IMPRESSIVE STINT PUT IN BY PLAYERS THIS WEEK

With the new season less than two weeks away Ian Richardson and his assistants will be quietly satisfied that they are making good progress towards our first competitive games that start in early August.

We have done well to retain nearly all of last season's players and importantly have added some new faces who have impressed in the three friendlies we have had so far and should strengthen our squad. Followed victories in our opening two friendlies we chalked up another one on Saturday in beating Chalfont Wasps 4-1 at home.

There was little to choose between the two sides for most of the match but again we grew stronger in the second half and scored three goals in the last quarter to make the score line a little bit unfair on Chalfont who played well.

It was fairly even in the first half with Dan To having our best two chances but failing to hit the target. Towards half time Chris Blunden hit the post and our keeper James Catlin had to make a couple of saves but neither keeper was overly stretched in the first 45 minutes and it was no surprise that the half ended score less.

Ten minutes into the second half we opened the scoring with a cracking goal. Tommy Twelves played a lovely pass down the left to set free Chris Blunden. He cleverly held the ball up before whipping it into the area to pick out Tommy who had continued his run and struck the ball first time past the keeper. The lead lasted 4 minutes when Chalfont were awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge which they converted to deservedly level the scores.

We responded well with two fine individual goals from Max Hercules and Chris Blunden with Qwam Thomas adding a fourth with a well taken effort after being released by a fine pass from the impressive newcomer Josh Hart to make the final score 4-1.

Chalfont who compete in Hellenic Division 1 played some lovely football and had some quality players in their ranks and they should do well this season, and we wish them all the best for campaign ahead.

We can take some cautious heart from another good performance and result especially as we were missing a number of key players which is inevitable at this time of the year. We had 10 new players on display and the ones that caught the eye were Chris Blunden, Qwam Thomas and Josh Hart although it is fair to say that all the newcomers did well.

We have two more friendlies before the season begins in earnest on Tuesday 1 August when we entertain local rivals Leverstock Green in the Herts Charity Shield. On Wednesday night we travel to Chesham United's ground where we will have a tough test against Aylesbury United who play at a level above us. Our fifth and final friendly will take place at home on Saturday when we entertain Redhill who play in the Combined Counties League Premier Division.

Squad: James Caitlin, Zac Crawford, Jack Seaton, Dave O'Connor, Luke Dunstan, Dan Steadman, Tommy Twelves, Ryan Reeves, Chris Blunden, Max Hercules, Dan To, Qwam Thomas, Seb Smith, Josh Hart, Adam Smith, Louis Smith, George Carbery.

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