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Sat 3rd Oct 2009
League
Chalfont St Peter 2-1 TAFC First team
TAFC goals: David Whicker |
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Saints went to the top of the table following this hard fought but probably deserved victory at their Mill Meadow ground. After good performance from the lads in the first half which saw us come back from a goal behind to equalise through a rocket of a shot from David Whicker we failed step up our game after the break and once we fell behind again we didn’t really look like coming back a second time.
The game itself was fiercely though generally fairly contested and with a capricious wind and a pitch that was crying out for some rain it was perhaps unsurprising that the game was in the main scrappy. Saints started the season badly, losing their first 3 games but have since won 8 of there next 9 South Midlands matches and are clearly going to be strong contenders for a title they narrowly missed out on last season probably because of their terrific run in the FA Vase where they were literally just seconds away from reaching the final. One of their early defeats came at The Grass Roots Stadium in August where we won 1-0 courtesy of a Neil Roberts goal. Couple this with the fact that we beat them 3-2 in the Challenge Trophy final last season and it can be seen that they would have had plenty of incentive to do well in this game.
The first attempt at goal came within 2 minutes from Andy Mullins whose hooked shot following a long throw was not that far away from hitting the target. But it was the home side that started the stronger and they took the lead after only 8 minutes although rather fortuitously. Chris Salmon, playing in central defence and with the captain’s arm band in the absences of Henry Thomas and Graham Hall, slipped as he intercepted a pass and the ball fell kindly to Lee Thompson who guided the ball past Sam Mazurek to put his side 1-0 ahead. Five minutes later there was danger when Charlie Strutton latched onto a pass into the inside right channel but his shot was well saved by Sam Mazurek.
It was an early blow at a ground where we had only won only once in 4 previous games and that was on our first visit back in 2006/07. But we stuck to our task and worked hard to deny our opponents any more chances and we equalised in the 16th minute with a cracking goal fro David Whicker. We were awarded a free kick just outside the area and Matt Myatt touched it to David who shot flew past the keeper as it arrowed into the corner of the net with tremendous velocity.
The play was even and the game very competitive with neither side giving the other much time and space on the ball. Our defence was superb and when there was any danger it was soon cut out usually by Steve Smith. But as the half wore on Saints stepped up their game to try and regain the initiative before interval but we kept them out and reached half time with the score still 1-1.
HT: CSP 1 TA 1
The players appeared for the second half as the conditions were becoming more blustery and it didn’t help with the flow of the game. Chances were thin on the ground at both ends and midway through the half Saints brought on the speedy Remmel Clarke for Charlie Strutton and we replaced Vinnie Iannone with Ashley Addison. We were finding it hard to string our game together as Saints upped the pace. We had a lucky escape in the 71st minute when a silly throw deep in
the opposition half presented Saints with a break and only a great save from Sam Mazurek stopped Terrell Lewis from scoring. But we must have still been day dreaming as a minute later we got caught out again and this time we were unable to prevent Alan Hedley from stabbing the ball into the net after Terrell Lewis broke through our defensive ranks. After defending so well for over 70
Minutes it was disappointing to give such a sloppy goal away.
Phil Casserley brought on Neil Roberts for Rob Duncan and boldly went 3 at the back to get back in the game. This left us open to Saints counter attacks who could have snatched another goal. Sam Mazurek saved well from Adam Bunce,John Carroll and Terrell Lewis and when he did lose the ball to Lee Thompson he was rescued by Chris Salmon who got back to clear the danger.
Later young Joe Kemp came on for Matt Myatt but in truth we were unable to open up the Saints defence and never tested Mark Oliver in the home goal. In the end we went down to a narrow 2-1 defeat.
FT: CSP 2 TA 1
After a good first half we failed to shine in the second and ultimately paid the price. The players worked hard but we lacked the little bit of quality needed to get a result. But we mustn’t be too hard on ourselves, CSP are a quality side and most teams are going to leave here empty handed.
Teams:
CSP: Mark Oliver, Lewis Cumber, Adam Louth, Ed Chemlal, John Carroll (Capt), Alan Hedley, Terrell Lewis, Lee Togwell, Charlie Strutton (Remmel Clarke 64) (Luke Brook-Smith 90+2), Lee Thompson, Ben Stack (Adam Bunce 76). Subs not used: Shaka Mughal, Ben Sturgess.
TA: Sam Mazurek, David Salmon, Rob Duncan (Neil Roberts 78), Matt Myatt (Joe Kemp 88), Steve Smith, Chris Salmon (Capt), Andy Mullins, David Whicker, Mark Burfoot, Vinnie Iannone, (Ashley Addison 70), Tony Fields. Subs not used: Dave Clark, Graham Hall.
Goals:
CSP: Lee Thompson (8), Alan Hedley (72)
TA: David Whicker (16)
Crowd: 91
CSP Website: http://www.chalfontstpeterafc.co.uk
REPORT FROM CSP WEBSITE
Written by Administrator
CHALFONT ST PETER 2 (1) TRING ATHLETIC (1) 1
Lee Thompson 7m Dave Whicker 17m
Alan Hedley 70m Attendance 91
Saints went top of the Spartan League Premier Division after defeating Tring Athletic at Mill Meadow on Saturday.
The Saints team with Jerome Okimo missing struggled in the first half against a tough Tring team. They stareted brightly enough with some sharp passing resulting in Lee Thompson scoring his first career goal for Chalfont in the 7th minute. A harsh free kick given against El Chemlal for a high foot, saw Tring equalize ten minutes later. This was Tring's only chance inthe first half. The second half was easier for Chalfont although both defences were giveing an inch for any creative play. A tactical switch, with Terrell Lewis being pushed up front, saw Chalfont create several good chances. Lewis's speed was telling and in the 70th minute he broke clear, drew clear and with everyone thinking he was going to shoot, passed the ball square where an unmarked Alan Hedley slid home the winner.
Saints go top of the shop as most of the other teams were involved in the F.A Vase. The league table is distorted with some teams having up to four games in hand on the Saints. But then Chalfont know all about that !!! |
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Dave Whicker scores with an unstoppable shot
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