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Tue 21st Jul 2009
Friendly
TAFC First team 1-3 Chesham United
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The players got another useful friendly under their belts against Southern League outfit Chesham United. It was a tough encounter against a side that got to the play offs in the Southern League Midland Division 1 last season, just missing out after going down to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Nuneaton Town. This game again showed that the main difference with sides from a higher league is that they take their chances. We did manage to get a goal through Vinnie Iannone’s excellent finish but the return could have been greater after hitting the bar twice and creating a number of good scoring opportunities.
The game was played at a 100 mph pace with players being denied and space on the ball. There wasn’t a lot of goal mouth action but its fair to say that the best chances in the first half hour came our way. An Andy Mullins free kick found Vinnie Iannone unmarked in the area and his expression suggested he was disappointed that his header did not at least hit the target. Andy Mullins was involved again later pulling the ball back nicely to Mark Burfoot who missed an opportunity to have a shot on goal. Then Burf latched onto a great lay off by Vinnie Iannone to hit a great drive which Chesham keeper Michael Underwood managed to push onto the bar. It was Burf again who was found at the far post by a terrific free kick by Graham Hall, a goal looked on the cards but somehow the Chesham defence kept it out.
After those narrow escapes Chesham built up a head of steam in the period leading up to half time. They looked dangerous from set plays and their left back struck a free kick just over and then their tall centre forward Chris Bangura headed a corner just wide. In the 38th minute they went in front with an opportunist goal. Their leading scorer Danny Burnell struck a left foot shot from all of 30 yards which skidded off the slippery surface and appeared to under Dave Clark.
With their tails up Chesham looked to add to their lead with Ben Porter shooting just over and Chris Bangura going close with a spectacular over head kick. Tony Fields skinned the right back and sent in a tantalising cross which Mark Burfoot headed against the bar. Earlier Burf turned nicely and struck a shot over and with time almost up Vinnie Iannone picked out Matt Myatt’s run into the area but the midfielder was unable to control the ball and a good opportunity went begging. At the break it was 1-0 to our visitors which was undoubtedly a bit harsh on us.
HT: TA 0 CU 1
After the interval Chesham made wholesale changes to their line up and we brought on Neil Roberts for Matt Myatt and Chris Salmon on for his brother Dave. The changes did not seem to upset Chesham’s rhythm as they started to find more space and knock the ball around. Tom Vincent was forced to make a good save but we gave the ball away and sub Leon Archer cleverly score to make the score 2-0 on the hour. Young Sam Logan came on for Tony Fields and in the 73rd minute Chesham extended their lead with what can only be described as a dubious penalty after Leon Archer and Rob Duncan both bustled for the ball in the area. Later 2 Chesham supporters who were in line said that Archer was well off side but as it was only a friendly it didn’t matter that much. Danny Burnell scored to make it 3-0.
Further substitutions were made with Dave Foskett and Jack Seaton replacing Rob Duncan and Shane Wood to give every player a run out. Despite the score line the players didn’t give up and Neil Roberts rifled a shot narrowly wide after latching onto a good pass. In the 79th minute we finally got the goal we deserved, Graham Hall sent Vinnie Iannone away down the inside right channel and he outpaced the defender before slipping the ball past the keeper from a tight difficult angle. It was a super finish and made the score line a more respectable 3-1.
It was our turn to put a bit of pressure on the visitors defence with half chances falling to Andy Mullins, Vinnie Iannone and young Jack Seaton. With time almost up Andy Mullins appeared to be fouled in the area for what looked like more of a penalty that the one warded and then the keeper just managed to flick Mark Burfoot’s superb cross off Vinnie Iannone’s head. But there were no more goals and the game finished in a 3-1 win to the visitors.
FT: TA 1 CU 3
This was a good run out against a very good side. We certainly created more and better chances than our guests, who demonstrated yet again that when you play more senior teams you have to take your opportunities. With the new season just 2 weeks away the preparations are going nicely.
Team:
TA: Dave Clark (Tom Vincent HT), David Salmon (Chris Salmon 59), Rob Duncan (Dave Foskett 75), Shane Wood (Jack Seaton 75), Steve Smith, Matt Myatt (Neil Roberts 52), Andy Mullins, Graham Hall (Capt), Mark Burfoot, Vinnie Iannone, Tony Fields (sam Logan 67).
Goals:
TA: Vinnie Iannone (79)
CU: Danny Burnell (38, 73 Pen), Leon Archer (60)
Attendance: 114
CU Website: www.cheshamunited.co.uk |
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(No photos on file)
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