Hendon 0 - A & C 5

Amersham and Chalfont met bottom of the league Hendon away on Saturday. Determined to show their ability the push started with Watts pressing the home defence and showing their early frailties. This spurned A&C confidence and some strong tackling from Crossman in the centre led to Watts top of the D, rounding a diving keeper before calmly slotting home on his reverse from wide left, leaving diving defenders in his wake. Minutes later, after several failed Short corners a flick was awarded as the Hendon post man stopped a flick from Scott on the line with his chest. This left Crossman to slot home into the bottom corner.

The second half was about A&C control, as patient build ups led to shots from Captain Cartledge and player coach Jonathon Budd, and a deft rebound from Watts to get his second of the match. Final praise though fell on A&C Sweeper Charlie Wooler, man of the match, as Hendon left the field having failed to get any scoring opportunity, as Wooler commanded and ran an impenetrable defence.

In the run up to Christmas the side meet top of the table Wokingham, OMT and Bicester with Cheshunt in the cup on 1st December

Team: Lovelace, Wooler, van Duyenbode, Heath, Westaway, van Eestren, Budd (1), Crossman(1) , Sargent, Scott, Watts(2), McCallion, Cartledge (1) (c)

A & C 0 - Rover Oxford 1

The Amersham and Chalfont men's side lost their second league match of the season last Saturday in a top of the table clash with Rover Oxford. A closely fought match saw both teams struggling to break through or create chances on goal. A tough mid-field battle kept the game at a stalement until just before half-time, when a quick break from a tight corner saw the Rover Oxford centre forward clinically finish from the top of the D. The second half followed a similar pattern, though A&C fought well to try to get an initiative. Yellow cards for either side were a reflection of the second half commitment and the team were unlucky on several occasions not to draw level, mainly due to the RO keeper saving twice from short-corners and at the final whistle both sides felt like they had been in a well competed match. After the previous weeks 8-2 loss, this was clearly a great improvement, where no individual stood out as the whole team put their names down to take the knocks. Next weeks match away to Hendon should see the team back into the swing before meeting top of the table Wokingham in a fortnight

Pearce, Payne, Westaway, Wooler, Chiles, Heath, Shambles, Van Eestren, Crossman, Sargeant, Scott, Budd, Watts

Mill Hill 0 - A & C 1

Continuing their form Amersham and Chalfont travelled to Mill Hill on Saturday, returning with all three points, but only after some final minute dramatics. The match started with Mill Hill on the attack. As A&C struggled to get into a frantic match the home side found themselves camped around the A&C 'D', but incredible defence kept the attacks at bay. Despite several short corners, prolonged pressure and several clear chances, Mill Hill were unable to open the scoring thanks mainly to the efforts of Darryl Chiles at Centre Back working around the great effort of the other defenders.

The second half continued in the same vain but defending as a team A&C soaked up the pressure with David Crossman working tirelessly to combat the Mill Hill strength on the right. With ten minutes to go A&C began to take advantage of gaps in the mid-field, and slowly began to build a few promising attacks. It was not however until the last minute that a strong build up found Crossman in the D with two defenders to beat. This he did with fleet of foot and spinning shot to the bottom corner. The goal-bound ball beat the keeper nicking an A&C stick as it flew into the far corner.

The game ended 1-0 to A&C and a shocked Mill Hill knew that they had lost the game due to a superb A&C team performance in defence. The big matches will be this weekend when local rivals Gerrards Cross host the First XI at Beaconsfield School and A&C Second's return the favour at Newlands Park.

Andy Pearce (Goal), Mark Wardman, Giles Payne, Shambles, Darryl Chiles, Peter Westaway, Lau van Eestren, David Crossman, James Heath, James Stevens, Warren Scott, Martin Cartledge, Jonathon Budd, John McCallion, Doug - Manager

A & C 3 - Tring 0

The importance of winning the third match in a row was not lost on Amersham and Chalfont First XI, and the team started in bright form with defence and attack seamlessly applying pressure in all areas of the pitch. Despite recent results Tring proved no slouch as they held off early attacks to the top of the D. This is where A&C showed new resolve and changed to a wider attack. This inevitably led to the opener as a Crossman speciality free-hit found Cartledge to deflect in from close range. This led to an increase in urgency and renewed attacks broke the Tring defence for Westway to round the keeper and slip the ball in with trademark pinpoint accuracy, and put the home side 2-0 up at half-time.

