MBBO Open League Division 1
Here is the state of play in the Mens 3rds league. As you can see, this weeks game against High Wycombe is basically the title decider.

Trysports League Division Three
This league sees the Ladies 3rds trying to avoid relegation in what is probably a two down situation. Their last two league games are against Wokingham and Marlow.

ATTENTION LADIES
For those of you that ordered kit from me on the last order, the replacement skirts are finally in! If you look in the womens box in the downstairs changing room, you will find all the new skirts labelled up with your name on. These are the latest style and free!

Feel free to take your skirt, and those for your friends. If its not marked with your name...it's not yours!!!!!

The following list, please take your skirt!

If you know someone does not receive this newsletter, please let them know as it makes my job so much easier. I hope everyone is happy with these replacements.

Thanks again...and try and all take them soon

Martin Cartledge
07747 004281
martinc@countdown.plc.uk  

TRACKSUITS
All Payments are now due could the following please contact me

Many thanks Otty
07801 759751
scartledge@pentland.com

OMT 0-3 Mens 1st

After recent disappointment A&C men's First XI travelled to Old Merchant Taylors again with a potentially weakened side. The match started in positive fashion with Richard Martin stealing from the push back and then laying off to Mark Wardman. In the next few minutes a series of passes across the width of the field ended with a darting run from James Stevens only just missing the through ball from David Nicklin. This pressure pushed OMT onto the back foot, and confident passing drew A&C closer to opening the scoring. Unable to capitalise on the early pressure almost proved costly as twice Taylors broke to set up close chances, Paine diving to save at the far post to great effect.

As the balance began to change a through ball from Martin in the mid-field found Warren Scott on the 25, and his drifting run and an immobile keeper left him with an easy reverse stick dink to open the scoring. This lucky opening settled the side, and the confidence began to show as Lau van Eestren worked tirelessly to clear up lose balls and open attacks down the left, while the support of Mark van Duyvenbode on the right gave Martin and David Crossman easy outlets when possession got tight. The defence looked composed with Richard Barnes arriving in the side, doctoring the central role with an inspiring calmness, and the strength on the left of Colin Byrne. But it wasn't until the second half that the team really came alive.

Nicklin, now growing in confidence turned his marker several times, and used quick passing to supply several key attacks, and eventually a through ball from mid-field gave Scott the chance to slip his man and as he broke top D found Martin free far post. A ball lashed across the advancing keeper left Martin diving headlong to slide the ball into an open net. As the tempo built, the team's confidence grew, and the occasional mistake was glossed over with tireless effort from Wardman, Jamie Lamborn and van Eestren across the back to grab loose balls.

The final goal came as van Eestren placed a free hit to Scott top-D. He spun the sweeper and darted toward the near post past the last defender, only to lift the ball over the keepers outstretched torso to the far post. With Stevens, Crossman and Nicklin all coming close in the later stages this was a definite upturn in the effort and style of the developing side.

Team: Paine, Wardman, Barnes, Lamborn, Westaway, Byrne, van Eestren, Crossman, Martin, van Duyvenbode, Scott, Stevens, Nicklin

Boys U14 2-0 Rover Oxford

Amersham & Chalfont's U14 Boys development/mixed team met Rover Oxford on Sunday in their penultimate Mercian League tie. Rover Oxford looked to be a strong opposition of older boys, however they could not match up to the skill and possession displayed by A&C who dominated the majority of the game. Erin Ruxton put A&C in the lead before the half-time whistle and the second half started with a great individual goal from David Nicklin. A&C were unlucky not to convert several more from their penetrating attacks when Nathan Ringham's shot was cleared off the line by a foot and Will Garrett shot just wide having individually taken on the keeper.

Team: Trewavas, Garrett, Ruxton, Phillips, Dunning, Hext, Salter, Ringham, Nicklin, Gee, Holmes.

Rugby & Cricket Spectacular.

Watch the Six Nations on Saturday and the Final of the Cricket World Cup on Sunday (Australia v India or Kenya). The club will be open from 10am on Sunday.

Ladies 1st 0-0 Maidenhead

Amersham & Chalfont drew a blank in their efforts to get back to winning ways in their Trysports Three Counties encounter with Maidenhead on Saturday at Newland Park. A&C started positively and created a few half-chances including Katy Shaw's reverse stick shot, which went just wide. As the early promise did not yield anything for the home team, Maidenhead grew in confidence and started to push forward. Vicki Williams was forced into one save before Sarah Watts produced a last ditch block to deny the visitors. Annie Brothwell set-up Cal Tomlinson for the best chance of the half just before half time but her shot went wide.

