CHESHUNT 2 AVELEY 3
Ryman League Division 1 North
Saturday 20th December 2008
jJim Tuite reports........
The 153 spectators who opted for Theobalds Lane instead of Christmas shopping were treated to an excellent game but no points for the Ambers. Gordon Boateng's side saw new signings Daniel O'Connor pull on the number nine jersey and Adrian Pettigrew start alongside Captain Glen Parry in the centre of defence. In the warm up before kick off, Goalkeeper Chris Goodchild aggravated a groin injury and had to be replaced by Ashley Harris, making it three débuts in the home line up.
Within moments of the game starting, Clark Akers was signalling to the bench things weren't right and on came Ashley Taylor Forbes in his place. The Essex side caused problems for the new-look Cheshunt defence from the off, slipping through balls into the paths of their forwards. It was such a move that saw full back Michael Pelley bring down Aveley's lively winger, Joao Carlos, for a penalty. Wayne Vaughan's resulting kick high into the top corner gave Harris no chance.
Within five minutes however the scores were back level. A foul on Yohance Lewis, midway inside Aveley's half, allowed Kai Ramshaw to send a free kick deep into the visitors box. A headed clearance fell to Reece Prestedge who hit a spectacular 25 yard volley into the net. His Cantona-esque celebrations were fully justified as it was by far the best goal seen at Theobalds Lane this season.
For the next ten minutes the ball flew from one end of the pitch to the other, with great attacking moves foiled by equally good defending. A clear shot on goal for Vaughan was denied by a tremendous tackle by Parry whilst at the other end O'Connor, who was looking very quick and alert in the forward line, was one-on-one with Aveley 'keeper James Marrable when Millers skipper somehow got back to put the ball out for a corner. Then Harris suffered the kind of fumble all new 'keepers dread when a speculative long range drive from Petrit Elbi slipped through his hands to put the Millers back in front.
Cheshunt began the second half in a determined mood and their efforts were soon rewarded when a cross from Michael Toner to the far post was met by a powerful header from O'Connor to open his account for his new club. With the game now in the balance, two fantastic saves were witnessed at either end: Lewis hit a shot which, taking a deflection, looked certain to go in before Marrable clawed back off the goal line and then saved again when Taylor Forbes pounced on the loose ball. A few minutes later Harris made amends for his earlier error when he stretched to tip a Ryan Doyle header over the bar.
Joao Carlos, an ever-dangerous presence on the left wing, stuck a Junior Dadson cross straight into the arms of Harris then, moments later with only Harris to beat, he rolled the ball past him only to see it hit the post and go out for a goal kick. Still unchecked, Carlos then went on a fine run down the wing, hammering in a low cross for Millers substitute Joe Sweeney to drive home from close range. Any hopes of a third equaliser were scuppered in the 82nd minutes when Referee Paul Forrester showed Ashley Taylor Forbes a red card following a bad challenge on Sam Holloway.
The win put Aveley back on top of the table and left Ambers fans wondering how a game which their side had put so much into could leave them with nothing to show for it.
CHESHUNT – Harris, Pelley, Toner, Parry, Pettigrew, Ramshaw, Akers (Taylor-Forbes 7), Prestedge, O'Connor, Lewis (Harrison 84), Abraham.
Not used – Oakley, Roberts.