Chesham United Football Club

Chesham:

 

1.    Richard Hayward

 

2.    Michael Sharman

      (booked 63 mins)

3.    Andy Keepence

 

4.    Adam Parker

      (booked 29 mins)

5.    Kieran Allen-Curry

 

6.    Kevin Cotton

 

7.    Mark Lambert

 

8.    Dave Fotheringham

 

9.    Sammy Winston

 

10.    Eugene Ofori

        (goals 65, 89 mins)

11.    Dom Marsala

 

Subs:

 

12.    Phil Turner

 

14.    Steve Cawley

        (for Cotton 58 mins)

15.    John Lawford

 

16.    Matt Skinner

        (for Marsala 87 mins)

17.    James Beasant

 

 

Chesham began their difficult January programme with a win over a Sutton Coldfield side currently in the play-off zone.  Having been on the wrong end of some late goals in recent weeks, Chesham turned the tables with an 89th minute winner of their own in another thrilling encounter.

 

With Andy Keepence passing a late fitness test, Chesham made three changes from the team that won at Rothwell on Boxing Day.  Adam Parker returned from suspension and Dom Marsala from illness, and Kieran Allen-Curry came into the defence with Mark Lambert moving to the right of midfield.  Danny Talbot was suspended and Steve Cawley and John Lawford reverted to the bench.  Eugene Ofori signed for Heybridge Swifts and made his debut for them on Saturday, but played in this game as Chesham retained his Southern League registration and Heybridge did not have a fixture.  The visitors had more of the possession in the opening stages, and after 12 minutes Justin Rowe controlled a throw-in, turned and from an angle shot high and wide as Richard Hayward came out.  Ofori did have the ball in the net shortly afterwards but the linesman had already flagged for offside against Sammy Winston as he attempted to control Adam Parker's header.

 

As the half wore on Chesham began to come into the game more, with Dave Fotheringham hooking a shot straight at keeper Chris Gemmell from Mark Lambert's cross, then Fotheringham stole into the box to meet Dom Marsala's cross but was unable to control the ball.  Shortly before half-time Chesham had a two-on-one and Sammy Winston was careful to stay onside to meet Eugene Ofori's through ball but the linesman still put his flag up.  In the early stages of the second half there was action at both ends as Richard Hayward tipped away a shot on the turn by Rowe, then a neat Chesham move down the left saw Adam Parker cross and Neil Watkins was forced to clear hurriedly from close to his own line.

 

Shortly before the hour mark Chesham lost Kevin Cotton who fell awkwardly after a foul from behind by Leon Doughty.  Soon afterwards the visitors took the lead when Mykel Beckley won the ball and set off down the left, riding two challenges before crossing for Matthew Dodd to side-foot into the net from close range.  However the lead was to last only two minutes, as Mark Lambert floated a free kick into the area and Eugene Ofori scored with a glancing header into the corner of the net.  Sutton were playing some good football and a right-wing move ended with Richard Hayward making a smart save at the feet of Craig Thomas.  However Chesham were having the edge in terms of possession and Mark Lambert set up sub Steve Cawley for a shot that Gemmell fisted away, then a determined run by Dave Fotheringham ended with an angled shot that Gemmell turned behind.  Shortly before the end Chesham brought on Matt Skinner and the move paid off as Sammy Winston won a corner on the right, Skinner curled it in left-footed and Eugene Ofori stole in to score with a glancing header.  Sutton forced a succession of corners in stoppage time, and Hayward capped a fine performance with a reaction save from Edward Booth's header as Chesham held on for the win.