Recap
Chesham stretched their lead at the top of the table to seven points with this hard-earned win over fourth-placed Merthyr. After a slow start in which they fell behind, Chesham improved and eventually did enough to win an occasionally tempestuous encounter. There was only one change to the starting eleven, with Zak Joseph recalled and Ricardo German dropping to the bench. After recovering from illness Ryan Upward replaced Avan Jones as a substitute. The game was played in persistent rain and with a strong wind that was in Merthyr’s favour in the opening half.
The visitors made the stronger start and Gethyn Hill had the first effort of note with a low shot that Zaki Oualah dived to his right to hold. Ten minutes later Merthyr took the lead when a right-wing move saw Noah Smerdon lay the ball off to Tom Handley who fired in from close range. Chesham had their first effort of note shortly afterwards, when a Callum Adebiyi throw came through to Alex Lafleur whose shot was just wide of the far post. Chesham were struggling to create any pressure but equalised just after the half-hour mark, when Ogo Obi glanced on a long clearance from Zaki Oualah and Zak Joseph ran on to score with a low drive that keeper Jamie Cogman got a foot to but could not keep out. Chesham ended the half on top and Bradley Clayton forced Cogman to save after Roddy Collins had won the ball, then in stoppage time a fine move ended with Ogo Obi setting up T’Sharne Gallimore who shot over the bar with only Cogman to beat.
Chesham took control of the game in the second half, particularly after Ricardo German came on and Ryan Upward slotted into midfield with Roddy Collins switching to right back. Shortly before the hour mark a neat move down the left ended with Alex Lafleur’s shot beating Cogman but hitting the outside of a post. As Chesham poured forward the game threatened to boil over with Merthyr picking up four yellow cards in eight minutes. However Chesham concentrated on playing their football and earned their reward when Ricardo German was tripped in the area as he challenged for a loose ball following a corner. Despite missing his last two spot-kicks German took responsibility and beat Cogman from the spot. Merthyr made three substitutions but to no avail as they created little of note. The referee booked James Duncan and Merthyr coach Craig Reddy to take the total number of yellow cards to eleven, but there was still time for Merthyr to come close to snatching a late equaliser. After a long ball forward Ricardo Rees broke clear and was just about to shoot when a great sliding tackle from Steve Brown ensured that Chesham took the three points.