The second half was about learning to cope as times got hard, and an early spell of uncontrolled play was held together by Shambles and Wardman at the back with some outstanding saves from keeper Andy Pearce. With ten to go the side showed strength and resolve and stepped up the pace again, relaxing to again get the upper hand. With consummate ease they broke down the right, slipped to Cartledge on the by-line who rounded the last defender and slipped back to man-of-the-match Scott who slotted home with a little help from a Tring stick. Despite an excellent win the most impressive statistics remains the unbeaten defence in three successive matches, a solid block on which some impressive play has been built.
Team:Andy Pearce, Mark Wardman, Darryl Chiles, Giles Payne, Shambles, David Crossman, Lau van Eestren, Peter Westaway (1), Martin Cartledge (1) (c), Warren Scott (1) (mom), Jonathon Budd, James Heath

Lions 0 - A & C 2

In the second week of league matches Amersham and Chalfont first XI travelled away to play a strong Lions team. The tentative opening period was kept to 0-0 by a strong defensive line, as waves of attacks, helped by some home advantage umpiring, saw Andy Pearce having to work at his best to keep the numerous short corners out of the goal. Supported by an encouraging strength of defence A&C slowly got to grips with the game and came close on several occasions after breaks down either wing. But the first decisive move came in the 30th minute as the team, spurred on by cheer leader Annie Brothwell, strung together a series of controlled passes to leave their Captain, Martin Cartledge to slot home past an exposed keeper.

With the arrival of van Eestren into the mid-field the team began to dominate, supported in front by Stevens, and man-of-the-match Daryll Childes behind the centre of mid-field became the heart of the A&C play and distribution of the ball found the Lions defence exposed on several occasions. The flow continued through half-time, until a strong defensive tackle from A&C, saw the Lions right wing lose his cool and given time to regain it from behind his goal. Immediately A&C capitalized on the man advantage and an inch perfect pass from Cartledge on his own 22 split the Lions defence to leave Scott a simple deflection from inside the Lions half to a waiting James Heath. With no hesitation he coolly slipped the ball to the by-line and roofed it over a flaying keeper to put A&C two up. The game ended 2-0 to keep A&C, now with two clean sheets and six points to start the season.

A & C 7 - Hayes 0

At the start of the league season Amersham and Chalfont men's teams ran out a series of wins to mark the start of their season, lead impressively by their first XI. A controlled first half saw the visitors, league new comers Hayes always on the back foot. A&C took an early lead when some close stick work from Scott found Stevens free on the far post, and his sharp control and pass to Cartledge opened the scoring. This was followed by a series of deftly controlled attacks, cumulating in an indoor style goal from a long corner to Westerway on the baseline, across the D to be slotted past a stranded keeper by the waiting Crossman.
A half-time score of 2-0 to A&C was to be built on as Dan Lovelace, in his first team league debut, made an impressive early save which ultimately led to a deserved clean sheet. This save steadied any possible nerves and with growing fines the team began to build. The pressure told and a solid break down the right saw Rutherford cross with precision to Budd who swept in from close range. With all the goals to date being indoor style punches, it was time for the big guns to be wheeled up from defence leading to a couple of resounding pinpoint short corner goals from Giles Payne, Peter Westerway and a rebound to be nicked in by Scott. Man of the match Lau van Eestren controlled the centre of the park for the whole match leaving the visitors thoroughly frustrated, a match of attacking from defence and defending from the front showed an unstoppable unity on the day from the men's 1s capped off a late second from Budd. With local rivals Gerrards Cross beating Tring 7-0 this should be an interesting season for the local teams.

Team: Dan Lovelace, Giles Payne (1), Mark Rutherford, Huw, Mark Wardman, James Heath, Peter Westerway (1), David Crossman (1), Lau van Eestren, James Stevens, Warren Scott (1), Jonathon Budd (2), Martin Cartledge (c) (1)

Marlow 2 - A & C 2

Amersham and Chalfont found depth and strength in their squad on Saturday as they completed the warm up to the league season. With several players away or injured, a line-up including only 3 of the regular players from last season faced an organised Marlow. A brisk start saw good penetration from the A&C midfield, but final ball failed to produce a deserved lead. As in previous weeks a loss of shape towards half-time, and a couple of defensive errors bought on 2 Marlow goals. Unperturbed the Amersham and Chalfont team used the half-time break to reform and renew their attack. With encouraging effect and some "no nonsense" play from Wardman they closed out Marlow. With good use of wide play from Nick Wilson and James Stevens, the passes began to find Ward up front. Clever use of the ball around the area and some slick passing bought the score-line back to 1-0 and there then followed ten minutes of sustained pressure with several goal line clearances from Marlow. With Mark Wardman showing strength in defence, and the progression of Childes turning defence into attack, the a second from Scott to equalise was no surprise as a combination of passes produced an easy and clinical goal. While needing to eradicate the errors and periods of disorganization, a good fight back and spirit lifted the team and left them unlucky not to win.

