Chesham United (h) on Boxing Day, KO 13:00

[Daedalus]

Southern League Premier Division -
St. Albans City (11th) v Chesham United (5th)
Boxing Day 2011, KO 13:00

No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/1310719688_large.jpg

No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/Saints%20Stuff/stalbans.jpg v No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/Saints%20Stuff/CheshamUnited.jpg

Clarence Park, St. Albans
No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/Saints%20Stuff/goalnetsaction.jpg
Copyright David Bauckham, Centre Circle Publishing. No reproduction without prior permission.

STATTO'S CORNER (written by Daedalus):

Chesham United Quick Guide:
Club founded: 1919
Nickname: The Generals
Club colours: White/Black/Black
10 year record:

01-02	02-03	03-04	04-05	05-06	06-07	07-08	08-09	09-10	10-11
IsthP 7th	IsthP 21st	Isth1N 4th	SthP 12th	SthP 22nd	Sthsw 15th	SthM 6th	SthM 5th	SthM 4th	SthP 6th

Read more about Chesham United's club history by clicking here.


Interesting links:

Chesham United official website

The Chesham United fans' forum can be accessed by clicking here.

Chesham United's last match was a 2-3 home defeat against Brackley Town. There isn't a full report on the Chesham United website at the time of writing.

The Herts Ad's City Live feature was back up and running for the last match versus Cambridge City at Clarence Park. If it is working again, it is usually available here. If it is not up and running, we usually hope to have some updates here on the forum for those who can't make the match.

We'll add any other interesting links here as they appear.


Current Form (last 5 matches in the league):
St. Albans City - LLLWW (home form - WWDLW)

Chesham United - WLDDL (away form - WDWWD)


Top league goalscorer(s):
St. Albans City - Paul Furlong and Sakho Bakare are both on 5 league goals for the Saints so far this season.

Chesham United - 27-year-old forward, Simon Thomas, is Chesham United's leading scorer with 8 goals in the league.


Latest Saints team news:

- Ryan Moran's four match suspension continues for this match. This is the third match of his suspension and he won't be available to play again until 2012.

- Michael Harriman will return from his suspension and therefore be available for selection again.

- The Review reports that Sean Shields is 'likely to be out of action until early January with his ankle ligament injury'. He picked up this injury against Hitchin Town at Top Field.

- St Albans City made two more new signings last week. 33-year-old ex-Harrow Borough striker, Dewayne Clarke, signed for the Saints along with 17-year-old Lewis Frost who has signed on a dual registration deal from Dagenham & Redbridge.

- Dewayne Clarke will, however, miss this match due to suspension.


Possible Saints starting XI (in a 4-4-2 formation):

No images allowed -http://footballformation.co.uk/team/442/241211103442.png

Quick Stats Guide (league matches only):

St. Albans City:
- Worst goals against column in the league having conceded 45 goals in 22
- 10 points out of the last 24

Chesham United:
- Not won for 4 games
- One win in 6
- Scored in their last 18 games
- 28 points out of the last 42

[Daedalus]

THE FINAL WORD - written by Saint (Jake Ellacott)

How did the Saints get on against Cambridge City?

The Saints recorded a confident 3-0 win at home against a Cambridge City side in poor form.

The first-half saw both sides battling hard, but clear cut chances were rare. However, with 40 minutes of the match having elapsed, the home side found a break through, when Danny Hart delivered a free-kick into the area, which Simon Martin managed to get a glancing header to, and it found it's way into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

After the interval, Cambridge came out fighting and went searching for a equaliser. However, the Saints defence dealt with the pressure well, with captain James Gray and goalkeeper Nick Jupp commanding the back-line.

Just before the hour mark, it was 2-0 to the Saints, as Simon Martin grabbed his second of the game. Danny Hart delivered another good cross into the box, and Martin headed the ball home, but only with a bit of help from the opposition keeper, who fumbled the ball into the back of the net.

Five minutes later, and the Saints made it 3-0 with a delightful goal, which sparked mass celebrations from the Saints players and fans alike. Defender Matt Cutchey received the ball on the edge of the area and curled a superb shot into the top corner of the net.

On the 77th minute mark, Cambridge were awarded a penalty for a rather innocuous challenge in the box. However, the visitors wasted the opportunity when Nick Jupp pulled off a great save to deny the penalty taker. It was one of several superb saves by Jupp to claim a clean sheet for the Saints.


What did David Howell have to say about it?

Howell praised the form and impact of midfielder Micah Hyde after the game, saying: 'I’m just really pleased to get him (Hyde) and he’s made a big difference and he’s settled in really well'.

Howell also praised his experience: 'He brings some experience to the players and when players aren’t doing the right thing he lets them know in a way that’s acceptable for them to take on board and not see it as negative criticism'.

The manager also spoke about the squad: 'There will be players coming in. At the moment we’re fine with the budget we’ve got, if anything I’ve not even used the budget I’ve been given'.

