South 15th October 2022 Vanarama National League Match report by Allan Mitchell Cheshunt gained a much needed victory in a dour Herts Derby at Vauxhall Road. The Tudors came into the fixture unbeaten in five matches whilst Cheshunt were on a ten game losing streak. It looked odds on that it would be a home win but football isn’t like that and despite much huffing and puffing, Hemel just couldn’t break down the Ambers resistance and were dealt the almost inevitable sucker punch when the visitors took a late lead and despite some late pressure, they held on to take the points.
Hemel just edged the first period with Cheshunt keeper Joe Rose making several good saves, but the Ambers also had chances themselves, but their finishing let them down. Chris Harris was the first to miss one of these opportunities after 10 minutes when he put his header wide of the post.
They had an even better chance a couple of minutes later when Brandon Adams was put clean through on goal but he miss hit his shot and Craig King was able to save easily. Up the other end, Ogo Obi found himself clear on the left on 30 mins and he fired a powerful effort in on goal but Rose did superbly well to tip it past the post.
Obi saw the keeper make another superb save minutes later and Dara Dada curled a shot agonisingly wide of the post just before the break. Hemel looked to have stayed in the dressing room at the start of the second period and Cheshunt should really have gone in front almost straight from the kick off when Harris went clean through, he looked to have time to pick his spot but his shot lacked power and King blocked it after closing down the angle well.
Hemel boss Mark Jones admitted after the game that The Ambers never really looked in any trouble throughout the second period apart from a couple of chances and that disappointed him but he gave credit to the defending that kept his side at bay.
Hemel’s best chance of the half came when a Jernade Meade cross found Jordan Greenidge in space just six yards out but he could only direct his header straight at Rose who saved easily. Kory Roberts had the ball in the net just after hour mark but the assistant had his flag up for what looked like a tight offside call and Brooklyn Ilunga took a tumble in the box after a clumsy challenge but the referee waved away the appeals for a penalty.
It looked odds on as though the game was heading for a 0-0 and Cheshunt were looking quite happy to come away with a point but with 10 minutes left they forced a corner that was met at the back post by a Tudors defender who could only head it back across the face of goal where two Cheshunt players were waiting unmarked, Chris Harris just got in front of ex Tudor Rowan Libard and he headed home to give his side the lead.
Hemel never really looked like getting anything out of the game after this as the Visitors packed their defence and they saw the game out relatively comfortably. All in all a very frustrating afternoon for the Tudors faithful and the end of a decent unbeaten run. Hemel: King : Barker, Meade, Westbrook, Roberts; Poku (Brown 80) Dada (Castiglione 72) Morgan-Griffiths; Greenidge, Obi (Holness 65) Subs not used: Lelan, O’Conn Attendance 579
Tudors Man of the Match: Dara Dada.
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