Match Reports & Fixtures
| 1 | Richard Hayward | |
| 2 | Michael Sharman | |
| 3 | Sam Ledger | |
| 4 | Matt Skinner | |
| 5 | Kieran Allen-Curry | |
| 6 | Kevin Cotton | |
| 7 | Mark Lambert | |
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8 | Danny Talbot (Goal 30 mins) |
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9 | Danny Burnell (Goals 3, 78 mins - Sent off 89 mins) |
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10 | Adam Parker (Booked 82 mins) |
| 11 | Dom Marsala | |
| 12 | Phil Turner | |
| 14 | Steve Cawley | |
| 15 | Tommy Higgins | |
| 16 | John Lawford (for Talbot 85 mins) | |
| 17 | James Beasant |
Chesham moved up to sixth place in the table but are five points off the play-off zone after Willenhall scrambled a 94th minute equaliser, in a game marred by the late dismissal of Danny Burnell and Willenhall's Sean Platt.
There were two changes to the starting line-up, Richard Hayward returning in goal and Danny Burnell back after suspension. Willenhall, who were surprisingly allowed by the referee to play in all red, were a mess in defence in the opening minutes and Chesham went close when Danny Talbot's free kick was not dealt with and Sam Ledger's shot was blocked by keeper Daniel Woodhall. However Chesham went ahead in the third minute when Mark Lambert met a left-wing cross only to head against the bar, but the ball bounced down and Danny Burnell nodded it over the line.
After nine minutes Dom Marsala's left-wing free kick found its way through to Kieran Allen-Curry at he far post who side-footed into the side netting, but Chesham had a warning in the next minute when a fine solo run by Willenhall's Justin Nisbett resulted in a shot that cannoned away off the legs of Richard Hayward. The visitors sorted out their defence and the game went into a quiet spell. After 25 minutes Nisbett took advantage of hesitation between Hayward and Allen-Curry but Hayward was able to block the resulting shot, but at the other end a fine ball by Michael Sharman set up Mark Lambert for a cross that came to Dom Marsala at the far post, and Marsala's shot was tipped over by Woodhall although the referee amazed everyone by awarding a goal kick. However two minutes later Danny Talbot scored Chesham's second with a 25-yard free kick, beating Woodhall with power as much as placement by his near post.
The game was remarkably similar to Saturday's at Bishops Cleeve - Chesham were looking comfortable at half-time, Talbot scored with a free kick after 30 minutes, and the similarity continued in the second half as the opposition fought back. Nisbett had already had a goal disallowed for offside by the time Scott Stevenson's left-wing cross was headed in by Tyrone Barnett after 54 minutes. By now Willenhall were looking the more dangerous and it was no surprise when they equalised ten minutes later, Marlon Walters meeting a left-wing cross and turning the ball back across goal for Barnett to score from close range.
However after that the visitors rarely threatened as Chesham fought their way back. Danny Burnell got a touch to Mark Lambert's low cross but Woodhall deflected the ball onto the near post, then a long free kick from Sam Ledger was headed out to Kevin Cotton who hit the post with a shot from just outside the area. However Chesham moved back into the lead with 12 minutes to go when Matt Skinner chipped the ball into the area behind the defence and Danny Burnell ran on to lob over Woodhall and into the net. The game seemed to be petering out but shortly before the end of normal time came the main talking point of the game. Sean Platt was lying on the ground with the ball between his legs as Danny Burnell challenged, the referee blew for a drop ball but the Willenhall players took exception to Burnell's challenge which provoked a mass flare-up.
Platt swung an arm in the melee so can have no complaints at his dismissal, Mickey Eagles also threw a punch but somehow escaped with a yellow card, while Burnell was also shown a red card although his only offence seemed to be challenging for the ball. However the referee had earlier shown a keenness to book Adam Parker for a challenge that was late but not malicious, so it seems that both Parker and Burnell are marked men. The incident seemed to affect the Chesham players more, and in stoppage time a rare Willenhall attack resulted in Eagles rounding Hayward and crossing, resulting in a goalmouth scramble in which Craig Milligan forced the ball over the line. There was still time for sub John Lawford to play the ball back into the path of Matt Skinner who fired across goal, but at the final whistle the game felt more like a defeat than a draw.
Simon Newbury
