- McLean (9')
Cheshunt FC were pleased to host both the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Isthmian League Mr Nick Robinson & Mr Craig Johnson at this important match, and they presented Cheshunt chairman Dean Williamson with the Isthmian League Membership Plaque on the pitch pre match
It was a night of celebration at Theobalds Lane as Cheshunt made it one step closer to safety after a massive 1-0 win over promotion pushing Horsham. A great night for Ambers fans to wrap up their home campaign after a tough season.
Craig Edwards made three changes as Finlay Titchmarsh and Chevron McLean returned to the defence and Sami Nabbad returned in between the sticks.
Cheshunt started very positively, a long throw found its way to Nnamdi Nwachuku at the front post but he couldn’t direct his header past Lewis Carey.
It was a brilliant return to the team for Chevron as he gave the Ambers the lead after just nine minutes. Cheshunt defender Sam Kuffour won the ball back at the back, the ball was played quickly up the left side to Chevron McLean, one touch & pass, he played a one two with Jamie Reynolds who set him racing clear on the left wing. The left back whipped the ball into the box, and his swerving cross beat the keeper and went straight into the back of the net at the far post.
After the goal, the game became a lot more end to end. Horsham went close after 16 minutes as a ball in from Lee Harding on the right was cleared away from the danger zone by Finlay Titchmarsh. The next big opportunity fell for the Ambers, and it was for striker Nnamdi Nwachuku. Nathaniel Orafu passed a ball in from the left towards Nnamdi. He couldn’t quite get a good contact on his effort, The Ambers were attacking again moments later as Enock Ekongo fired a shot on the run just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
While the visitors had the majority of the ball for the rest of the first half, it was Cheshunt that continually looked the most dangerous. Just before half time, Nnamdi Nwachuku broke down the left just before the break, he cut in on his right but couldn’t quite bend it on target.
HT: Cheshunt 1-0 Horsham
Moments into the second half, Cheshunt had massive appeals for a penalty. Sam Granville’s cross appeared to hit the arm of Danny Barker but the referee waved it away despite appeals from the players and fans behind the Horsham goal.
Samuel Kuffour then rose highest to a Taylor Miles corner but headed just over the bar. The Darion Furlong long throws caused problems all night, this time deflecting off a Horsham player and going out for a corner.
The Ambers then missed a massive chance to make it two nil. After some great work from Orafu, he picked out Nwachuku in the middle who knocked it down for Sam Granville. The busy midfielder tried to hit it first time but just misjudged it and it went over the bar, minutes later, Taylor Miles almost found Nnamdi in the box from a corner but he couldn’t get his head on it. The hard working number 9 went close again as an effort from inside the penalty area was blocked.
Horsham huffed & puffed , but failed to break down the home defence, frustrations getting the better of full back Lee Harding as he picked up a yellow for dissent, then couldn’t keep his opinions on that to himself & got another to make red & see him suspended from the play offs should Horsham make it. Ambers fans started to celebrate knowing the three points were coming their way as with just seconds to go, they were elated as fans favourite Sami Nabbad made an excellent save from a late Jack Mazzone strike.
Six minutes were added on by the referee, but Craig Edwards’ side managed to cling on to all but confirm our survival in the Isthmian Premier Division as the Ambers have a much superior goal difference over Margate.
The result leaves an exciting last day of the season for Horsham as Wingate & Finchley, Horsham & Billericay all battle for the two places left in the play off places. Wingate & Horsham are in pole position, three points clear of Billericay, but if either slip up & Billericay beat Margate, then the Essex side have the better goal difference & could steal a spot at the last moment.
FT: Cheshunt 1-0 Horsham
