THIS WEEKEND’S MATCH PREVIEW – CHESHAM UNITED (HOME) KICK-OFF 3.00PM

Attentions turn once again to the Buildbase FA Trophy as the Generals march into Champion Hill on Saturday.

It has been more than a decade and a half since our paths last crossed in competitive action. Then Chesham United were one of the leading lights of the Isthmian League and the trip up through Metroland to the Meadow was one of the highlights of the travelling Hamlet fans’ season. A switch to the Southern League when the pyramid was reorganised in 2002 deprived Dulwich of that day out in the Chilterns. Much water has passed under the bridge since then with the Generals close to collapse until a benevolent local businessman stepped into to preserve football’s long heritage in the town. Strengthened and stabilised Chesham have thrice missed out on promotion to the Conference South in recent years finishing 4th in 2012, 3rd in 2013 and runners-up in 2014. The first two years saw them beaten in the semi-finals of the playoff, first by AFC Totton (2-3) then by Hemel Hempstead Town (0-2) before making the final in 2014. In front of nearly 3000 fans at the Meadow, the Generals faced St Albans City but it was not to be as the visitors claimed an emphatic 3-1 win to deny Chesham making that giant step upwards.

Midtable finishes followed in the next two seasons but last year Chesham United caught the public imagination for the first time since their heroic FA Amateur Cup run of 1967/1968. Then, having entered the competition in the preliminary round, the club battled through 16 matches – six of which were replays – to reach Wembley. Chesham was a town of just 18,000 people but around 20,000 match tickets were sold, making up nearly half of the 54,000 attendance. Unfortunately, the day out was spoiled by Leytonstone, one of the giants of Amateur Football, as Ken Gray scored the only goal of the game. The Generals had the chance to level but Kenny Kent suffered the agony of seeing his penalty kick saved. Memories were revived last season as Chesham United upset the formbook to knock out Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium thanks to Ryan Blake’s matchwinner 11 minutes from time. Unfortunately, a trip to Bradford City proved less successful as the Bantams romped to a 4-0 victory.

Currently siting in 10th spot in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division Chesham United lie 9 points off the last playoff place occupied by Merthyr Town. However somewhat distracted by a second successive run to the FA Cup Proper the Generals have a number of games in hand of their promotion rivals. Their form of late has been consistently strong. Only a narrow FA Cup First Round Proper defeat at Peterborough United and last Tuesday night’s penalty shootout reverse at Barton Rovers in the Southern League Cup interrupt an unbeaten run stretching back to 13th September when Chesham went down to a single goal defeat against Hayes & Yeading at Beaconsfield SYCOB. Incidentally that League Cup exit featured a squad drawn from the reserves due to First Team commitments in the Berks & Bucks Cup away to Aylesbury that same night.

The current season did not start off well as the Generals trip to Stratford-upon-Avon left them with bloody noses and crack'd crowns, defensive errors helping Redditch Town claim a 3-1 win. However, it was to be eight games before they were beaten again. Back-to-back wins at the Meadow saw St Ives Town (2-0) and Dorchester Town (3-0) overcome before road trips to Hitchin Town (1-1) and Dorchester Town (0-0) ended honours even as did the Bank Holiday Saturday visit of Weymouth. The following Monday saw all three points claimed at King’s Langley before the FA Cup trail began again with Saffron Walden Town comprehensively beaten 5-0 at home. The intervening fortnight before the next round proved disappointing as Chesham failed to take any points from the visit of King’s Lynn Town (1-2) and that aforementioned Hayes & Yeading game. The boot was moments away from being on the other foot before ageless striker Barry Hayles scored in stoppage time to salvage a draw away to Sevenoaks Town of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division. The return match at the Meadow proved just as tight with Chesham edging their lower league opponents by the odd goal in three. The narrow win proved the spark to ignite a purple patch for the Generals. Back-to-back home league wins over Cirencester Town (3-0) and Cambridge City (3-1) were followed by further progression in the FA Cup as Staines Town were comfortably dispatched thanks to a brace from Drew Roberts. A fifth home game in succession ended level as Merthyr Town left the Meadow with a point after a 1-1 draw.

Successive cup encounters with Potters Bar Town came next, first in the League Cup where, with both sides resting almost their entire first team squad ahead of their FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round meeting just four days later, Chesham advanced after a 3-2 away win. Back at the Meadow with a place in the FA Cup Proper at stake, the rematch with Potters Bar Town proved far from a classic but the Generals were always in control of the game after Drew Roberts’ early penalty, apart from a brief spell at the end following the dismissal of Adam Martin for a second caution as the visitors threw caution to the wind.

The winning run continued with single goal victories on the road at Cinderford and back at home with Kettering the visitors before the FA Trophy took them to Dulwich’s Ryman Premier rivals Leatherhead. At Fetcham Grove, Chesham seemed to have the game in the bag when Ryan Blake added to Dave Pearce’s first half double to make it 3-1 for the visitors. However, a Tom Bradbrook header with 12 minutes left made for a nervy finish but despite Leatherhead’s late assault the Generals prevailed.

Seven days later and the claret and blue hordes headed for Peterborough hoping the FA Cup could once again weave its magic. The Posh, riding high in League One, took their time to click into gear as Chesham took the game to their opponents. However, five minutes before the break Peterborough made the breakthrough with a stunning effort from Shaquile Coulthirst giving ‘keeper Ashlee Jones no chance. Jones was by far the busier ‘keeper after the break making a string of exceptional saves to prevent the hosts running away with the game before Coulthirst found the net again with 20 minutes left. Though Ryan Blake narrowed the gap with ten minutes remaining but it was not to be for the valiant Generals.

This afternoon’s game takes place at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD, kicking off at 3.00pm. Main turnstiles will be open from 1.15 pm with the Greendale turnstiles open shortly after. Guests and officials are asked to enter via the Health Club reception. A reminder that as this is an FA Trophy fixture Season Tickets are NOT valid.

Admission prices:

• £10 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions
• NB: Concessions cover Seniors - 60+, Teenagers (13-19), Unemployed (JSA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), NHS Staff, Blue Light Services, Serving Members of the Armed Forces and Full Time Students. (Please bring a form of valid ID for your concession as you might not be admitted without that)
• Under 13s FREE accompanied by a paying adult

Programmes: £2