keeper Michael Underwood and firing right-footed into the open net.

Chesham’s first chance came in the 24^th minute when Darrell Cox beat Chris Slater to a long ball but sent his shot high and wide, while Max Howell blasted a right-footed shot onto the crossbar but the flag was up for offside.

Dom Marsala then capitalised on a mistake by Steane but fired his long range shot wide before the focus switched back to the Scholars, John Branch’s cross on the half hour cleared as far as Lee Parsons whose low shot was saved by Underwood, and the play then fell back into the midfield until the break.

Half time: Chesham 0 Chasetown 2.

Slater blocked an Adam Parker shot as the second half got under way, and it was the Generals who enjoyed the majority of the possession.  On 58 minutes Marsala just failed to get his head to a Sam Ledger cross, but the flag was up.

Underwood beat Danny Smith to a loose ball on 66 minutes, and the Scholars defence did well to fend off an attack from Marsala seconds later.

Smith then outpaced Nick Leach down the right but chose to square the ball to Luke Reynolds instead of shooting, but Reynolds missed the opportunity for his first Chasetown goal and the ball went out for a goal kick.

Smith’s high shot from the left on 76 minutes cannoned off the far post, while substitute Leon Archer looked set to score for the Generals two minutes later, but Richard Teesdale covered the gap at the far post and cleared off the line.

Chesham top scorer Danny Burnell shot wide before a succession of challenges and stoppages followed with neither side able to create clear chances, although Scholars keeper Ryan Price almost spilled the ball at Cox’s feet in the closing minutes.

Chasetown are next in action on Tuesday as they take on Midland rivals Atherstone Town at the Scholars Ground (7.45pm kick-off).

Chesham: Underwood, Leach, Ledger, Keepence (C), Hicks, Talbot, Howell, Parker, Burnell, Cox, Marsala.  Subs: Cooper (Talbot 68), Cawley (Marsala 71), Archer (Parker 63), Kyriacou, Beasant.

Chasetown: Price, J Branch (C), M Branch, Slater, Teesdale, Williams, Steane, Parsons, Reynolds, Smith, Batchelor.  Subs: Harris, Onokah, Miller, Ricketts, Thomas.

Goals: Smith 2, Steane 15 

Referee: Mr A Fielding. 

Bookings: Chesham        Howell 13, Keepence 70   Cooper 76.

                Chasetown     Reynolds 60. J Branch 72, 

Attendance: 272.

PICTURE   Luke  Reynolds  impressive full  match debut

 Match Action  http://www.chasetownfc.co.uk/scripts/photogallery.asp?collection=207