Saints undone by Ducks
Saints 0
Aylesbury United 1 Mitford 85
Evo-Stik League South East (Tuesday 28 November)
Saints: Carl Dennison, Mark Goodman, Alex Lafleur (Ryan Haugh 80), George Fenton, Alan Hedley, Jack Mullan, Rob Hastings (Frankie Jones 61), Alex Paine, Ben Ward-Cochrane, George Beattie (Max Holland 80), Victor Osobu.
Attendance. 60
Alan Hedley: 500 games strong
You would have to go back almost exactly a dozen years to come across a Chalfont side that didn’t have Alan as one of the first names to be featured on the team sheet.
Pulling on the red shirt for the first time on 22 November 2005, Alan came on as a substitute in a Wycombe Senior Cup tie. His first start came later that season and he was, thereafter a regular in the side.
A gifted, and versatile player, Alan made his mark predominantly in midfield, where he was the inspiration in guiding Saints to the Spartan League title, two Spartan League Cup times and a Wycombe Senior Cup win, as well as our run to the FA Vase semi-final. He is a multiple winner of the manager’s, players’ and supporters’ awards
It is nigh impossible to imagine a Chalfont side without Alan in it. Hard work, boundless energy and comfortable away from the spotlight, there can’t be a better model for young players to emulate.
More recently, Alan has found a role in the heart of defence and, as always, has exceeded all expectations with his judgement and bravery.
Cheers, Alan. Here’s to the next 500.
Saints win as Hedley reaches a landmark
Saints 2 Ward-Cochrane 25, Beattie 57
Ashford Town (Middx) 0
Evo-Stik League South East (Saturday 18 November)
Match photos at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm9hfotU
Saints continued their excellent run of good form with an authoritative win over the division's leading scorers, keeping another clean sheet into the bargain.
However, as a club, Chalfont didn't forget that football, as in so many things, is about the people and the stories they bring. Favourite son Alan Hedley, rang up his 500th appearance for the club on Saturday, almost twelve years to the day since he first pulled on the red and green. A pre-match presentation, almost certainly to be followed by something bigger at the end of the season, drew the captain into the centre of attention. That is not his style and he was as keen as anyone to get the game underway as the rain beat down.
Ashford began brightly and were quickly into their stride, often first to the ball and probing for gaps in the home defence. There are very few of those these days. If Kameron English was a major outlet for Ashford then Alex Lafleur worked tirelessly to control that threat. Mark Goodman was always looking to set up a new attack and there aren't enough superlatives to cover the work of George Fenton and Alan Hedley in the heart of defence. Behind them, if Carl Dennison isn't yet able to relax then his task is made a lot easier.
As Saints settled into their own game, so the game became more interesting. New signings Ben Ward-Cochrane and George Beattie, both from Enfield FC, have settled in nicely and provide a pacy threat to any defence. With Victor Osobu a constant handful as as well, Ashford's high line in defence was broken with regularity and it was no surprise when Saints took the lead as Beattie fed in Ben Ward-Cochrane and his run and precise placement between post and keeper was superb. The celebrations marked the camaraderie in the team and the affection for their record-breaking captain.
Another new signing, Frankie Jones from Hayes & Yeading, made an early entry with Rob Hastings having to depart with blurred vision after an accidental knock, and while he took a little time to settle but as Saints gained ascendancy so his strengths higher up the field came into play.
The high quality entertainment continued after the break, with Ashford continuin to battle the resolute home defence while Saints always looked the most likely to score the next goal. And so it proved only with the roles of supplier and scorer being reversed. Another powerful run by Ward-Cochrane gave him the pace to cross into the danger area and George Beattie met it with a perfect header to steer the ball into the far corner.
Victor Osobu carved an excellent opening for himself to put the game beyond reach but after all the hard work, was denied by a post. Late penalty claims for both sides were denied as the game ran down with Chalfont extending their unbeaten run in the league to eight games, a run not matched since the heady days of their Spartan League title win in 2011.
A visit to Egham Town is up next, a ground Saints have yet to win at but in their current form confidence must be high.
Saints: Carl Dennison, Mark Goodman, Alex Lafleur, George Fenton, Alan Hedley, Jack Mullan, Rob Hastings (Frankie Jones 17), Alex Paine, Ben Ward-Cochrane, George Beattie (Ryan Haugh 82), Victor Osobu (Charlie Wilson 86).
