Recap
Chesham extended their lead at the top of the table to fifteen points with a narrow win over mid-table Hendon. This was a forgettable game in difficult conditions, and Chesham owed their win to a defensive error that gifted them a penalty on the hour. Roddy Collins was fit again so returned as one of the three central defenders with Lewis Rolfe reverting to right back in place of Avan Jones. The other two changes to the starting eleven saw Zak Joseph and Bradley Clayton come in for Jordan Edwards and the injured Ogo Obi. Lucas Sinclair came on as a late substitute after rejoining the club following a loan spell.
Chesham had the better of the early stages and won a couple of free kicks near the home goal, and from the second Zak Joseph’s shot was just over the bar. On 18 minutes Chesham had the best chance of the half, when a breakaway led to Ricardo German setting up Ryan Upward who prodded the ball past the advancing keeper but just wide of the post. Two minutes later Ethan Light left a through ball but Bradley Clayton nipped in, only for Light to get back and block the resulting shot. Hendon’s best effort came just after the half-hour, when a long-range effort from Romeo Akinola forced Zaki Oualah into a diving save low to his right. Kyran Wiltshire also had a shot from distance that flew just wide, but Chesham came back with Bradley Clayton having a shot blocked and Zak Joseph’s follow-up was saved by home keeper Dylan Berry.
Early in the second half Hendon’s Richard Pingling seized on a mishit clearance but his shot was blocked, but Chesham eventually broke through on the hour. Bradley Clayton’s shot was tipped over by Berry, the resulting corner was cleared but Clayton won the ball and advanced into the area only to be barged over by Simeon Olarerin. It was an obvious if slightly unnecessary penalty, and Ricardo German converted to reach the 30-goal mark for the season. Six minutes later a Bradley Clayton corner flew beyond the far post where Lewis Rolfe hit it first-time but the ball came back off the post. Hendon then went back on the attack and Finlay MacNab had a shot blocked for a corner, then Chesham broke away and Ricardo German seemed about to break clear only to be hauled back by Hamza Semakula who was booked. Bradley Clayton took the resulting free kick which Berry tipped round the post. The game fizzled out tamely with only one more moment of note. On 84 minutes Hendon’s Richard Pingling crossed from the by-line on the left and Finlay MacNab headed in at the far post, but the goal was disallowed for a push on T’Sharne Gallimore.
Match Report
