We have had a lot of home games recently which has given the pitch a bit of a battering and with the rain forecast to come overnight we have arranged for a pitch inspection tomorrow morning before 10am to check that the game can go ahead before our opposition set off on their travels from Salisbury. Please keep an eye on social media tomorrow morning for updates on this. We have also been dealing with an issue in the far corner of the ground where tree roots have forced the drains to collapse which is causing an issue. We have tackled the issue by chopping back the trees, at great expense, which has also allowed more light and wind onto that corner of the pitch helping it to dry and thaw more in adverse conditions, but we do have drainage repair work to do over the close season.
In other football admin, please note that the games against Dorking Wanderers on 21st December and Hemel Hempstead Town are currently going to be all-ticket matches as they have the potential to sell-out for the capacity that will be in place based around health, safety and stewarding. Please do purchase your tickets in advance for these two matches to guarantee your place on the terraces. This is probably a good place to mention that there will be a few more names not on the terraces for these games, following the police investigation into incidents at the Lincoln City FA Cup match, more letters are going out next week to offenders that are not currently welcome at matches.
On the pitch, as we enter the festive season of giving cards, I was hoping to be receiving more of the Merry Christmas variety through the post than red and yellow ones dished out on the pitch. For the second Tuesday night on the trot we found ourselves down to ten men for a long period of the match, and we just cannot afford to take that level of poor discipline out on to the pitch. Against Hampton & Richmond we showed fantastic character and won the match, but in this unforgiving league you cannot keep doing that, as we found out on Tuesday night when we lost 3-1 at home to Hornchurch. The players left on the field again put in a spirited effort, arguably looked the better team despite being a man down, but it was too much to ask, and supporters were left going home disappointed, and frustrated, again.
Tomorrow, subject to a successful pitch inspection, we have a break from the frantic league action with an FA Trophy clash against Salisbury, who we know very well from having already played them away in the league this season, and they were of course promoted with us from the Southern League last season. In the league game we picked up three points with a 2-1 home win, a score I would be very happy with if we could repeat that.
For both sides, we must look at this as a realistic opportunity to progress in this competition and the idea of making it through to the final at Wembley is not so ridiculous. You only have to look at Hornchurch who we played on Tuesday night, they won the FA Trophy, underneath the Wembley Arch, as recently as 2021 when they beat Hereford 3-1. Dare to dream! We will certainly be looking to have a run in this competition, alongside competing in the league.
Meanwhile, Chesham’s women’s team were on the road last weekend playing London Bees. Despite a strong first 40 minutes (0-0 at that point) we came away on the end of a defeat and the team are now looking at two important games over the next couple of weeks. We play both teams below us in the table over the next two weeks (London Seaward away and Ashford Town at home) and two wins would elevate us well away from the drop. I’m sure they would appreciate your support at the second of those games, at home on Sunday 15th December – 2pm kick-off.
I do enjoy this time of year with plenty of football and as we enter the period of Advent, which gives us plenty of time forl. Our club chaplain, Canon Edward Bowes-Smith, has written an excellent piece in the programme for tomorrow’s game in which he reminds us how “in medieval times it was a time for fasting and reflection, just like Lent, which made the Christmas Day feast even more special when it finally arrived. It’s a time when we think of others less fortunate than ourselves and what their Christmas Day will be like.”
Which is exactly why I am so delighted of the support we have had for our request for donations for the local foodbanks to provide meals on Christmas Day for the more needy in our local area. We have built a fantastic platform here at Chesham United, the awareness of the club locally is as high as it has been for many years, and we should use that to do good for others. We have two more home games, tomorrow (Saturday) and on Tuesday in which I urge you to contribute towards this cause that I am very passionate about. Donations can be made in the clubhouse, either financial contributions so that the foodbank can buy what they need, or items for a Christmas hamper are most welcome – tinned ham, tinned salmon, chocolate biscuits, Christmas cake, Christmas sweets, instant coffee, chutney/pickles, cooking oil, UHT milk and generally any sustainable tinned food is welcome.
Thank you for your support, I look forward to seeing you back at The Meadow tomorrow.
Peter Brown
