Striker on target twice in win at Chesham

SSML Division One

Chesham United Res. 0 London Colney 2

RYAN Thompson’s London Colney got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Chesham United Reserves.

It proved to be a classic game of two halves as the Blueboys dominated the opening 45 minutes but a change in tactics at the interval by the hosts saw the initiative swing in their favour.

Colney created the best of the early openings but both John Butler and Craig Knightly were off target with their efforts.

Striker Matt Newman has been in excellent form since his summer switch to Cotlandswick and it was no surprise when the diminutive striker broke the deadlock heading home Danny Fitzgerald’s corner.

Newman wasted a good opportunity to double the tally when a poor clearance fell kindly for him but he rushed his effort and failed to find the back of the net.

Newman’s strike partner Aaron Clarke did his best to get his name on the scoresheet but his header came back off the underside of the crossbar while at the other end Mark Whittamore produced good saves to deny Jordan Gill and Lynton Goss.

The Blueboys were again left cursing the woodwork with Knigthly the unlucky party this time but right on the stroke of half time the decisive second goal came.

Fitzgerald blocked an effort from Goss in the Colney half before quickly releasing Newman. With Chesham stopper Weatherill racing off his line Newman took his shot early, steering the ball past the ‘keeper from 25 yards.

In an attempt to alter their predicament the home side made three changes at the break, forcing Colney to switch from 4-4-2 to 4-5-1 as a result.

Lewis Rolfe beat Whittamore with a shot that cannoned back off the post and the Blueboys stopper had to be in top form to deny Tobi Akin, Matt Lynch and George House.

Knightly had the chance to add a gloss to the scoreline for Colney when he was teed up by Newman but he dragged his shot wide of the goal meaning the Blueboys had to settle for just the two-goal margin of victory.

Colney: Whittamore; Thompson, McCafferty, Saul, Paradise, Butler (Stevens), Shaw, Fitzgerald, Newman (Cole), Clarke (Jowle), Knightly. Sub not used: C Day.