STALEMATE AT CHESHUNT

STALEMATE AT CHESHUNT

CHESHUNT 0 VCD ATHLETIC 0

The Vickers came away from Cheshunt with a point in the bag from a game that it was felt they just shaded, and came close to taking all the three in a strong finish but just could not get over the line. Although failing to score, this was a much more consistent performance throughout in comparison with the last two matches, where they have raced ahead only to be overhauled, and with a recurrence of injuries this was a more than deserved point against a team around the play off places. The game began at a fast pace, going end to end, but things were somewhat rushed and the hosts paid the penalty for this in the early stages when, after breaking quickly they were poor with their choice of final ball, seeing a lot of promising moves break down and making things comfortable for the VCD defence. When a ball dropped loose from a corner, Jason Hallett shot wide from close in, and when shortly after they did find the net they were flagged offside. VCD’s two wide men Kojo Awotwi and Mekhi McLeod were looking dangerous down the flanks and McLeod worked the ball inside before finding Awotwi out wide, from where he played in Ed O’Neill who fired narrowly wide. Further sparring saw little goal mouth action until just before the break the Vickers almost took the lead when Mitch Hahn cushioned a free kick and as the ball dropped he sent a curling shot towards the top corner only to be denied by a fine save from keeper Michael Gooch, who managed to get his fingertips to the ball and turn it over the angle.
Cheshunt pressed from the restart and from a scramble following a corner, Simon Ikwebe sent the ball high over the bar when well placed, then Hallett saw his attempt on goal deflected behind by Farai Hallam. From a corner at the other end, the ball was cleared to Kris Newby out on the flank and his cross was met powerfully by Hallam, but he was unable to keep his header on target. Cheshunt were gradually being pegged back and when they did threaten on the counter VCD skipper Joe Bruce was in commanding form, organising his back line impressively. Bruce sent a long free kick forward which was chased by Mitch Hahn and he tucked the ball back to Harry Harding, making his debut, but his low shot was deflected behind. Then Mekhi McLeod tricked his was past Jordan Spearman before setting up Hahn, only for his shot to be deflected behind. Such was the pressure that a goal looked imminent, and VCD came close in the final minutes when McLeod received a free kick on the left before crossing low into the box, just eluding Connor Hogan, but it was picked up by Kojo Awotwi who sent in a powerful left footer that was cleared off the line, and when he got the ball back a repeat effort suffered the same fate with the hosts managing to keep their goal intact.

VCD Athletic: Freund, Newby, Joseph, O’Neill, Bruce, Hallam, McLeod, Hogan, Hahn (Garcia 75),
Harding (Guy 67), Awotwi

Subs not used: Clark, Duncan, Pearce
Reported by Brian Norris