The Saints were back in league action  on Saturday at the Waterside Stadium home of table topping Walton Casuals, who haven't lost a league game all season but did lose to Chalfont in the Challenge Shield at Mill Meadow back in February.

The home side made a lot of the early running without really creating anything of any quality with long range shots sailing over the crossbar or Simon Stainsby in the Chalfont goal gathering easily. Chalfont too were guilty of long range shots being off target and the game settled down with Chalfont trying to catch Walton on the break. In the 20th minute  a breakdown in midfield saw Walton pressurise the Chalfont defence and the forward was played through to open the scoring. The Saints had a great chance to equalise before the interval when Jamal Stewart chased a lost cause and his first shot was saved by the Casuals keeper, as was his second attempt. The resultant parry out by the keeper was then fired towards the Walton goal but a defender intervened and headed it clear for a corner.

The second half started with a formation change for the Saints and they started briskly and had a lion's share of the possession in the early exchanges. Simon Stainsby also had to be on his toes with some routine saves but it always looked like Chalfont would get back in the game, and they did just that in the 84th minute. Julian Smith picked up the ball in midfield and went on a jinking run, he then played in Jordan Robinson who stroked home the equaliser. The game then looked as if it would end all square but there was to be a sting in the tail. With the game entering into injury time the officials  between them decided that an infringement had occurred on the touchline, for what no one knew and even the home bench raised their eyebrows when it was awarded. The free kick was swung into the now crowded penalty area and a Walton head rose highest to divert the ball into the net to take all three points.

Overall Chalfont had done enough in this game to at least have a share of the spoils but it wasn't to be. The players should not be disheartened though as they showed plenty of desire and commitment and this will bode well for the remaining games in April and May.

With the Saints Reserves topping their group in the Challenge Shield their reward was an away tie against Dunstable Town from the North Division. With the travel arrangements finalised and player availability good, the squad and management arrived at the impressive Creasey Park Stadium and anticipated a good game as Dunstable's results have improved just lately.

With some snow patches still visible in some areas of the pitch the game kicked off and the home side created two good chances to open the scoring but one hit the side netting and the other went just wide. The Saints then started to get a foothold in the game and a Julian Smith pass to Jordan Robinson saw Jordan hit the back of the net to open the scoring in the 11th minute. This gave the impetus to Chalfont and after a sustained period of pressure Julian Smith smashed the ball past the keeper six minutes later from the right hand side, after good approach play by Jamal Stewart. Jordan Robinson pulled out a good save from the Town keeper in the 26th minute and a minute later Jamal Stewart was thwarted by the keeper in a one on one situation and the rebound was put firmly over the bar by Jordan.

The second half saw the home side take the game to Chalfont but the defence stood firm and any breaches were mopped up by Simon Stainsby the Chalfont custodian for the evening. The game ebbed and flowed and Simon Stainsby pulled off a good save with nine minutes left. With only five minutes to go Chalfont had a great chance to score from the penalty spot after Julian Smith was upended in the Town penalty area. However the tamely hit kick by Luke Heneghan was easily saved by the keeper. The Saints then saw out the remainder of the game to progress to the Semi Finals of the Challenge Shield.

Overall the result and performance against a very determined and resilient opposition was satisfying after an entertaining match between two sides intent on playing the game in the right spirit.

 Saints: Simon Stainsby; Pardeep Ghattoara; Chris McConnell; Hailu Theodros; Joe Hopla; Emmanuel Sam; Julian Smith; Jordan Robinson; Jamal Stewart; Luke Heneghan;

Jamel Mattan

This Saturday 30th March 2013 the Saints Reserves travel to Waterside home of top of the table Walton Casuals for a Premier 'B' League match kick off 3.00pm.