A much depleated Chalfont ventured to the extremely cold Richings Park (cold everywhere apparently) with nine men, but generously finished up with 11 thanks to Richings. The game was quite exciting with Richings Park controlling much of the game, only the Chalfont Goalie and defence keeping things fairly watertight, with Kevin Peckham and Nick Wolfe also defending excellently (Watts and Peckam aka Laurel and Hardy).
The first Richings goal came from a well organised short, which got past me after the second attempt by their forward. The second goal came from an extremely well struck shot, though having the gaolie wandering to the other side of the pitch and leaving an open goal did not help matters, even with Andrew House bravely defending the near post.
Chalfont however struck back within minutes through Jonathan Pridmore, who did made sure that the nets did not have any holes in. Bloody cold though. Highlight of the match was the special Xmas food after the game - thanks to Richings Park.
What a thriller. Top of the table Windsor came to win handsomly against our team, but on our grass!! Chalfont battled well to hold out all of Windsors efforts, with some fine displays from both sides.
Windsor had their chances as did Chalfont but they could not find a way through. Chalfont however, could have won in the last few minutes when they piled on the pressure with several short corners in quick succession. Award for turning up late or not arriving goes to both Steve Jenkins who didn't make the start, and Jim Bridge turning up after the hard work again!
Chalfont St. Peter seconds should have won this match comfortably. After a first goal in the first ten mintues, the pressure appeared to wane, and Chalfont lost momentum assuming that more would follow. However, Creightonians never gave up and ploughed through the middle creating a number of chances and converting two (though one was disallowed because the ball had not been stopped from a short corner). In the second half, Chalfont poured on the pressure, having short corner after short corner, but failing to convert (mainly through us stopping it on the line rather than the opposition). The keeper actually had a couple of saves to make as well.
Chalfont St. Peter came to this ground with trepidation after last years pounding. However, early caution gave way to an excellent match with hard fought battles in the middle of the pitch (no not that sort).
Headington were first to score, when their slipply left winger lost his marker Gareth Bullock (who was looking for the nearest pillow to slumber against) and neatly slotted home after a fantastic clearance by the Chalfont Keeper (well it was an OK clearance) rebounded against Andy Cartwrights Leg into his path.
However, Chalfont came back into it, with Andy "Green Card" Cartwright shimmied past two players to score the equaliser. Another notable efforts were Alistair House scaring the team stupid, and probably the oppositions as well. His son Andrew played a blinder on the left wing.
Other excellent Chalfont players were Geoff "Stop 'em all " Bullock who did not let anything through as usual. This week's player who failed to make it was Nick Wolfe.
After some superb organisation skills, we finally found the ground in Chiswick.
My mate James "Ash" Ashby was good enough to play again for us, and rewarded us with two fine goals (especially the second). Jonathan Pridmore also scored a goal after being excellently set up by Jim Bridge.
ETESSA got a good goal (must have been good to beat the goalie!!) by getting it in somehow near the front post. Other notable events were a green card for each side (Alistair House) and that we should have got a bloody hatful and Nigel Smith turning up at Chalfont at 12.45 (three hours late)!
What a game. After little action in the first half, the game of two halves sprung into action, with Imperial College three times coming from behind to draw (their last goal being 33 seconds from the end of time).
The scorers for Chalfont St Peter were Geoff Bullock from a short corner, Andy Cartwright, and John Pridmore (though a disputed cracking fourth goal came from his stick as well. All three Imperial goals were from fast moves running at the Chalfont defence, possibly all scored by "Shaggy".