Andy Pearce, Shambles, Daryll Childes, Mark Wardman, Peter Westerway, Huw Rhys, Lau van Eestren, James Stevens, Warren Scott, Duncan Ward, Nick Wilson, Doug MacColl - Manager

A & C 1 Richings Park 3

Despite a good opening period against Ritchings Park, Amersham and Chalfont failed to capitalize on the pressure and conceded against the run of play from a Jason Gill strike. Despite some good pressure and a goal on 23 minutes from a pinpoint post short-corner from Giles Payne, Amersham and Chalfont ended the half 3-1 down, both Andy King and Jason Gills taking advantage of defensive errors. The second half saw more organization and much better control, and the costly errors of the first half eradicated to create a strong second half performance. Darryl Childes and Lau van Eestren again providing a strong performance in the middle of the park, supported by Stevens and Crossman on their flanks. Good keeping kept Ritchings Park ahead by 2 until the end of the game, but Amersham and Chalfont First XI came away with an improved performance against a side they lost 5-1 to in the Cup final last season. This should give Captain, Martin Cartledge, a good idea of the capabilities of a side that were always trying to improve and battle against stronger opposition.

Andy Pearce, Tom Powel, Giles Payne, Darryl Childes, Mark Rutherford, David Crossman, Lau Van Eestren, James Stevens, Warren Scott, Jonathon Budd, Martin Cartledge, Alan Caruthers

Banbury 7 A & C 2

The opening period of an exciting Cup match saw Amersham and Chalfont rocking the Banbury team on their home pitch. Sustained pressure around the opposition goal lead to a wonderful reverse strike from Jonathon Budd leaving the keeper rocking on his heels. Despite further forays into the area, the front line of Budd, Scott and Wooler were unable to capitalise on the surges from Tom Powell and David Crossman who managed to devastatingly penetrate the (Banbury)ring on several occasions. With 15 minutes gone the Banbury strength and confidence began to grow and despite some amazing defence from Andy Pearce (goal), James Heath and Hugh **surname**, several clinical shot corners left Amersham and Chalfont trailing 4-1 by half-time against the run of open play. The second half saw a clearly tired side struggle to clear their lines, and the almost inevitable fifth and six goals came, though only after a disputed flick was awarded. However A&C then set their stall for the season, and for the last 25 minutes battled hard, playing with determination, desire and spirit. Despite being under pressure they waited for opportunities and a break from Scott down the right wing saw a long cross carefully guided over the line by Duncan Ward making his debut at Centre Forward. On several occasions the combination of Stevens and Caruthers on the right, switching to Crossman, left the Banbury defence rocking, and but for some excellent defence the score could have been closer. In the end the scoreline told a different story to the play, but while disappointed, A&C left knowing that they can be a contender in their own league this season and will look to take the spirit and skill shown into their last pre-season match against Marlow this Saturday.

Andy Pearce, Giles Payne, James Heath, Colin Byrne, Huw Rhys Davies, David Crossman, Tom Power, James Stevens, Warren Scott, Jonathon Budd, Charlie Wooler, Alan Caruthers, Duncan Ward

A & C vs Berkhamstead 1-1

The Amersham and Chalfont season got off to a solid start with a draw against Berkhamstead. Despite missing some key players Amersham and Chalfont were unlucky not to come away with a win. It took them 15 minutes to find some form and cohesion in both defence and attack, and were fortunate not to concede an early goal as René Wickes made a strong double save at his near post to deny Berkhamstead. A tactical switch saw Daryl Childs, in his first game back at the club, move to play at centre back giving better shape and control to the team. As the game wore on Amersham and Chalfont started to find their flow with man of the match David Crossman working beside Lau Van Eestren to open up space for the forwards to exploit. Some sharp passing saw Warren Scott take advantage of space around the D to create the opening Short Corner, leading to Amersham and Chalfont being one up just before half time. The space behind Berkhamstead defenders continued to be exploited and Amersham and Chalfont were unlucky not to go 2 up when Martin Cartledge rounded the keeper only to slide his shot wide from an acute angle. Then with just 7 minutes to go, and after an unseen Berkhamstead foot stopped a shot on their goal-line, some slack play at the other end saw the Amersham and Chalfont defence left isolated and a quick pass from Berkhamstead found their striker in space at the top of the D. A great shot into the corner beat a despairing dive from the A&C keeper. Despite some late pressure A&C were unable to regain the lead and the game ended in a disappointing draw.

Rene Wickes, James Stevens, Lau Van Eestren, David Crossman, Daryl Childs, Mark Wardman, Warren Scott, Charlie Wooler, Martin Cartledge, Mark Rutherford, Johnathon Budd, Tom Power