Chesham United vs Hemel Hempstead Town

Recap

A single goal on the stroke of half-time was enough to end Chesham’s run of seven matches without a win.  After a slow start Chesham took control of the game in the later stages of the first half, and ultimately were good value for their win against a Hemel side who offered little in attack. There was just one change to the starting eleven from the Boxing Day draw at Slough – Karl Oliyide was unwell so T’Sharne Gallimore returned to the side.  Ryan Upward came back on the bench after missing the last ten matches through injury, but new signing Gary Abisogun was also ill so Matt Lench returned to the club after eleven years away.

The game took place in steady rain and there was standing water in places but both sides were determined to try and get the game played.  Hemel took control of the game early on but Chesham’s defence looked comfortable and Dillon Addai had little to do.  Chesham began to come into the game as the half wore on and created the few noteworthy efforts on goal.  On 35 minutes Joe Grant crossed to Nathan Minhas who could only glance a header wide, but Chesham finally broke through with a well-worked goal.  Following a neat build-up on the right Avan Jones pulled the ball back from the by-line and Joe Grant swept it in at the near post.

Chesham continued to look the more likely to score in the opening stages of the second half, but the game still failed to come to life.  Just after the hour mark Alex Lafleur broke forward but shot straight at keeper Brad House, then Connor Roberts lifted a free kick into the Hemel box but Connor Stevens could only glance a header wide.  On 72 minutes the visitors had their first shot to ironic cheers from their fans, but Samuel Adenola’s long-range effort failed to trouble Dillon Addai.  In the next minute Chesham broke away and Alex Lafleur shot toward the far post but House dived to turn the ball away.  Late in the game Hemel began to show more urgency but Chesham’s defence held out and the visitors failed to muster another effort on goal, and in stoppage time George Williams was shown a yellow card for a dive in a desperate attempt to win a penalty.