Recap
Chesham produced a magnificent performance to win this battle of the two teams in the division with a 100% record. Chesham were always in control of the game after taking an early lead and had the game wrapped up before the hour mark. There was only one change to the starting eleven – Ricardo German replacing Jordan Edwards up front. Midfielder George Nicholas, signed on dual registration the day before, made his debut as a second-half substitute.
Chesham took control of the game from the start, and in the fifth minute a good move down the left saw Lesley Duru cross and Jordan Gibbons get in a shot that was parried by home keeper Jaimie Cogman. Shortly afterwards Tom Handley attempted to shepherd a through ball out of play, but Lesley Duru nipped in and set up Ricardo German whose shot was part-blocked and saved by Cogman. However two minutes later Chesham took the lead when Avan Jones crossed low from the right and Ricardo German flicked the ball just inside the far post. The home side began to threaten for the first time when Ricardo Rees had a shot deflected behind, then after the resulting corner was cleared Frazer Thomas crossed and Joe Woodiwiss slid in but could only knock the ball high and wide from close range. However two minutes later Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick won the ball in his own half, and ran on into the home penalty area where he was tripped by Jack Evans. It was a clear penalty and Ricardo German converted comfortably. The home side continued to try and play out from the back but were often pressed into mistakes, and on one occasion Ricardo German blocked a clearance and the ball came to Zak Joseph whose shot was blocked. Merthyr threatened once when Frazer Thomas cut in from the left and shot but Zaki Oualah pulled off a smart low save. As half-time approached Alex John hit a long-range effort that was well struck but flew just wide.
Early in the second half Alex John floated a free kick into the Chesham area but Tom Handley could only head back across goal and past the near post. The home side looked to be stepping up the pressure when Chesham scored a third just before the hour mark, Ricardo German heading in at the near post from Harry Rush’s left-wing corner. Merthyr looked a beaten side as Chesham sprayed the ball around with confidence. On 79 minutes Jordan Edwards broke away and set up the overlapping Avan Jones, who shot over as Cogman came out. Seven minutes from time Harry Rush was adjudged to have handled in the area and Ricardo Rees tucked away the resulting penalty. However this proved only to be a consolation, and Chesham could have had a fourth in stoppage time when Josh Allen set up Harry Rush who had only Cogman to beat but shot straight at the keeper.
Match Report
