CHESHUNT 0 GREAT WAKERING ROVERS 2
Ryman League Division 1 North
Saturday 29th November 2008
Harry England reports...........
Rovers came looking for their first away win of the season and went home to Essex with the points in the bag after putting in a winning performance on a cold and wet afternoon at Theobalds Lane.
Mervin Abraham skippered the side in the absence of the suspended Glen Parry and Michael Pelley made his league debut at right back due to Gary Schillaci’s unavailability (with Nick Thorogood fit enough only for the bench).
The visitors started brightly with Cheshunt looking lethargic in the opening stages and the home defence was under pressure from the off. Michael Filletti made a crucial early clearance before Jimmy Webb seized on an error from Pelley to fizz a shot at the Cheshunt goal that the impressive Chris Goodchild tipped over the bar. It wasn’t long though before Goodchild was picking the ball out of the net after Webb rolled the ball into the far corner having been set up by a terrific run and pass from Grant Khory-Davinson, the Rovers left back.
Cheshunt were struggling to get into the game despite having plenty of possession and chances were few and far between for both sides. Lee Roberts eventually forced Richard McKinney into a save on the half hour but the teams went into the break with Rovers in front.
The game got a bit niggly in the second half with Harrison, Toner and Akers picking up bookings as the frustration grew for the home side. Rovers continued to look dangerous going forward and as Cheshunt pushed forward more and more the away side could sense a second on the break was a possiblility. Neil Richmond was getting closer to giving Rovers the cushion of a
two goal lead as he drove a strong left footed effort wide before bringing a classy save out of Goodchild, the keeper parrying before Filletti cleared from the goal line.
Despite seeing plenty of the ball Cheshunt were not creating chances but were perhaps a little unlucky not to get a penalty when Kai Ramshaw went down under Khory-Davinson’s challenge on the hour but the Referee was having none of it. Rovers continued to look more likely to get the all important next goal and with ten minutes left on the clock Richmond capped a fine performance with the goal that killed the game off, capitalising on some poor defending to walk the ball in.
There was still time for Goodchild to make further saves from Webb and Billy Johnson and Ricky Dobson found his way into referee Linden’s book before Clark Akers stung McKinney’s fingers with a ferocious drive from long range but nothing was going for Cheshunt and Rovers saw the game out.
Cheshunt: Goodchild, Pelley, Toner, Filletti, Dobson, Harrison (Ramshaw 45), Taylor-Forbes (Taylor 64), Prestedge, Akers, Roberts (Lewis 54), Abraham (cpt).
Not used: Harris, Thorogood.
Great Wakering Rovers: McKinney, O’Connor, Khory-Davinson (Pitts 78), Beale (cpt), Rieck, Cartlidge, Benjamin, Trenkel, Ansell (Johnson 83), Richmond, Webb.
Not used: Green, Cole, Judd.
Attendance: 141