An excellent all round performance by the Canaries gained them all three points against a below par Chesham United that were not able to threaten the home goal throughout the game.

A solid performance by the back four capped by a goal in each half cemented Barwell’s 9th position in the league and sent the home fans away contented.

Conditions seemed ideal for a closely contested match as the Generals, second before the start looked to challenge for the League title but it was the Canaries who held the upper hand throughout the match.

As early as the fifth minute it was clear that Chesham would struggle to get through the home back line and Rob Oddy, superb throughout the game, made an excellent tackle to dispossess Brad Wadkins as he drove forwards.

In the 6th minute a corner from Danny Talbot was headed goalwards by the colossal Robert Bartley but his header flew over the bar.

Two minutes later, Wadkins tried his luck again but Rikki Bains was composed and took the ball off his feet.

Following an incident involving Scott Hadland and John Kyriacou, Danny Gudgeon and captain Talbot exchanged words with referee Nicholas Hopton but after a stern word or two from the official, order was restored.

After 11 minutes a good combination between Jamie Towers and Kev Charley led to a volley from 12 yards by Charley which drew a good save from Shane Gore of Chesham.

With 18 minutes played, Barwell demonstrated their determination as a loose ball seemingly heading for a goal kick was chased down by Nigel Julien who forced Shane Gore to play the ball into touch.

From the resulting throw, Tom Weale crossed and Jamie Towers headed the ball over Gore from six yards and into the left side of the net to give Barwell the lead on 19 minutes.

After 25 minutes with both sides defending stoutly, Tom Weale was able to create a shooting chance for himself but his effort ended two yards past the right post.

With 36 minutes played Chesham were resorting to long range efforts as James Potton found Steve Wales who shot from 18 yards but his drive went flying past the right post.

Chesham continued to press and two minutes later Danny Talbot curled a shot from just outside the bar but it took a deflection and went out for the corner with Liam Castle at full stretch. Three corners later and Barwell were able to play the ball away to end the pressure situation.

A minute before half time Wales was almost in a one on one situation with Castle but for an excellent interception by Rob Oddy that dispelled the danger.

As the game went into stoppage time a ball floated into the Barwell box was heading for Wadkins but Liam Castle was alert to the danger and dived at the attacker’s feet.

Barwell had a deserved lead at the break as they had the better of the chances and their defending shut out the visitors completely.

After 50 minutes James Potton broke down the left for Chesham but Rob Oddy was well placed and forced the visiting winger to concede the goal kick.

Three minutes later Potton again drove towards the box, cut in from the left and shot but he could not find the target and shot wide.

After 58 minutes Jai Stanley was fouled just inside the Chesham half. He took the free kick himself and won a corner as the ball deflected off Bartley out to the right of the goal. Stanley took the corner and as the defence followed Scott Hadland on the six yard line, the ball curled in directly from the corner to give Barwell a two goal lead.

Chesham tried to respond and after 61 minutes, Steve Wales fed Brad Wadkins who attempted a shot from just inside the box. However, once again Rob Oddy was extremely well placed and blocked the Chesham forward with a diving stop.

Oddy was again in the thick of the action two minutes later as Mason Rowley was unable to control a spinning ball leading to an attempt by Potton but the Barwell right back again threw himself into the tackle and came away with the ball.

After 65 minutes Wales put in a dangerous ball across the six yard line for Wadkins to poke in but Oddy was once again in the right place and cleared the ball from danger.

Chesham substitute Chris Watters had a chance to cross for Robert Bartley soon after but Guy Sanders read the situation and headed the ball to safety.

Five minutes later another excellent interception from Oddy dispelled another situation leading to a Barwell attack. Scott Hadland picked up the ball and squared for Tom Weale. He, in turn, fed Nigel Julien who lashed out a left footed shot that bulged the side netting with a portion of the crowd celebrating what they thought was a third goal.

After 75 minutes, substitute Leon Archer, who was impressive in the reverse fixture, tried to turn Rikki Bains just outside the box but the Barwell defender was alert to the move and ended with the ball at his feet and able to clear.

Three minutes later Gudgeon found himself on the edge of the penalty area but his volley flew yards over the bar as Chesham resorted to shooting from distance in an attempt to reduce the deficit.

Five minutes from the end a loose pass back put Gore in trouble as Tom Weale was bearing down on the ball. Gore came out of his box and slid into a tackle that put the ball into touch under pressure.

In a last ditch effort, Chesham midfielder Scott Thomas tried to cross the ball fro the right but a well placed Guy Sanders was not troubled as he headed to ball into midfield as the game came to its end.

Barwell were able to shut out a very dangerous Chesham side with a committed and organised performance by all participants in yellow jerseys.
The back five were excellent and well supported by the midfield and on the occasions that they came forward, the home side threatened with passion.
However, one player stood out with countless interceptions and telling crosses. Rob Oddy was awarded the Man of the Match by match sponsor Kevin Brown of Woods Coaches.

Team: Liam Castle, Rob Oddy, Guy Sanders, Rikki Bains (Pete Saunders 80), Mason Rowley, Jai Stanley (Danny Scheppel 85), Jamie Towers, Scott Hadland, Tom Weale, Kev Charley (Matt West 83), Nigel Julien.

Subs not used: Scott Lower, Chris Anastasi.

Goals: Towers 19 (assist Weale), Stanley 59.

Attendance: 139

Man of the Match: Rob Oddy.