As I write these notes I am enjoying a couple of relaxing days in my home land of Wales ahead of what looks to be a mouth-watering game for Chesham United in Merthyr Tydfil tomorrow (Saturday).

On Tuesday night we replayed our abandoned game from the opening day of the season at Hanwell Town. As you may recall, back on that day we were leading 3-0 when the match was abandoned due to a burst of heavy rainfall. Knowing how Mr. Sod and his law often work, I had a horrible feeling that this might have been the game where we ended our winning run and we would all go home grumbling about the injustice, but thankfully that was not the case. Ironically this time it was a dry and bouncy pitch that we had to contend with, but the team put in a professional performance to come away with a 3-0 win. There was something sweet about scoring three goals again.

That result means that we travel to Wales tomorrow having won six out of six games in the league so far. Very impressive, a feat only matched in our league by…Merthyr! You see now why tomorrow is going to be such a great game of football. It is very early in the season so nothing will be decided on the outcome of the season tomorrow, but it will be a fantastic test of just where we are in terms of competitiveness in this league and our quest for promotion. One, or both of us, will lose our 100% records by 5.00pm tomorrow.

It has been a fantastic start to the season, far better than I could have asked for, but it is important that we keep our feet on the ground and do not get too carried away. Although admittedly, that is difficult to do sometimes when you also take into account last Saturday’s phenomenal FA Cup performance to come away with a 3-1 win at Walton & Hersham. To give some context to that result, it was Walton & Hersham’s first defeat since Boxing Day 2022. Our reward for that victory is an away tie at Farnham Town in the Second Qualifying Round, believe it or not another club with a 100% record so far this season, albeit at two levels below us in the football pyramid. Certainly no room for complacency, your support again can play a key part and I am delighted to hear that the Supporters’ Trust are organising a coach to the game.

With limited parking at Farnham Town, the coach is a very good option, leaving The Meadow at 12.30pm on Saturday 16th September and returning straight after the game. The cost is £10 to Trust members and Under 18’s, £15 to non-members. You can book your place on the Trust website here.

On the subject of the Supporters’ Trust, you will hopefully have noted that membership forms for 2023/24 season membership are now available, please do look to join up with the organisation, it is really important that we have a good strong supporters organisation that can work with the club, but also represent a supporters perspective on key topics, particularly as we grow the One Club project with the Ladies and Youth section, having supporters on that journey is important to its success. You can sign up for membership here.

Unfortunately our league game against Didcot Town, due to be played at The Meadow on Tuesday night has had to be postponed as our opponents will now be playing their FA Cup match on that night following expulsion of opponents and various appeals that have ensued causing a delay to their cup fixture. This does mean that we are on quite a lengthy spell without a home game with our next one now being on Saturday 23rd September when Winchester City visit The Meadow, nearly a month after our last home game.

A reminder that we have confirmed the date for our annual fireworks extravaganza, this will take place on Friday 3rd November with family tickets available (2 adults, 2 children) available for £30, or adult tickets are £10, £6 for under 18’s with children under five free of charge. A planning meeting is scheduled to take place next week so watch this space, tickets are available now

Have a great weekend and thank you for your support.

Peter Brown, Chairman