CHESHUNT 0 ILFORD 0
Ryman League Division 1 North
Saturday 28th February 2009
Harry England reports.....
Ashley Harris held Ilford to a no-score bore draw at Theobalds Lane on Saturday afternoon. A couple of good saves by the 'keeper were the highlights of an otherwise uneventful game. Charlie Simpson was handed his debut, after recently joining from Bishops Stortford, whilst Daryl Mitchell made his first start for the club after he came on as a sub against Leyton last Saturday.
Lee Flavin had a mis-hit cross almost in the back of the net after just four minutes, but Harris did well to backpedal and tip the ball away. Fifteen minutes later he made a real save for the cameras, as he dived to his left to deny Ilford's Chris Taylor a goal. Just before half-time, he easily collected a weak effort from Derek Hawtin, and that was the only action of the half.
The fans were desperately hoping for something in the second-half, as the first was as entertaining as watching paint dry. Harry Chalk got a booking for dissent eight minutes in, before a looping Mervin Abraham header bounced off the top of the bar when there looked like there was no danger. James Hughes' twenty-five yard free-kick was watched over by Harris for the visitors, before Abraham saw an effort well saved by Robert Budd's foot. Hughes picked himself up a booking for a foul on Kai Ramshaw, before the Ambers somehow failed to convert a chance in the dying moments. A dangerous ball from the left by Glen Parry caused havoc in the opposition area, with a penalty appeal turned down, and then Dan Bradford's effort somehow being palmed away by the 'keeper, a disappointing end to a disappointing game.
Cheshunt: Harris, Thorogood, McGowen, Parry, Johns, Mitchell (Churchouse 74'), Taylor-Forbes, Boyce (Ramshaw HT), Pigden (Bradford 78'), Simpson, Abraham (c)
Unused: Tresadern, Taylor
Ilford: Budd, Flavin, Trice, Nelson, Noble, Russell (c), Messenger, Chalk, Taylor (Armstrong 25'), Hawtin, O'Holi (Hughes 62')
Unused: Howe, Pooley, Sawyer
Attendance: 143