Cheshunt hosted high-flying Ryman Premier side Staines Town in a dull encounter at Theobalds Park on Saturday. Chances were few and far between in the F.A. Cup qualifier, with a midfield battle taking up large chunks of the game.

After a matter of seconds, Staines' Richard Butler hit a lob just over Harry Ricketts' goal, before Staines grabbed their first in the second minute. A corner was put into the Cheshunt area, and a lucky clearance fell to Dean Thomas, who had an easy tap-in to give the visitors the lead.

Staines could have added a second ten minutes later, as Richard Butler hit a shot under Ricketts, only to see Ricky Dobson take control of, and clear, the ball. Taylor-Forbes and Lewis showed some impressive teamwork for Cheshunt, exchanging passes neatly, which led to chances for Daniel Bradford and Gary Schillachi, whose cross was eventually cleared by the visiting defence.

The Ambers had two penalty shouts turned down in the next few minutes, a seeming handball from a Staines defender was not picked up on after Lewis' shot hit him, and the Reece Prestedge got in a tangle with a defender, which was also turned down by the referee
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The yellow-card was out as early as the twenty-fourth minute for Glen Parry, rather harshly, as a clumsy tackle was disciplined. Yohance Lewis had one of Cheshunt's best chances, as he chested a ball down well, took a touch, then unleashed a raging shot into the bottom corner, only for the effort to be met by Staines 'keeper Louis Wells. Daniel Bradford superbly turned a defender on the half-way line ten minutes before the break, leaving Taylor-Forbes and Prestedge through, but they disappointingly failed to shoot and the ball was consequently cleared. The ensuing break down the pitch led to a corner from which Staines doubled their lead. Dave Sargent whipped in the set-piece, and Lee Kersey made a good run to get to the ball first, powering a header into the bottom corner. Harry Ricketts pulled off a good save before the half-time whistle too, as Elliott Enochie's long-range effort was met in the air.

After starting off in an apparent 5-4-1, The Ambers reverted to 4-4-2 in the second-half, hopeful of getting at least a replay. This move very nearly payed off just three minutes into the new half, as Mervin Abraham saw his shot saved by Louis Wells' foot. Half-time substitute Duane Jackman impressively slid in to win the ball in the fifty-fifth minute, and his shot was met by the face of the impressive Lee Kersey who threw himself in front of the powerful effort.

The game was wrapped up by the visitors in the sixty-second minute, as Dave Sargent teed up Andre Scarlett, who made no mistake in thundering the ball home from the edge of the area. Cheshunt still looked to at least score though for the home fans, and Reece Prestedge rounded the goalkeeper, although unfortunately his touch was too heavy and it went for a goal-kick. Darren Williams earned himself a booking late on in the game, as Richard Butler made a meal of a late tackle from him (although unsurprisingly getting up and chasing after the free-kick!).

 
Cheshunt: Ricketts, Schillachi, Parry (c), Keogh (Abraham 45), Williams, Dobson, Taylor-Forbes, Prestedge, Bradford (Tresadern 63'), Lewis (Jackman45), Gradosielski
Unused: Butler, Harrison,  Judge
 
Staines Town: Wells, J Newton, Sargent, Gordon, Thomas, Kersey (McDonald 83'), Charles-Smith (Dean Fenton 63'), Brown, Butler, Onochie (Haule 78'), Scarlett
Unused: Cook, H Newton, James, Courtnage

Attendance: 236