Match report by Allan Mitchell
Cheshunt seem to be a hard nut to crack for the Tudors having lost the previous four encounters (including a couple of Herts County Cup fixtures) but they came into this game unbeaten in four league games, full of confidence, against a side who were still in the bottom four, although they were on a decent run of form themselves.
The first half, it has to be said was a forgettable affair with neither side really creating anything. The pitch wasn’t great and was very bobbly so the bounce was very uneven and this seemed to affect both sides.
The best chance of the first half fell to Hemel when Mukendi found some space inside the box, his well driven shot looked to be heading into the bottom corner but a last ditch block by a Cheshunt defender was enough to get the ball clear, it fell back to Mukendi who took a touch and looked to have been tripped, right on the edge of the box but the referee waved away the appeals.
HT 0-0
Hemel had an opportunity early in the second half with a free kick on the edge of the box, the Cheshunt wall did its job and they were able to mount a quick counter attack that ended with a well driven shot by Joe Re that Craig King did superbly to tip over the bar.
The game remained very scrappy but the Ambers fancied their chances of getting all three points as the game wore on. Full back Isaac Pitblado was the next player to bring the best out of King when he struck a poor clearance first time but once again the Hemel goalminder was there to push it over the bar.
With the Tudors struggling to get any forward momentum they conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. Up stepped Ken Charles and he curled the ball over the wall, with pace but Craig King pulled of the save of the match when he got his fingers to the ball, just when it looked destined for the top corner, he tipped it onto the bar and Andrew Eleftheriou was there to clear for a corner.
In the final seconds Hemel could have stolen all three points when a quick break down the right saw the ball find its way to Hinds who saw his first effort blocked but he was able to slide it across the face of the six yard box where Charlee Hughes was waiting, he stuck out his leg but failed to make any contact with the goal gaping and Cheshunt survived the chance.
So, it’s now five games unbeaten for Brad Quintton’s new look Tudors and whilst he would have been happier to pick up another win, it was a hard earned point and another clean sheet despite a below par performance on the day.
Hemel: King; Roberts, Westbrook, O’Connor-Ajayi, Eleftheriou, Williams; Morgan-Griffiths, Brown (Castiglione) Mukendie (Matshazi) Holness (Hughes) Hinds. Subs not used: Young, Lewis.
Attendance: 491
Hemel Man of the Match: Craig King.
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