Brakes dent Chesham’s perfect home record

Brakes ended a tough week of fixtures by leaving a blot on Chesham United’s previously unblemished home record, with Jacob Blyth’s 62nd-minute leveller earning a well- deserved share of the spoils, writes Paul Edwards.

The hosts started the game brightly but were almost rocked back on their heels when David Kolodynski tried his luck from distance and clattered the crossbar.

Lee Evans saved a deflected shot before the Generals took the lead just past the half-hour mark.

The goal owed much to a free-kick which was awarded against James Mace, who was shown a yellow card for good measure despite appearing to win the ball cleanly.

Jamie Hood then looked to be cautioned by the referee as Brakes conceded a corner, from which, Richard Batchelor got the last touch for an unfortunate own goal.

Mace was getting into good positions on the right and was played into space with Leamington looking threatening, but chose to try and pick out a team-mate on the edge of the penalty area when he had three to aim at inside the six-yard box.

The next attack very nearly produced an equaliser as Batchelor’s dangerous cross looked to be falling on to the head of James Husband in front of goal, only for Shane Gore to palm it away.

The goalkeeper pushed another cross from Mace behind and Batchelor headed just over the bar from the corner.

At the other end, Evans easily fielded a low shot from Simon Thomas.

Paul Holleran was forced into an unscheduled change as half-time loomed, with Craig Owen replacing the injured Stephan Morley.

James Potton fired a powerful drive inches over as Chesham looked to extend their advantage after the interval, while Steve Wales exploited space on the left to drive wide of Lee Evans, only for Hood to clear off the line.

Brakes began to apply some pressure of their own and were rewarded with a 62nd-minute equaliser.

Kolodynski found Batchelor in the box and the midfielder beat a defender and clipped a cross in for Blyth to power a header inside the near post.

The home side believed they had regained the advantage immediately, but their celebrations were cut short by a raised flag.

Leamington then set about trying to add a second goal of their own.

Kolodynski played an inviting ball across goal which was put behind and Mark Lambert headed Hood’s powerful header away from the goal-line from the resulting corner.

Evans got down well to save another drive towards his near post while opposite number Gore was forced to push away another cross that threatened to creep inside the post. He also saved a low drive from Batchelor before his team-mates made a late push for their eighth successive home league win of the campaign.

John Kyriacou saw his effort saved by Evans before he drove the ball across the Leamington goalmouth, where it was put behind. The corner was then cleared from the danger area as Brakes stood firm.

Chesham United: Shane Gore, John Kyriacou, Anthony Watson, Mark Lambert, Robert Bartley, Danny Talbot , Dave Fotheringham, Steve Wales, Leon Archer (Brad Wadkins, 80), Simon Thomas, James Potton. Subs not used: Scott Thomas, Danny Gudgeon, Chris Watters

Brakes: Lee Evans, James Mace, Stephan Morley (Craig Owen, 45), Lee Downes, Jamie Hood, Asa Charlton, Michael Tuohy, James Husband (Alex Taylor, 72), Jacob Blyth, David Kolodynski (Tom Berwick, 80), Richard Batchelor. Subs not used: Sam Adkins, Jamie Sheldon.