Saints Reserves went down 2-0 at home to Boreham Wood last night in their first league game of the new campaign..........hopefully details will follow

Saints 2  Hadley 0  (Molten Spartan Premier Division)

Saturday's visitors from Hadley had made made the best start among the Premier Division's new boys but they left with a much better idea of the step up required to challenge at the top of the division as they came up against a Saints side starting to hit their stride.

Saints have flattered to deceive so far this season despite their winning start but here they were impressive throughout the side from the very first whistle to the final kick. More than the three points gained, there were strong signals that they are kicking into gear and that the fires have not been dampened by their near misses of recent seasons.

The most obvious test of how good Saints are playing is how visible talisman midfielder Alan Hedley is during the afternoon. The current Player of the Year is the most consistent and influential player in the side and if he stands out it is usually because others are playing below par. This time, Alan was one among many which is a great sign.

Hadley's reputation as a tough, direct side preceded them and Danny Edwards had Saints prepared and ready. A typically bright start, with Daniel Hughes and Terrell Lewis working well together on the left and Lewis Cumber pushing forward to support Adamson Ajayi on the right stretched the Hadley back line and Barry Brosnan worked hard and caused problems through the middle. The breakthrough came on 18 minutes when Terrell Lewis broke into the box, beating several players before letting loose an unstoppable shot into the corner for 1-0.

Hadley had their moments too, with their front line led by man-mountain Melford Simpson and Saints had to be sharp and organised to quell the threat. Dwayne Williams had a marquee afternoon, imposing himself on the game in midfield in a way long hoped for.

The game really came alive after the break with both sides sparring hard and looking for the decisive breakthrough but the defences held the upper hand at both ends. Ray Walsh and Lewis Cumber were strong at the back while Adam Louth was outstanding; totally committed to his role, even surprising the crowd with a right footed clearance at one point. Such were the swings in play that his usual clever play around the opposition area was denied as he rarely got out of his own half. 

New found fire from Saints continued to promise further reward with Kyle Jeffery, Adamson Ajayi and subs Jude Eboyi and Adam Bernard all having shots on goal. Hadley keeper, Russell Garland, had to be sharp and made some excellent stops to keep his team in the game.

With the clock running down, the visitors had to push forward to chase the game, leaving huge gaps at the back and they were finally caught out deep into stoppage time when more trickery from Terrell Lewis in the area left the goal exposed and an astute pass gave Eboyi and Hughes shots which were bravely blocked before Daniel Hughes nailed his second chance with the very last kick of the game. 

Saints: Mark Oliver, Lewis Cumber, Adam Louth, Ray Walsh, Kyle Jeffery, Dwayne Williams, Terrell Lewis, Alan Hedley, Barry Brosnan (Jude Eboyi 62), Daniel Hughes, Adamson Ajayi (Adam Bernard (72). 

Saints keep it clean

Saints 2  Holmer Green 0 (Molten Spartan Premier Division)

Saints maintained their unblemished start to the season with their fourth successive win and their second clean sheet.

A typically bright start saw Saints take the lead after just 6 minutes when Barry Brosnan turned in a Terrell Lewis cross with the Holmer defence caught napping by the speedy winger. Holmer's return to the top flight looked set to be a nightmare as Chalfont dominated the first half. Rikki Holmes was impressive on the right flank with strong support form Lewis Cumber who was able to push forward more than usual. Despite the domination, the Saints finishing was woeful and despite all the pressure they could not really worry the visiting keeper. Indeed, Holmer pushed forward just before the break and the whistle blew with Saints struggling to hold on to their lead rather than going in with a comfortable lead.

The frustration continued after the break and Mark Oliver and his defence had to stay sharp on several occasions as Holmer threatened to upset the form charts. The introduction of Adamson Ajayi introduced some extra pace down the right and Saints were in control of the game for long periods but it took until 7 minutes from the end before a delightful run from Terrell Lewis into the box, beating several players before flicking the ball over the diving keeper, secured all three points.

Saints have had a fairly comfortable start to the season but as things pick up, their conversion rate of chances will have to improve.

Saints:  Mark Oliver, Lewis Cumber, Adam Louth, Ray Walsh, Kyle Jeffery, Alan Hedley, Terrewll Lewis, Jimmy Froud (Adamson Ajayi 66), Barry Brosnan (Jude Eboyi 75), Daniel Hughes, Rikki Holmes (Adam Bernard 84).

Saints through in the FA Cup

Saints 1 Stotfold 0 (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round) 

Chalfont's winning start to the season continued on Saturday as visiting Stotfold were sent away empty-handed from Mill Meadow. Wembley glory may not be a realistic aspiration but a win in the Extra Preliminary Round is a first step!

Stotfold, new boys in the Spartan League, looked a little short of expectations as Saints made a bright start to the game, even after being knocked back by the early loss of Marcus Lansquoit to a hamstring pull on his debut. Saints continue to frustrate with their inability to turn their dominance into goals and it took half an hour before they broke through. A long range shot by Jimmy Froud from a short corner was parried by the keeper and in the resulting melee Barry Brosnan was on hand to poke the ball over the line.

With Daniel Hughes taking over the captain's armband, Saints were never short of inspiration and drive, but the defence was lacking the organisation that the holidaying John Carroll usually brings. Both keepers had to make some good saves and while substitute Jude Eboyi added pace to the the Saints attack, he combined with Terrell Lewis to miss the best chance of the afternoon.

As the second half drifted on, the events in the sky took on more interest. The clouds grew darker and darker and forks of lightning heralded a tremendous downpour that carried on to the final whistle, ensuring a truly damp squib of a finish to what was, in truth, a fairly routine Saints win.

This now sets up a visit to Burnham in the next round in two weeks time. 

Saints:  Mark Oliver, Lewis Cumber, Adam Louth, Ray Walsh, Marcus Lansquoit (Kyle Jeffery 5), Alan Hedley, Terrell Lewis, Jimmy Froud (Dwayne Williams 84), Barry Brosnan (Jude Eboyi 70), Daniel Hughes, Rikki Holmes.