Howell's interview can be heard on the official club website here: www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/-manager-interview/1780.html

It can also be read on the St Albans & Harpenden Review site here: www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/9429547.Howell_hails_Hyde_s_impact/


How are Chesham United getting on this season?

Chesham have performed very well this season as they find themselves sitting in 5th place at Christmas, with 38 points from 21 games. They are 4 points clear of 6th placed side Chippenham Town.

In their last league outing, The Generals lost 2-3 at home to Brackley town.


Finally:

So will the Saints give the Clarence Park faithful a late Christmas present? Or will Chesham give City the post-Christmas blues? Get involved in the pre- and post-match discussion in the thread below! And a very Merry Xmas to everyone on Saints Chat!

COYS! No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/gialloblu.gif

[Daedalus]

The City Archives - Torquay United, 1980[/u]

We have a new feature to place alongside our previews this season, as one of Saints Chat's regular posters, Brummie, delves into the history books to provide us with match reports from the past. This gives a chance to walk down memory lane, or learn a little about City's past, before the next match in the present!

This time, Brummie has given us a typed report of a match that took place in 1980 against Torquay United. Over to Brummie for the details!

F A Cup 2nd Round

December 13th 1980

ST ALBANS CITY v TORQUAY UNITED

Tongues were sharpening this week as managers Ron Duke and Mike Green built up yesterday’s FA Cup second-round replay at Torquay United.

The verbal battle began immediately after City’s superb second half performance had earned them a deserved second shot at the seasiders, and in the end overshadowed what happened on the pitch.

On the Clarence Park pitch, Paul Mayles had answered Gerry Fell’s 37th minute goal with an excellent53rd minute reply.

Off the pitch Duke and Green also matched each other shot for shot.

GREEN “He’s just a plumber who knows nothing about football”

DUKE “The geezer’s an idiot. He can’t teach me anything I can promise him I don’t have to read a Roy of the Rovers annual before we go out to play”.

GREEN. He insulted Bruce Rioch. He’s got no right to do that”.

DUKE. “I didn’t insult Bruce Rioch. I respect him but I don’t respect his manager”.

Its difficult to pin-point where the slanging match originated but Torquay’s basic complaint were City’s failure to provide a doctor, the lack of soap in their changing room and Ron Duke’s use of four letter words “in the direction of Torquay’s chairman”.

Duke’s aggression was aimed at Torquay centre half Richard Bourne who was sent off one minute from time for this second bad tackle on Mayles and whoever broke Mick O’Donoghue’s nose after the final whistle”.

Fortunately in soccer the actions of players speak louder than the words of their managers, and 24 year old Mayles’ goal brought the loudest sound that Clarence Park had heard for many years.

Yet the 4,061 crowd who turned up were forced into numbed silence for the majority of the first half. After a pulsating first ten minutes Saints increasingly found themselves playing the role of supporting cast as Torquay’s 4-4-2 formation took control.

The defensive approach was surprising and a complement to City’s part-timers. But the Torquay tactics were vindicated in the 37th minute when Keith Bowker passed to Gerry Fell and he beat Ian Plumley with a low shot from the edge of the box.

The seasiders looked in control and confident and then the tide tuned. A clash of heads between Nick O’ Donoghue and Torquay skipper Bruce Rioch resulted in a cut forehead for the former Scotland captain.

He left the game and within two minutes Saints centre half Alan Droy, who had a superb game, headed just wide from Ian Whitehead’s free kick. The half time screaming and shouting in the tunnel became almost hysterical as Torquay realised that Rioch would not finish the match and would have to be stitched up in hospital.

And their panic on the pitch overflowed when the always troublesome Paul Mayles equalised eight minutes into the second half. The re-organised Torquay defence misjudged Ian Plumley’s long punt downfield. Nick O‘ Donoghue ran the ball into the box for Paul Mayles to go round Torquay keeper Vince O’Keefe before side footing home.

The crowd now smelt a giant killing was on, and Mayles could have given them one as he broke free in the 67th minute only to see his shot go the wrong side of the post.

George Cooper for St Albans, had a couple of half chances, and a clean cut opportunity was squandered by Torquay when Steve Cooper headed wide.

But over the 90 minutes a draw was just about a fair result, and the two sides were left to fight another day for the dubious distinction of an away tie at Barnsley.

TEAM. Plumley, Whitehead, Droy, Lennard, Levy, Sille, Cooper, Lawrence, Mayles, Dear and O’Donoghue. Sub Wood (did not play)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brummie’s note. Rumour had it that when the Saints went to Torquay for the replay. To add some fuel to the slanging match Duke took a large box of soap or Swarfega in the boot of the team coach to the game. Is this true??.

Thanks, as always, go to Brummie for delving into the City Archives to provide us with an interesting read alongside our usual match previews!

[EFMTFTV]

Brummie, your historic match reports used to be relevant to the opposition we were playing and in the case of playing someone new then someone local to them but recently it seems to be any old game?