Soon after the break, good work by Kirstie Tomkinson helped set-up Katy Shaw but again the shot went wide. After this, Maidenhead started to enjoy longer spells of possession but were unable to break down a very solid A&C defence in which Watts excelled. The final chance of the match fell to Tomlinson a few minutes before the end after a through ball by Shaw but the Maidenhead 'keeper quickly closed down the angle ensured the game remained goalless.

Team: Williams, Watts, Spicer, Hagan, Watson, Bullock, Hewitt, Shaw, Coates, Brothwell, Tomlinson. Sub: Tomkinson

Henley 4-7 Mens Vets

Amersham and Chalfont Veterans got off to a bad start against Henley Veterans on Saturday, conceding an early goal. Martin Lamborn soon levelled the scores but the Newland Park side then missed open goals and other good opportunities to take the lead. Henley made few mistakes, scoring two goals, to go in 3-1 up at half time.

A&C had a stern talking to and came out revitalised after the break. Lamborn beat the keeper three more times, making four goals in all. Trevor Wood also scored and Tony Bennett added two more goals as Amersham & Chalfont netted six goals in the second half. Henley were only able to add a consolation goal to leave the final score 7-4. Amersham & Chalfont Veterans are away to Oxford Hawks on Saturday at 2.30

Team: Carter, Warren, Johnstone, Crossman, Baker, Fermor, Lamborn, Richman, Cremin, Bennett, Jenkins, Wood.

Gerrards Cross 0-4 Mens 3rd

The sun was high in the blue sky beaming down on the A&C warriors as they entered the field of battle against their most local of rivals - Gerrards Cross in yet another crucial game for the league leaders. A&C now make a conscious effort to dress as untidily as possible to disarm their opponents into believing that these honed athletes could surely not be those worthies at the top of the table. We also have the benefit of always being accompanied by a small select group of vociferous supporters - thanks to all of you for turning up.

It started well for A&C even before the whistle blew as all of the team members successfully negotiated an extremely tough warm-up routine devised by the inspirational leader and captain "Ian we're not worthy enough Ringham". This was followed by a well presented team talk where we were informed of the starting line up (no surprises there thank God) and the tactics - to win !!!

So, we eagerly took to the pitch anticipating a hard fought game but never doubting the outcome as we had such confidence in our team - hurrah !! It was quickly recognised that the GX No23 was their key midfield player and the subsequent endeavours by Ian and Nick (as well as others) limited his impact. However, that wasn't before GX had put the visitors under early pressure and indeed, had the cheek of having a shot on target - nonchalantly saved by the A&C keeper, Keoghan - large in talent but not in belly.

A&C settled down thereafter and although not playing as we can, it was enough to start to restrict the effectiveness of the opponents. The passing round the back (Peter, Daffy, Drew and Goochie) was quick and opened up spaces even though GX had the temerity to play with two nearly pre-pubescent boys up front - obviously on the assumption that their pace and fitness would overcome the wily (much) older A&C defenders - never really stood a chance of working but bless, they did run around a lot !!! The midfield not only stifled their opposite numbers but helped support and aid our attacking options - great work by Huw, Doug, Nick and Ian. With our alternating forwards (Neil, Tony and Russell) making intelligent runs wide and down channels, GX were pressed back more and more into their own 25 - surely it was only a matter of time before A&C scored. Well yes it was but later than the normal five minutes which the team takes - indeed it, must have been nearer 10 !!!! Outrageous, and I'm sure the captain had words with us afterwards on this very subject !!!

The first goal came after good work down the right by Doug and Neil who crossed to Ian, who with his normal aplomb, scored with a reverse hit. Within yet another 10 minutes, Nick, anticipating well, pounced on a GX 16 yard hit. He drove into their "D" beating the defender in the process before ever so calmly lifting the ball over the oncoming keeper - very well done.

However, that was it for the scoring which meant a few cajoling words from our mighty leader whilst supping on the revitalising water.

So, on we went in the bright sunshine and started the second half as dominantly as we finished the first. Indeed, within 5 minutes the nerves were settled by a smartly taken goal by our returning traveller Tony after yet more good approach work. The play thereafter was slightly bitty but on the whole in A&C's favour. It was shortly to change though as A&C quickly took a 16 out wide into space - Doug, hurrying back as quickly as his legs could carry him managed to control the ball right on the side-line before setting off up the right wing with tremendous pace. Slick and accurate interpassing with Neil completely bamboozled the opposition (who like the rest of us could only marvel at the level of play being exhibited) and led to our 4th goal (sorry, can't remember the scorer - only know it wasn't me !!) and richly deserved it was too, I must say.

Overall, a good win, very effective but not as fluent as in recent weeks.

This coming Saturday, we play the ultimate in "top-of-the-table" clashes as we play Wycombe, starting at 11am at Newlands Park - please be there to help us win and gain promotion

Team: Ian (C), Huw, Doug, Russell, Nick, Goochie, Peter, Drew, Neil, Daffy, Keoghan, Tony