CHESHUNT 2 HARLOW TOWN 1
Ryman League Division 1 North
Saturday 6th February 2010
The first game at Theobalds Lane since the snow saw local rivals and fellow strugglers Harlow visit for a must win game. The opening ten minutes saw both sides testing the defensive qualities of each other, as early as the second minute Dave Hicks had a shot from 30yards fly just over the Harlow crossbar, whilst former Cheshunt squad player Juilian Edwards was a lively starter in the thick of the action when Harlow pressed forward. The returning Angus McLachlan was an influence on the left and it was his header that put Chris Meikle through on goal, Horton in the Harlow goal quick to spot the danger and early of his line smothering the opportunity. A rare error from Luke Dodd in the Cheshunt goal had fans hearts pumping when he only got fingertips to a Harlow cross, fortunately for Dodd , Glen Parry & Nick Mountford were on hand to tidy up. Dodd soon made amends minutes later opting to punch the ball clear from a Harlow corner, Jordan Lumsden making his debut for Cheshunt in the central midfield area, turned defence into attack picking up the loose ball & feeding Angus McLachlan who after neat footwork managed to squeeze Meikle in for a run on goal, this time Clemo covering across thwarted Cheshunt’s top scorer. Bradley Harrison on from the start should have hit the target with a free header from a Darren Williams cross, however he atoned for the miss with a sharply taken half volley placed into the left corner, the Harlow keeper Horton remaining a spectator as the ball flashed past him. The opening goal to Cheshunt bought the Harlow players to life and a series of attacks led to two goalmouth scrambles which Cheshunt cleared, but not convincingly. Niggly fouls in the central area of the pitch were available as both sides showed the extra commitment that a derby match demands. A foul on the Cheshunt left, committed by Glen Parry being over enthusiastic to tackle when a shielding job would have sufficed to force Harlow back, led to the Harlow equaliser in the thirty second minute when Aaron Scott stabbed home a loose ball from close range. Mclachlan Lumsden & Hicks for Cheshunt continued to link well and had the better of the first half, while Thomson playing wide on the right, battled well to restrict Harlow attacks & provide a useful outlet to mount Cheshunt attacks. Meikle continued to trouble the Harlow defence with his pace and had the opportunity to restore the lead but having done the hard work to create a one on one situation, shot tamely at the keeper’s legs. The Cheshunt faithful sighed, another match of missed opportunities? Meikle atoned for the weak attempt when on forty three minutes Dave Hicks put a trademark pass through the inside left channel, Meikle beat his man, put Horton on his backside and calmly fired home from a tight angle to take Cheshunt to the break with their lead restored.
Harlow made changes for the second half with Pike & Simpson taking to the pitch, and as expected took the game to Cheshunt looking for an early equaliser, Julio Barnes going closest with a header from the third corner forced in a five minute spell. Luke Dodd in the Cheshunt goal was equal to the challenge and tipped the ball over the bar at full stretch. The Cheshunt midfield bought the game back under control with only Eyong Tambeson offering any response for Harlow. Angus McLachlan had a volley charged down, Meikle put an effort over the bar & Bradley Harrison had a shot saved after a well worked short corner. On seventy minutes Hicks switched the play and put McLachlan on his way goalward, only to be tripped on the edge of the area. There was plenty of expectation as Hicks lined up the free kick in a central position, but a powerful shot saw the ball continue rising over the Harlow bar, one to warm the ball boys up. A good run down the right from Meikle saw Harrison find a good position in the Harlow area and as the cross appeared to pass behind him a display of quick improvisation & agility saw the ball graze the Harlow bar with the keeper beaten. Lumsden continued to break up play in midfield, spoiling Harlow build ups and releasing Thomson & McLachlan. Hicks even ventured forward as the Harlow defence opened up before him, his low cross side footed on target by Meikle, but with Horton quick to save at his near post. The challenge from Harlow fizzled out as Cheshunt continued to create chances, with Harrison having two late opportunities to make the game safe.
A good win for Cheshunt, but another game, where the opportunity to goals ratio could have been better.
Cheshunt: Dodd, Schillachi, Parry, Mountford, Williams, Hicks, Thomson, Lumsden, Harrison, Meikle (Dearie 89), McLachlan (Forbes 89). Subs not used Dos Anjos, Sentain, Light.
Att: 239