Bowers & Pitsea 1.      –       Cheshunt 1

OG 7mins                             Jack Thomas 13 mins    

Manager Craig Edwards made just one change from the win over Bognor Regis on the opening day, Raul Da Silva replaced Taylor Miles which meant Darion Furlong moved out to right back. The Ambers started positively as Dernell Wynter had a shot blocked after a cross from Orafu. However, they were made to pay for their missed chance seven minutes as Sami Nabbad scored an unfortunate own goal after a scramble in the box from a corner.

Both sides continued to look quite dangerous early on, Darion Furlong headed over for the Ambers after a Mvemba long throw and a flick on from fellow centre back Raul Da Silva. Cheshunt equalised six minutes after going behind, Jack Thomas picked the ball up just inside the box, he played a lovely one two with Orafu, which positioned him for a strike right in front of goal. He rifled his effort tight into the top corner past a helpless Rhys Byrne.

The next big chance fell to Bowers, Brandon Aveiro cut in dangerously from the left on his right foot but his shot went just past the far post thankfully for keeper Nabbad. There were plenty of long throws throughout the first half for the Ambers which Bowers were struggling to deal with at times, but they held firm and went into the break level.

HT; Bowers & Pitsea 1-1 Cheshunt

Unsurprisingly, the first chance of the half came from a Furlong throw. The ball got all the way through to Wynter at the back post, but he couldn’t quite sort his feet out in time to get a clean shot away, and it was cleared. Gordon went close for the hosts, his free kick deflected off the wall and looked like it was headed for the top left corner, however, Sami Nabbad scrambled across his goal to tip the ball wide to keep it level. Bowers had another opportunity as Chambers rose highest from the resulting corner but couldn’t direct it towards goal.

Jeremy Bisau replaced MJ Muyembe, highlighting the manager’s intentions to win the match. He made an almost instant impact as his cross found Granville in the centre of the box, it was a difficult chance for the midfielder, he managed to get a shot on target but it was saved comfortably.

The Ambers had their biggest opportunity of the second half with just under twenty minutes to go. Kai Brown found space out on the left and drifted in, his strike was blocked by the defender which directed the ball on target. The Bowers keeper was forced to react quickly down to his right to keep the scoreline level.  Cheshunt went agonisingly close with ten minutes left on the clock, Bisau found Brown again at the back post. He beat his defender by dropping his shoulder, which left him an open strike at goal, but he somehow pulled it just wide of the near post. The Ambers defenders linked up for a chance in additional time, Furlongs flick on at the front post found Curran in the box, but he couldn’t get enough power on the header to trouble the goalkeeper.

There was seven minutes added on at the end, but there weren’t any chances of note. The draw was probably a fair result, it got Bowers off the mark and places Cheshunt fifth in the table.

Photographs © Amy Eve Photography, a full gallery available here