The games come thick and fast at this level. We had barely got over the nervous tension and excitement from Saturday before Tuesday was upon us and playoff night was here. I was heading back to my old training area (when I was a more serious runner) of Chesham, to watch the home team take on Stourbridge. Only 10 days previously the Glassboys had come to the Meadow, left with a 1-0 victory, and ended Chesham's title hopes. You sensed that the locals wanted revenge.
After meeting up with an old Baggie friend in the town, we bumped into some fellow travelling supporters and learned that the kick off had been put back by 15 minutes due to traffic congestion. You would like to think that it was down to the hordes of Midlanders heading down the M40 but, in reality, Chesham is a commuter town and today the Tube drivers were striking so more people had driven to London and back.
Upon entering the ground it was clear that a fair few had made the trip from the Black Country. A group of around 120 or so were behind one goal and there were a few other scatterings of red and white around the ground.
Stourbridge started the game well enough and, for the first 20 minutes, were definitely edging it. On 21 minutes, Kayleden Brown turned sharply and hit a shot from the edge of the box which beat the home keeper to make it 0-1. The Glassboys were value for their lead at this point. However, that is as good as it got.
To their credit, going a goal down, sparked Chesham into life somewhat and 10 minutes later they got their reward. Some sloppy Stourbridge defending lead to Dean Coleman misjudging a through ball allowing top scorer Drew Roberts to slip the ball home from close range. Now it was Stourbridge who were under some pressure and holding on for the half time whistle. At 1-1, it was time for both sides to re-group for the second half.
Chesham began the second half as they finished the first, on the front foot. Stourbridge were really struggling to gain a foothold on the game. Chesham were bossing the game and looking the more likely to score again.
Sure enough, on 63 minutes, a deep cross from the left, some hesitant away defending, a nod back across the goal and Chris Dillon forced the ball over the line from close range.
From that point onwards Stourbridge huffed and puffed but never really looked likely to pull it back. Chesham, marshalled at the back by experienced Darren Purse, kept it tight and could even have scored again themselves.
In the end it was a fairly comfortable and well deserved victory for the home team. They will now face either Cambridge City or St Albans City at the Meadow to decide who goes up with Hemel.
For Stourbridge it is a second season of playoff heartbreak but I am sure they will be back for another crack at promotion next season.
Chesham United - @cheshamutdfc, @cheshamutd_live
Stourbridge - @sfcofficial
After meeting up with an old Baggie friend in the town, we bumped into some fellow travelling supporters and learned that the kick off had been put back by 15 minutes due to traffic congestion. You would like to think that it was down to the hordes of Midlanders heading down the M40 but, in reality, Chesham is a commuter town and today the Tube drivers were striking so more people had driven to London and back.
Upon entering the ground it was clear that a fair few had made the trip from the Black Country. A group of around 120 or so were behind one goal and there were a few other scatterings of red and white around the ground.
Stourbridge started the game well enough and, for the first 20 minutes, were definitely edging it. On 21 minutes, Kayleden Brown turned sharply and hit a shot from the edge of the box which beat the home keeper to make it 0-1. The Glassboys were value for their lead at this point. However, that is as good as it got.
To their credit, going a goal down, sparked Chesham into life somewhat and 10 minutes later they got their reward. Some sloppy Stourbridge defending lead to Dean Coleman misjudging a through ball allowing top scorer Drew Roberts to slip the ball home from close range. Now it was Stourbridge who were under some pressure and holding on for the half time whistle. At 1-1, it was time for both sides to re-group for the second half.
Chesham began the second half as they finished the first, on the front foot. Stourbridge were really struggling to gain a foothold on the game. Chesham were bossing the game and looking the more likely to score again.
Sure enough, on 63 minutes, a deep cross from the left, some hesitant away defending, a nod back across the goal and Chris Dillon forced the ball over the line from close range.
From that point onwards Stourbridge huffed and puffed but never really looked likely to pull it back. Chesham, marshalled at the back by experienced Darren Purse, kept it tight and could even have scored again themselves.
In the end it was a fairly comfortable and well deserved victory for the home team. They will now face either Cambridge City or St Albans City at the Meadow to decide who goes up with Hemel.
For Stourbridge it is a second season of playoff heartbreak but I am sure they will be back for another crack at promotion next season.
Chesham United - @cheshamutdfc, @cheshamutd_live
Stourbridge - @sfcofficial
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