EGHAM TOWN 1 CHALFONT ST PETER 0

EVO-STIK SOUTHERN ONE CENTRAL
SATURDAY 24.10.15
EGHAM TOWN 1 (0) CHALFONT ST PETER 0 (0)
Egham Town scorer: Brendan Matthew (78)

Egham put in a hardworking, solid, honest and ultimately successful performance against a Chalfont St Peter side who, like their hosts, had 24 points from 12 games. Only goal difference and AFC Rushden & Diamonds separated them. Only rarely do games between these two sides offer anything more than tight, well-fought encounters and this was no exception.
It took until the 17th minute before a noteworthy chance was created, Brendan Matthew beating the defenders for speed and winning a corner from which Reece Yorke thumped in a header. Saints did not clear their line, Egham skipper Kurtney Brooks whipped a cross in and Mitchell Gutteridge was denied the opener when visiting keeper Michael Power-Simpson saved. In Matthew for the Sarnies and Tony Mendy for Chalfont this match had two of the campaign’s early contenders for top marksman to keep defences occupied, and on the half hour Mendy stretched keeper Jamie Norris with a dangerous header. Ten minutes later another Mendy header clipped the outside of the left post but Egham had the first half’s last chance with Power-Simpson blocking a shot Matthew was able to fire in off Chris Henry’s pass.
After the break the game remained as tight as ever, both sides seemingly aware that this looked like a one goal game. Just before the hour Craig Carby, not for the first time, fouled Callum Webb and from Gutteridge’s free kick Yorke’s header was cleared to Matthew, whose cross shot was also hacked away. Bajram Pashaj was off target with two free kicks as Egham began, just, to have something akin to the upper hand. Jerome Ecclestone and Pashaj worked well for the next chance with a one-two from which Ecclestone’s shot forced Power-Simpson to drop to his left and turn the ball out for a corner. The visitors cleared the flag kick but Egham’s midfield won the ball back, Gutteridge advanced down the left and found Matthew with a square pass and the Egham marksman took full advantage with an imperious sweep of his left boot. The ball thudded into the Saints’ net, Egham went a little mad and then regained their composure to defend what they had spent so long trying to get. There was particular pleasure from seeing Gutteridge with the assist as the classy left back was playing his last game for a while. He had gone off early at Beaconsfield SYCOB with a recurring problem in his right shoulder and has played through the pain ever since. On Wednesday he goes under the knife and he could be out of action until February. Gary Meakin has signed experienced defender Dominic Rhone from Burnham in his stead.
With four minutes left Gutteridge and his fellow defenders had to be at their best with two chances falling to Mendy. Henry went off so Tarome Hemmings could add some cover in midfield then there was a half a chance for a Sarnie second when, after Matthew and Power-Simpson went for the ball and after Remmel Clarke cleared Jake Cass tried his luck from 45 yards. Right at the death Mendy and Alex Paine forced Norris to pull off a brace of important saves that secured the three points and took Egham to the top of the table.
On Wednesday Egham travel to Petersfield Town, their first journey to the Hampshire club since 2000-2001 season, when they were called Petersfield United. Their 6-2 away win at Aylesbury United took them to 16th place. On Saturday Egham face Southern Premier side Frome Town in the FA Trophy First Qualifying Round.
EGHAM TOWN: Jamie Norris, Jerome Ecclestone, Mitchell Gutteridge, Reece Yorke, Luke Neville, Kurtney Brooks (Captain), Callum Webb, Jake Cass, Brendan Matthew, Bajram Pashaj, Chris Henry. Substitutes: Mason Yorke, Ollie Jones, Tarome Hemmings (Henry, 86), Dean McDonnell, Danny Bassett.