Staines Lammas found themselves on the end of a very undeserved defeat away to Chesham United in the FA Cup, Lammas who play in a league three steps below there rivals match them for 90 minutes and could of so easily been rewarded with a replay with a bit of luck.
The game started at a frantic pace and the boys were finding it hard to get into the game and were panicking on the ball, in the first ten minutes the Lammas found them selves 1-0 down when Ben Whatford unfortunately sliced the ball into the top corner beyond the stranded Dan Cox.
It was now that we was going to see what the boys were made of, will they crumble or Roll up there sleeves and thankfully it was the latter, Shane Rideout and Jamie O Connor were growing with confidence down the wings and slowly we started to get back into the game, Dean Greenwood and Chris Bullen worked tirelessly in the centre of midfield and were contributing to a very good game, unfortunately Chesham had other ideas and after 30 minutes they went 2-0 up with a fantastic finish from 18 yards.
Again the Lammas rolled up there sleeves and started to get through the Chesham defence, Rideout, O Connor, James all had chances and when Gary James was put through he rounded the keeper or so he thought only for the keeper to take down James and Lammas were awarded a penalty, James brushed himself down and sent the keeper the wrong way to put Lammas back in the game. Lammas continued to pressure the Chesham defence and if it wasn't for a couple of cracking saves to deny the Lammas an equaliser. However we were playing a side who were from three leagues above us and when there next opportunity arose they finished it with absolute execution, I must say that it's the best finish I have seen this season, so unfortunately we were trailing at half time 3-1 but still feeling that we could bring us back from the dead, in the changing room at half time the players were told to keep believing in themselves, keep doing the right things and to keep playing the football that they had played in the first half.
Nathan, Steve and Phil all knew that the first 5 minutes were going to be crucial and our boys never let us down, Jamie Redrup played the best I've ever seen him play, captain Ben Whatford rallied the troops, Steve Wilmore produced yet another massive performance, whilst Adam Ridley grew into his role of left back and kept the Chesham Right winger quiet, Matt Baxter done everything Correct, he battled, he worked and looked after the ball and brought others onto play, O 'Connor and Rideout continued to create chances and worked tirelessly when they did not have the ball, Goal Keeper Dan Cox was told before the game by coach Phil Ellery exactly how high be rated him and he never let him down as Cox pulled off three outstanding worldys to keep frustrating the quality opposition, with 15 minutes to go Kammas got there rewards as Matt Baxter broke free and slotted home with a precision finish to put the pressure on Chesham.
Nathan decided to start making changes, he brought on Matt Brunt for the fantastic Dean Greenwood, George Baldock for the very impressive Gary James and Nick Hardy replaced the awesome Chris Bullen, Nick worked very hard and nearly got the break we were looking for but to no avail, all the subs that came on were fantastic and a word for two subs that did not get on, Jamie Lee Smithers and Ben Jacob who urged in there team mates to the very last whistle of the game.
So the game ended in a 3-2 defeat, but there were no losers in my eyes from the Lammas and a performance that all involved should be very proud of.
Manager Nathan Wharf was proud and delighted with the performance and said days like today makes it all worth while, as did Club Chairman Bob Carter.
We would also like to thank the fans that travelled to the game to cheer us on, I hope you all enjoyed the day as much as us.
Man of the match. Everybody at the Lammas!
Helmet. Ray Randal.
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