Recap
After last week’s defeat Chesham got back to winning ways with a fine performance against Totton. It looked as if Totton would present a stiff challenge as they were unbeaten in eleven league games, but Chesham took control after scoring early and never let the visitors back into the game. Chesham made four changes to the starting eleven, including James Harding who made his debut in attack after joining the club from Salisbury in the week. Ryan Upward, Jack Connors and Jordan Edwards were recalled and Roddy Collins dropped back into defence, with Eoin Casey, T’Sharne Gallimore, Zak Joseph and Ricardo German all on the bench.
Chesham made a dream start with a goal in the third minute. Bradley Clayton found Alex Lafleur on the left, ran on to the return and crossed low from the by-line to Jordan Edwards who finished coolly after working a shooting chance. Chesham came close again shortly afterwards, when a Jordan Edwards free kick flew past the far post with Ryan Upward just unable to get a touch. Totton pushed forward but Chesham’s back line stood firm. Midway through the half Callum Adebiyi was forced to go off injured with Eoin Casey coming on and Roddy Collins switching to the left. Two minutes later James Harding broke clear only to be hauled back on the edge of the area by Sam Magri who escaped with a yellow card. Jordan Edwards took the resulting free kick which deflected off the wall and clipped the outside of the post. The visitors had plenty of the ball in the rest of the half but failed to muster a serious effort on goal. In stoppage time there was another cynical foul when Jordan Edwards looked to break clear from his own half but was pulled back by Charlie Kennedy who also earned a yellow card. As the interval approached Jordan Edwards hooked the ball over the bar after good work by Jack Connors and Lewis Rolfe on the right.
As in the first half the visitors were caught cold as Chesham added a second goal on 49 minutes. Following a throw-in on the right Bradley Clayton crossed from the by-line, and Lewis Rolfe forced the ball home after an earlier effort was blocked. On the hour mark Bradley Clayton’s through ball sent James Harding clear, but Totton keeper Josh Gould came out of his area and barged into Harding as he attempted to round him. Gould was booked but the free kick came to nothing. Chesham were now playing some fine football but without creating any further chances, while Totton had shown little in attack until Matty Burrows was introduced late on. Totton threatened when a Burrows corner ran loose in the Chesham area, but there was nobody to take advantage and Zaki Oualah grabbed the ball. Late in the game Ethan Taylor was shown the visitors’ seventh yellow card of the afternoon, including two for manager Jimmy Ball and his assistant. Deep into stoppage time Totton came close for the only time in the game, when Matty Burrows fired in a shot that clipped the top of the bar.