Chesham United 3-2 Marlow

[Simon N]

Chesham:

1. Richard Hayward

2. Lewis Laws

3. Sam Ledger

4. Ollie Adedeji

5. Danny Talbot

6. Mark Lambert
(goal 77 mins)
7. Kevin Cotton

8. Steve Wales

9. Danny Burnell
(goal 69 mins, booked 53 mins)
10. Leon Archer
(goal 33 mins)
11. Michael Bardle

Subs:

12. Dom Marsala

14. Dave Fotheringham

15. Danny Gudgeon

16. Chris Bangura
(for Cotton 60 mins)
17. John Kyriacou
(for Bardle 45 mins)


Chesham got back to winning ways after Saturday’s FA Cup exit, but they had to do it the hard way after falling behind twice against mid-table Marlow. Eventually it took a superb long-range goal from Mark Lambert to secure the victory.

There were four changes to the team after the Aylesbury defeat, with Lewis Laws, Ollie Adedeji, Kevin Cotton and Danny Burnell replacing John Kyriacou, Danny Gudgeon, Dave Fotheringham and Chris Bangura, although Bangura was originally due to start but was replaced by Leon Archer after arriving late. Darrell Cox was again unavailable. Chesham took control of the game almost immediately but Marlow’s defence looked secure early on, and the only half-chances fell to Lewis Laws who glanced a header across goal from Danny Talbot’s corner, and Leon Archer whose snap shot hit the side netting. The visitors had not threatened but took the lead in the 21st minute in the first worthwhile attack, when Richard Hayward came out of his area to clear but was beaten to the ball by Jermaine Roche who ran on to tap the ball into the empty net. Shortly afterwards defender Gavin Lane was given space to move forward and shot just wide from 25 yards, but Chesham equalised in the 33rd minute. Mark Lambert had plenty of support as he broke through the centre, eventually picking out Leon Archer with a through pass that Archer swept past advancing keeper Kieron Drake. Steve Wales then had a shot beaten away by Drake, then a great crossfield pass by Danny Burnell found Wales in space but Drake again blocked. However Chesham’s defence still looked vulnerable and in the first minute of stoppage time Roche crossed from the by-line on the left, to Jon Case who headed in at the far post as Chesham appealed that the ball had gone out of play.

Chesham made a tactical switch at half-time, taking off Michael Bardle and bringing on John Kyriacou on the right and moving Lewis Laws into the centre of defence. In the second minute after the restart Danny Burnell’s chip went across goal and wide of the far post, then at the other end Stewart White crossed and Roche appeared to flick the ball wide although the referee awarded a corner. However the defence was looking more solid and Chesham began to resume control of the game. Burnell outpaced the defence to reach Danny Talbot’s through ball but shot high and wide, before Chesham equalised in the 69th minute. Sam Ledger crossed from the left to Danny Talbot whose shot from the edge of the area was blocked, but Danny Burnell swept the loose ball into the net from ten yards. Marlow came back with Roche finding Yashwa Romeo in space who attempted to lob Richard Hayward but the ball sailed well over the bar, but Chesham were looking the more likely winners and took the lead for the first time in the 77th minute. A free kick into the area was headed out as far as Mark Lambert, who controlled the ball and sent a great shot dipping into the top corner of the net. Marlow’s frustration began to show with four yellow cards in the final quarter-hour, while Chesham controlled the game to the end with Danny Burnell’s snap shot from 35 yards flashing just wide in stoppage time.