Cheshunt more than earned a massive three points against Concord Rangers on Saturday afternoon. Early goals from Nathaniel Orafu and Nnamdi Nwachuku helped fire the Ambers five points clear of the relegation zone.

Craig Edwards named an unchanged starting XI from the team that lost to Haringey Borough at the weekend, but also defeated Concord just over a week ago. The only change was new signing from Arsenal, U18 goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo, brother of Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur, named on the bench.

The first big chance of the match fell to Cheshunt’s Nnamdi Nwachuku whose strike from the right side of the box was well saved by Mason Terry. The ball then fell to Nathaniel Orafu, but his effort went just wide of the post.

Orafu put it right just moments later. A ball in from the right from Finlay Titchmarsh found Orafu on the edge of the penalty area. He got in front of the defender  and hit a first time volley into the bottom corner.

The creator of the first goal went close himself after a short corner routine. Taylor Miles played it short to Sam Granville who found Titchmarsh running onto it just outside the box. He kept his shot down well and found the target, but Mason Terry was equal to it.

A wondergoal from Nnamdi Nwachuku put the Ambers two goals up. The forward picked up the ball on the left wing and shaped to cross to the far post on his right foot. However, he ball curled perfectly over the Concord goalkeeper found the inside of the side netting. Nwachuku went close to adding to his tally after a ball from Taylor Miles from the right found him in the box, the Ambers forward  rose the highest, but his header couldn’t quite find the target.

With just under ten minutes of the first half to go, the Beach Boys had their first spell of pressure, Peter Mokwenye was causing problems in defence for Cheshunt. Corners from both sides in succession found the midfielder at the back post but he was unable to take advantage.

HT: 2-0

Harrison Day got one back for the visitors just a minute into the second half after an early lack of concentration in the Ambers defence. A low ball across the box from the left found Day in front of goal for a simple tap in.

Cheshunt almost responded within five minutes. Finlay Titchmarsh’s first time ball through to Orafu after picking it up in midfield was inch perfect. Orafu took it in his stride and had a shot from close range, but it was saved by the impressive Terry and put out for a corner. Cheshunt went close again through Jamie Reynolds this time. Keeper Mason Terry was forced into action after a testing cross in from Chevron McLean. The ball fell out to Reynolds on the edge of the box whose powerful strike forced another great save out of the West Ham loanee.

Samuel Kuffour went very close after a great corner in from Taylor Miles. The big number six couldn’t quite get enough power on it to direct it into the net, so it went just wide of the post. Minutes later, a header from the smallest man on the pitch, Vas Vasiliou went just over after a cross from the left.

The Ambers had their biggest chance of the half with 20 minutes to go. Vas Vasiliou did very well out on the right and played a great ball across the face of goal. Granville picked it up after arriving late in the box and had a shot. His shot from point blank range was blocked by the covering Concord defender, stopping a certain goal.

Enock Ekongo found himself in on goal five minutes after coming on after a swift Cheshunt counterattack. He worked space for the shot well, but he couldn’t find the target and it flew just over the bar.

Concord Rangers tried to push for an equaliser, but Cheshunt were resolute and held out for a massive win.

FT: Cheshunt 2-1 Concord Rangers

Cheshunt FC were pleased to see so many families at the match, and especially the children from Brooklands School where defender Billy Bates had visited during the week to speak at a school assembly.