I would have loved to see a report for that title decider in 92/93 v Chesham

[bowsaint]

The Chesham game in 1992/1993 was in the first season I started watching the Saints. I was only 6/7 years old so memories are vague in the extreme, but that was an incredible season.

I remember seeing a phot posted on a Saints message board a few years ago of Steve Clark celebrating his goal during what I think was this game. Does anybody have any recollections, or have that image? The camera was pointing towards the the left of the Coca Cola as you look at it, and there was a bike in the photo amidst terraces that were completely packed. Amazing to think there were over 3,000 at Clarence Park that day (a Diadora Premier Leage game).

Happy Christmas all.

[Deleted]

It was very misty.

[northamptonsaint]

I missed that title decider but do remember the Boxing Day fixture at The Park against Chesham in 1979 which City won 3.2, with our winner being an own goal scored by a former Saint, Alan Ayling who, trying to clear the ball for a corner, planted a precision header into his own net. How we laughed.

[panshanger]

The 1992/93 game was first season i went to follow saints, my bruv took me to game v basingstoke and 4-0 home wins were regular score. The game v Chesham was very foggy and best two teams in league by far, wot we could do with Erskine, Cockram, Duffield, King and Steve Clark tomorrow, hoping everyone comes down park boxing day and cheers Saints on to third win in row. COYS.

[brummie]

Dec 24, 2011 17:04:51 GMT EFMTFTV said:

Brummie, your historic match reports used to be relevant to the opposition we were playing and in the case of playing someone new then someone local to them but recently it seems to be any old game?

I would have loved to see a report for that title decider in 92/93 v Chesham

Hi EFMTFTV. I haven't got that report for some reason. After the first few games this season it seemed that, as we are in a new league there were quite a few teams we had never played before (Cirecester, Barwell, Brackley Leamington etc) so D & I agreed to put a report of any match of my choosing in with a preview of the present day game. Just to get a flavour of City's past.

[Deleted]

1-0
Danny hart 40 mins

[Deleted]

1-1

[Saint]

FT: 1-1

[Saint]

ATT: 606

[Deleted]

1~1 final score nearly nicked it at the end

606 saw a good game of football for this level

[Daedalus]

Agreed Gaz. Both sides played their part in a very entertaining game. Felt a draw was a fair result in the end.

[tangerineman]

Yes, well played Saints. A creditable point against decent opposition.

Top save from Jupp in 1st half before Hart slotted home before the break. Bad luck for Gray when he made a fantastic block to save a certain goal early in the second period only to see the rebound fall to the Chesham Centre-half who bicycle kicked it back into the net if you please.

Chances for Saints to win it through Ijaha & Hart late on & they were the better team for final 20 mins. Quality all round game from Furlong also worth a mention in my book.

[EFMTFTV]

Dec 25, 2011 9:54:48 GMT panshanger said:

we could do with Erskine, Cockram, Duffield, King and Steve Clark tomorrow, .

Well Steve Clark kept his side of the deal, he was up in the bar after the game, great to see such a legend again

[Daedalus]

Other results on Boxing Day:

AFC Totton 2 - 0 Bashley

Arlesey Town 0 - 0 Hitchin Town

Barwell 3 - 1 Leamington

Bedford Town 1 - 2 Cambridge City

Brackley Town 1 - 1 Banbury United

Cirencester Town 1 - 2 Evesham United

Frome Town 0 - 0 Weymouth

Oxford City 1 - 1 Hemel Hempstead Town

Redditch United 0 - 1 Stourbridge

St. Albans City 1 - 1 Chesham United

Swindon Supermarine 0 - 4 Chippenham Town

[Daedalus]

The best Boxing Day attendance was at Clarence Park!

Brackley Town got 603 for their match against Banbury United.

There were 577 at AFC Totton v Bashley and 535 at Frome Town v Weymouth.

The Beds/Herts derby between Arlesey Town and Hitchin Town got 526.

[Daedalus]

Updated league table - www.southern-football-league.co.uk/league-tables/premier.asp?section=league-tables

Saints stay in 11th.

[Hatboy]

Tavs report: www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/9439375.Honours_even_in_Boxing_Day_thriller_at_Clarence_Park/?ref=rss


Mr Howell's post match interview: www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/-manager-interview/1788-howell-draw-was-a-fair-result.html

[Canary Saint]

A Chesham view of the game can be found at:


forums.cheshamunited.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=6846

[Hatboy]

James Ronayne's take on the game: www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/football/festive_thriller_ends_all_square_1_1163835

[Daedalus]

Dec 27, 2011 14:54:06 GMT Hatboy said:

Mr Howell's post match interview: www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/-manager-interview/1788-howell-draw-was-a-fair-result.html

That was an interesting interview to listen to, Hatboy!

Howell was certainly quite acerbic with some of his answers and expressions. It was certainly edgy at times, anyway!

[Hatboy]

Unusual for him isn't it but i like a bit of a bite not quite a told you so like AVB but still