Photo © Amy Eve Photography

Craig Edwards started a strong side this time out after fielding a team mainly consisting of trialists against Hertford on Tuesday. Kai Brown, Dernell Wynter, Sam Granville and Nathaniel Orafu formed an exciting forward quartet. Taylor Miles also started at right back, an unfamiliar position for the midfielder.

Aveley took the lead just three minutes in, a corner from the right went all the way through to the back post to Luke Allen who fired into the bottom left corner past Sami Nabbad, who had no chance of keeping it out.

The Ambers equalised after 14 minutes, under some very strange circumstances. After a long ball over the top from defence, Aveley goalkeeper Carey Blaedorn came to collect. However, he misjudged distances &  handled the ball well outside of his box denying a clear opportunity for the Ambers to equalise. The referee didn’t give what was an obvious red card as it was a pre season match, consulting both managers for agreement with his decision, made on the basis both managers wanted to get maximum benefit from the match, as a result Aveley players allowed the Ambers score in return. Taylor Miles stepped up to take the resulting freekick and placed it past Blaedorn.

Ten minutes later, Aveley were lucky to escape another red card. Right back Jason Ring put a very tough challenge in on Sam Mvemba. The players and fans in the stand were calling for a red, but the referee stuck to his guns and gave a yellow.

Cheshunt were really growing into the game at this point and were dominating possession. A good move involving Granville, Wynter and Brown led to a Muyembe strike over the crossbar. Aveley were the next to go close, left back Josh Hallard got the better of Taylor Miles out wide, he made his way towards goal, but he dragged his shot across the face of goal.

Last year’s player of the year Nathaniel Orafu really started to impress towards the end of the second half, driving the Ambers up the pitch on multiple occasions and getting the team out of some very tight spaces. He picked the ball up in midfield and drove forward with just over five minutes to go, but his effort was blocked. Just before the break, Sam Mvemba’s cross from the left found Jack Thomas at the back post, the midfielder got his effort on target, but it was comfortably saved by the keeper.

HT: Cheshunt 1-1 Aveley.

The Ambers started the second half on top, just as the first half ended. The first opportunity came from a Darion Furlong long throw. His rocket caused havoc in the Aveley penalty area, it was deflected off of Ikechi Eze and forced the keeper into a fine save down to his left. Furlong went close himself just minutes later, Wynter’s brilliant corner from the right was headed just over by the central defender.

There was a minute of madness on the hour mark with chances at both ends. Dernell Wynter latched onto a brilliant ball over the top from defence, however, he couldn’t quite find a finish. At the other end, Luke Allen’s audaciously chipped effort clipped the crossbar, a very lucky escape for Cheshunt.

Photo © Amy Eve Photography

The next twenty minutes were very quiet, but the Ambers made a lot of changes. Jeremy Bisau, Matt Walsh, Deivi Kreka and Lordan Akolbire all came on.

Kreka had an instant impact, his long throw caused panic in the Aveley defence. It found its way to Jack Thomas, but his effort was blocked. Four minutes later, Jeremy Bisau had a long-range effort saved by the keeper after a pass from Granville.

Bisau really impressed when he came on, the right winger returned the favour to Granville with a minute to go. The midfielder received the ball in the box, right in front of the keeper but he couldn’t quite find the back of the net.

FT: Cheshunt 1-1 Aveley.

Despite not managing to find the win, this was a very convincing performance from Craig Edwards’s side against a National League outfit. Apart from a shaky opening few minutes where Aveley took the lead, the Ambers were very comfortable throughout. Looking tidy in possession and strong at the back, Cheshunt fans have reason to be excited.

Photos by Amy Eve photography ©   Check out the full gallery here

The Ambers have their final test of pre-season on Monday night as we face Leyton Orient U21’s at Theobalds Lane. You can buy tickets for the match here: https://cheshuntfc.ktckts.com/event/chnpsf2402/cheshunt-vs-leyton-orient-u21s