Chesham United 0-1 Leamington
Evostik Southern League Premier Division
FOOTBALL: BRAKES recorded a vital three points in a typically fractious encounter with Chesham at The Meadow which saw both sides finish the game a man light, reports Paul Edwards.
In a game of few clear cut chances, a maiden strike from Jordan Goddard since his return to the club in first half injury time secured a first win on this ground since March 2009, and a first home league defeat for the Generals since September.
Paul Holleran kept faith with the same starting 11 that had smashed five past Dorchester the previous Saturday, while the hosts came into the game in need of a positive result to boost their ambitions of a top five finish after three successive defeats.
An early booking for Brett Longden would prove to be his undoing later in a game that was littered with stoppages which frustrated both sides.
One of the more bizarre incidents being when Brakes’ physio Pete Denham was required to assist referee Samuel Lewis after he dislocated a finger after running into a player.
Ahmed Obeng’s pace got him in behind Mat Mitchel-King from a superb pass by Richard Taundry, however his ball into the box flashed across the goal mouth, just beyond the advancing Jack Edwards.
Just prior to the half-hour mark, James Mace received a straight red card after tussling with Drew Roberts on the edge of the penalty area. There were many inside the ground who believed the alleged offence took place inside the box, but the referee was quick to make his decision. Roberts crashed the resulting free kick against the bar.
Dealing with what looked an even tougher situation was something Brakes needed to do here, and they did it superbly.
Powell was the unfortunate player to make way for Joe Magunda as the defence was shored up, but with the half almost into its tenth minute of stoppage time Leamington stunned their hosts by taking the lead.
Courtney Baker-Richardson headed down a left wing cross from Jack Edwards for Goddard to crash a shot through a sea of bodies past Ashlee Jones to the delight of the noisy travelling support.
Leamington held firm as Chesham attempted a second half fight back, with Tony Breeden saving two free kicks, but they were very close to conceding a second goal.
Jack Edwards was adjudged to have pulled the ball back from behind the touchline before it was turned into the net by a home defender.
The host’s frustration was evident, as assistant manager Jon Meakes was sent to the stand before Longden received a second yellow for a poor challenge as Leamington counter attacked.
Most of the play was centred around the Leamington penalty area in the closing stages, but Chesham were unable to pose any real threat as the defence stood firm to record a third successive clean sheet.
Attendance: 427
Leamington: T.Breeden, R.Taundry, C.Gudger, D.Pond, J.Hood, J.Mace, C.Baker-Richardson (R.Gregory 84), J.Goddard, A.Obeng (C.Gittings 77), J.Edwards, C.Powell (J.Magunda 38)
Subs not used – R.Thompson-Brown, B.George