Attendance. 67 Star Player. Alan Hedley
Osobu keeps Saints on track
Kempston Rovers 0
Saints 1 Osobu 82
Evo-Stik League South East (Tuesday 14 November)
Super Saints take the honours
Saints 1 Ward-Cochrane 66
AFC Dunstable 0
Evo-Stik League South East (Saturday 11 November)
Saints held again by late goal
Arlesey Town 1 Sambu 82
Saints 1 Cass 38
Evo-Stik League South East (Saturday 04 November)
Saints' Halloween horror show
Saints 0
Bury Town 3 Clements 45, Aitkens 83, Ramadan 85
Buildbase FA Trophy First Qualifying Round Replay (Tuesday 31 October)
Last gasp agony for Saints
Bury Town 1 Haugh og 90+5
Saints 1 Osobu 65 pen
Buildbase FA Trophy First Qualifying Round (Saturday 28 October)
Cass sees Saints to win
Uxbridge 0
Saints 2 Cass 19, 82
Evo-Stik League South East (Tuesday 24 October)
Saints: Carl Dennison, Mark Goodman, Ryan Haugh, George Fenton, Alan Hedley, Jack Mullan, Max Holland (Rob Hastings), Alex Paine, Jake Cass (Luke Maguire), Connor Shingleston (Ryan Lewis), Victor Osobu.
Attendance. 87
Saints' belief grows with draw
Saints 1 Cass 68
Cambridge City 1 Sharman 51
Evo-Stik Stik League South East (Saturday 21 October)
Match photos at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm7sA9YJ
But for some poor finishing in the dying moments which might have given the visitors an unlikely win, neither side can be too disappointed at the final result after game that had its entertaining moments but was dominated in no small part by the blustery conditions.
With the wind at their backs, Saints dominated the first half with the ball rarely making it out of the Cambridge half.
Cambridge, like many sides that find themselves relegated to a level they are unaccustomed to can find themselves under much pressure to bounce straight back and often accompanied by an air of entitlement by those following the club. On the field, Cambridge are a solid side who have made an excellent start to their campaign and will be very hopeful of achieving their aim of promotion.
Saints have been improving in recent weeks and there are growing signs that something good is developing. The loss of Adam Kirby, who moved to Bracknell during the week, had no obvious effect and there are early signs that a partnership between Jake Cass and Victor Osobu should bear fruit in front of goal. With Rob Hastings adding pace there is much to look forward to.
Any effect of the passing Storm Brian was less than expected although still impactful. Both sides tried to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible and there was much to enjoy. This was a game dominated by the defences and both did well under the swirling conditions.
Hugely against the run of play, Cambridge had the chance to take the lead on the the half hour mark in virtually their first visit to the Saints goalmouth when they were awarded a fairly soft penalty. Lewis Wilson didn't make the most of the opportunity and Carl Dennison made a fine save low to his left.
Saints will have been frustrated at their inability to take advantage in the first half, safe in the knowledge that Cambridge would come back into the game after the break when they had the wind behind them.
And so it proved to be. An excellent header by Ryan Sharman, unmarked at a corner, put the visitors ahead early on but, despite much huffing and puffing they rarely looked like cracking open the tough home defence. Saints are still looking for someone to provide the killer pass to open things up at the other end but always looked as though they were not out of the game.
Jake Cass is always a threat to defenders when he runs straight at them and so it came to pass and he was bundled over by Miller to concede a free kick in front of goal. With Chalfont players disrupting the defensive wall, it was Cass himself who fired the free kick through the wall past the unsighted keeper.
Both sides continued their own claims to victory and it wasn't until stoppage time when the best chances opened up, both times to the visitors but first Relizani and then Harradine both fired horribly wide and the fairest result was on the board when the final whistle was blown.
Saints: Carl Dennison, Mark Goodman,Ryan Haugh, George Fenton, Alan Hedley, Jack Mullan, Victor Osobu, Alex Paine, Jake Cass, Rob Hastings (Remmel Clarke 71), Gary Burrell (Max Holland 34).
Attendance. 78 Star Player. Carl Dennison
