Football is a cruel game. Just ask Chalfont manager Danny Edwards, whose team suffered a setback at Harefield United on Saturday when a last gasp winner sealed the points for the home side. In a Halloween clash that offered tricks, treats and a chance for Chalfont to edge closer to Colney Heath on the summit of the Spartan South League, it fell to United’s super-sub Lee Haynes to save the day for Preston Park’s residents.
Chalfont created the first clear cut opportunity on 10 minutes when Hughes’ shot from just outside the Harefield penalty area could only find the hands of Miller, the vocal goalkeeper making his views heard as his team mates trotted back towards the half way line. He didn’t have to wait long to again make his voice known when Chalfont right back Smith looped a cross-cum-shot over the woodwork. Lucas Williams then provided more problems for Harefield, ghosting past Smith before drilling in a low cross that Glenn Bellis’ team scrambled away to safety.
However, their luck did not last long as Chalfont’s pressure allowed them to take the lead on 23 minutes with a slightly fortunate goal. A through ball from Chalfont number 10 Thompson squirmed past a host of defenders before deflecting off Hughes and arching into the roof of Miller’s net. Chalfont didn’t care as Hughes wheeled away to celebrate with the rest of the squad. United were barely able to catch their breath when Looth’s thunderous half volley was smartly parried away by a sprawling Miller, diving quickly to his left to deny the adventurous centre back. Thompson and Williams then failed to make the keeper work as both missed with a header and an angled drive respectively.
The Hares responded through number 9 Reader, the lightening quick striker forcing an unconvincing clearance from Oliver’s goal line. Vulnerable to a counter attack, United were relieved to see Williams’ rocket beaten away once again by Miller after Smith had released him down the right on 34 minutes. Togwell then saw yellow for a foul on Buckle, but redeemed himself almost immediately afterwards by seeing out a corner that had threatened an equaliser. With half time beckoning Chalfont managed to repel all assaults on Oliver’s area, conjuring numerous chances for themselves, with Strutton scooping over and Hedley heading Smith’s free kick directly at Miller.
Whatever Bellis said to his side during the break seemed to work as Preston Park’s locals did not have to wait long for a goal. United’s Lindsay chested a lofted ball to Johnson on the right, and despite his cross failing to probe past the first defender, Ray Curtis collected the rebound, skipping past the collision of Thompson and Williams before cutting it back for Harefield captain Brown to smash wide. Referee Barnes judged that Brown had been fouled when attempting to guide home Curtis’ cross, awarding a penalty that Brown duly despatched to Oliver’s left on 51 minutes. 1-1. Game on.
Just as the home side’s supporters settled back into their seats Alan Hedley struck home, flicking Thompson’s chipped pass under the body of United’s onrushing keeper to snatch the advantage back as the clock hit 53 minutes. Perhaps the experts are correct when they say you are at your most vulnerable when you have just scored. Bellis’ men came close to proving this theory minutes later as Brown arrowed a header into Oliver’s grasp following a neat passage of play. Strutton then threatened to make it 3-2, tearing through half of United’s team, surging from the half way line to
lash a left footed effort across the face of goal and up past the corner of the crossbar, Miller rooted to the spot and grateful for Strutton’s misfortune.
Harefield fought back bravely, not only dominating for a period but also grabbing another equaliser on 65, this time through the head of Reader. Substitute Haynes provided a beautifully weighted cross after dashing down the far left wing, the ball sailing beyond Chalfont’s back line and onto a downward header from Reader that beat the keeper low to his left. The Hares continued to control the passage of play, a lot of which was channelled through the majestic Curtis. Even so, Chalfont came the closest to finding their third lead of the match. Hughes was once more behind an opportunity, thumping an excellent volley onto the crossbar, evading Millers dive as well as the net before bouncing off the line and away to the sound of sighs reverberating around the majority of the fans.
Danny Edwards then witnessed his team squander the most gilt-edged chance Thompson and Strutton will ever see in their footballing lives. Through on goal with Miller slumped on the turf the strike partners some how contrived to miss, both hesitating as if to say "after you". Eldridge didn’t need a second invitation, booting the ball into touch for a throw in as Chalfont’s front men were left wondering whether to laugh or cry. It was a mistake they would later regret.
The Saints pursuit of a winner yielded little as Strutton’s dinked attempt went over the keeper and over the bar from Hedley’s pass following swift exchanges between Hughes and Loath. Lee Haynes then diverted a header wide as Oliver misjudged the flight of a Harefield free kick. Willis attempted to rectify the situation but his cross from the left only ricocheted off Chalfont number 2, Smith, and out for a goal kick. Yet you couldn’t help thinking that one of these balls would hurt the visitors. Strutton proved that it wasn’t his teams day when he needlessly received a yellow card for kicking the ball in disgust in response to an offside decision as extra timed ticked on.
With a draw on the cards at 2-2 it seemed like a fair result for both sides, each having carved out opportunities, tackled hard and voiced their opinions. Haynes however had not read the script, turning from provider to goal scorer on 92 minutes, rising highest to bury the pumpkin coloured football in the right hand corner of Chalfont’s goal. Whilst he was mobbed by everyone from his nearest team mate to Miller rushing from his goal the yellow shirts from down the road collapsed to the ground in utter disappointment.
Manager Danny Edwards encapsulated the performance when speaking after the final whistle signalled an away defeat for his battling squad. " We played some good stuff. At 2-1 we should have gone on to win, we had worked so hard to get there. Even 3-2 for us would have ended it". Both teams can take great heart from this game. A fine victory for Harefield will provide a boost for their campaign, while second place Chalfont did indeed fashion some imaginative chances, falling victim to the old adage of "taking your chances". Leverstock Green now stand in the way of Chalfont learning this lesson and returning to winning ways.
