Chesham United Football Club

Chesham:

 

1.    Richard Hayward

 

2.    Michael Sharman

 

3.    Kieran Allen-Curry

 

4.    Danny Brown

 

5.    Mark Lambert

 

6.    Danny Talbot

 

7.    Kevin Cotton

 

8.    Adam Parker

      (goal 49 mins)

9.    Sammy Winston

       (goal 17 mins)

10.    Danny Burnell

 

11.    Dom Marsala

 

Subs:

 

12.    Jordan Bostock

 

14.    Sam Ledger

 

15.    John Lawford

        (for Parker 67 mins)

16.    Phil Turner

        (for Winston 84 mins)

17.    Matt Skinner

        (for Marsala 79 mins)

 

 

Chesham edged past Marlow into the semi-finals of the Berks & Bucks Cup.  Chesham finished up holding on at the end after allowing the visitors back into the game with a soft goal on the stroke of half-time.

 

Chesham made four changes to the team, all in the interests of squad rotation as Jordan Bostock, Sam Ledger, Andy Keepence and Dave Fotheringham were rested and replaced by Michael Sharman, Kieran Allen-Curry, Dom Marsala and fit-again Kevin Cotton.  Adam Parker was captain with Danny Talbot taking over when Parker was substituted in the second half.  The opening minutes were fairly even and Marlow, lying sixth in the Southern League South and West Division, had the first chance when Matt Czastka set Aaron Couch free on the left and Couch's shot beat Richard Hayward but Danny Brown got back to block.  However in the next minute Marlow keeper Ian McTaggart saved at the feet of Sammy Winston, and the ball was cleared to Danny Brown who sent Mark Lambert away down the right  Lambert shot across goal and McTaggart pushed the ball away only to leave Winston with a tap-in for the opening goal.

 

Both sides were moving the ball about well but, as so often in this competition, the game lacked the extra intensity of a league game.  Marlow's moves were tending to break down once they got near the home box and Chesham looked the more likely to score.  On the half-hour a fine ball by Lambert sent Danny Burnell clear but McTaggart did not commit himself and eventually saved Burnell's effort.  Marlow had not looked like scoring but Chesham allowed them a soft equaliser on the stroke of half-time when a long kick by McTaggart seemed to pose no threat, but the defence left it to run through to Hayward only for Couch to steal in and roll the ball into the corner of the net.

 

Chesham needed to increase the pace in the second half and it took only four minutes to restore their lead.  Following a throw-in on the right Mark Lambert worked some space to get in a cross that Adam Parker rose to head in at the far post.  Marlow came back and Hayward was forced to make a reaction save from Czastka after a corner had rebounded to him off Danny Brown, then in the next minute Czastka broke clear but Hayward made a fine save at the striker's feet.  Chesham were content to sit on their lead and Hayward was again called into action, saving at the feet of sub James Flint.  The game seemed to be meandering to a tame conclusion but three minutes from time Couch missed a sitter, controlling a right-wing cross only to stroke the ball wide from close range with only Hayward to beat.  The game ended with Chesham on the attack and Matt Skinner broke into the area to set up fellow sub Phil Turner for a snap shot that produced a fine low save from McTaggart.