Chess Lesson

Chess Lesson

This season was always going be about consolidation, rather than promotion and today we learned more about this League Game than we have from the first few matches.

The Buckinghamshire side won the tactical battle in the first half , with the away side adopting ' the stonewall defence' and by being held and shoulders to a man , above us in height and professionalism.

Chesham's location in close proximity to London, means are always likely to attract lots of talent from the Capital and the experience and organisation of this side was there for all to see.

In the first half, they closed down our strike force, gave us very little time on the ball and forced us to back pedal more than a Penny Farthing bicycle with no brakes.

In a lacklustre performance , with our lack of drive at the top of the midfield diamond, was apparent for all to see, as the 'Generals' were 'generally' much better than the Home Side with a greater physicality and organisation.

They bounced one off the bar and then took the lead from a corner, following a bit of indecisiveness from our keeper.

On an attacking front, there was precious little on offer to wrinkle the nose of their keeper or even his tights.

With a 4-3-3 formation and Kayne forced out onto the left flank- primarily due to our glut of midfield injuries - we lacked more penetration than Peter Dinklage's Honeymoon.

At the back, Jarrad Wright was having a stormer- blocking, tackling and heading everything clear.

He really is Mr Versatile- and I feel centre half is his best position- without doubt.

He was the Man of the Match for me.

Halftime came and went with the Merthyr players trooping back onto the field with their heads bowed - a strange look in the circumstances.

The Chess started the second half, as they ended the first - on the front foot getting behind our 'pawns' and threatening to 'check' King Bradley in goal.

And yet it was a goalmouth scramble which brought Merthyr level with the Prossiah slamming into the net his only real chance of the Match.

Jenks & Co decided to change the formation, and brought on our homegrown talent in the shape of Kerry Morgan.

He injected not only enthusiasm but also energy to the game and his introduction certainly created more space and urgency to the Home Side.

Merthyr were on top for the next 15 minutes or so but once again look less likely to score than a Stag trip to a North Pole convent.

Chesham regrouped and won a few corners with their towering defenders and attackers - particularly their 10 (who looked like a cross between Dean Ashton and Vinnie Jones - Dean Jones?-) lurking threateningly over the airspace in the Merthyr box - like the Bovingdon stack waiting for Heathrow clearance to land - invariably, it was the Ground Crew of Baggridge Handler and the omnipotent Jarrad Wright who sent the ball back skyward and out of danger.

Our ineffective midfield too, played us into trouble by trying to play football in our half , which last season would have been fine but at this much higher level , it led to the Chessmen robbing us and threatening 'mate' with each successive attack.

Chesham renowned for its four b's - boots, beer, brushes and baptists- now have a further b to add to them.

That of the former Fulham Favourite - Barry Hayles.

I dare say Jenks added a few more b's to his vocabulary too, as the Londoner snatched a late winner, after being allowed the freedom of the Merthyr Penalty area, following a short game of 'Wiff-Waff' - as the ball pinged around a few times , until dropping to the Ex-Premiership Heavyweight who doesn't miss from that sort of distance.

He may have lost more than a yard of speed but Hayles still has the killer instinct of a London Gangster ( Hayles n Pace?) and is still a born match winner.

Try as they might, Merthyr rallied but the Grand Master Chesham Management had already plotted 'the end game'.

They closed it out without too much trouble.

Today's referee was poor once more but at least he didn't cost us the game , unlike that one on Monday - but we have to face facts - we lost to a taller, better organised, more experienced Buckinghamshire outfit, with a bit more money invested in the side by a private individual and just about deserved the three points.

On a different day, with a fully fit squad to choose from,then the result would have been different- but as long as we learn from the experience then fine.

That's what progress through stability means.

Big Bucks talk ....but on today's showing they can play football too.

Boz