Walk this way It was back to some league action after the weekend's FA Cup excursion. A Southern League Division 1 Central game between league leaders Chalfont St Peter and local rivals Uxbridge, with just 5 miles separating the two clubs. Mill Meadow is a ground that I have driven past on numerous occasions but have not visited before. So, it was a case of a new ground and two new clubs for me this Tuesday. I approached the ground from the car park, walking behind the main stand to get to the entrance, with the sound of carols filling the air. All very festive.
The Saints have played at Mill Meadow, which according to their website was a rubbish tip before they moved in, since 1949. The ground has three covered seating and standing areas although it appeared that the older, wooden, stand on the clubhouse side of the pitch was actually closed to spectators. There are, however, covered seating areas behind both goals. The car park end stand, which looks the newest of all, is quite a large structure which spans, almost, the entire width of the pitch. The area behind the opposite goal looks a lot older is nowhere near as large. There is a dual turnstile entrance in the corner of the ground towards the car park end. The clubhouse, which doubles as a pre-school during the day, and the associated rooms have an almost ramshackle appearance. I don't mean this in a bad way though, all in all it's a tidy little ground with a fair bit of character to it.
I was quite looking forward to this game.
The Saints have played at Mill Meadow, which according to their website was a rubbish tip before they moved in, since 1949. The ground has three covered seating and standing areas although it appeared that the older, wooden, stand on the clubhouse side of the pitch was actually closed to spectators. There are, however, covered seating areas behind both goals. The car park end stand, which looks the newest of all, is quite a large structure which spans, almost, the entire width of the pitch. The area behind the opposite goal looks a lot older is nowhere near as large. There is a dual turnstile entrance in the corner of the ground towards the car park end. The clubhouse, which doubles as a pre-school during the day, and the associated rooms have an almost ramshackle appearance. I don't mean this in a bad way though, all in all it's a tidy little ground with a fair bit of character to it.
I was quite looking forward to this game.
Not the Car Park End The Saints had returned to the top of the league on Saturday with a fine 3-0 win over Barton Rovers whilst nearest rivals, Rushden & Diamonds, had gone down 4-1 at home to Royston. Uxbridge, meanwhile, had earned a very creditable draw at previous leaders St Ives Town. So, with both sides in good form and it being a local derby I was looking forward to a very competitive game.
With two minutes barely clocked up the home side upped the ante with an opening goal. Breaking down their right flank the ball was delivered early and with some pace for the onrushing Alex Paine to glance a header beyond the keeper and into the far corner. It was a very good goal and a great opening for the Saints. Sadly for them, that was about as good as it got this evening.
Despite going behind Uxbridge didn't let their heads drop. Instead they started to gain a an advantage in the midfield areas and gradually began to take a hold on the game. They were by no means dominating but they were more than holding their own.
Just before the half-hour they got their rewards for their hard work. A deep cross from the left was headed back across the goal where Reece Grant was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.
There was still time for Chalfont to have a goal correctly chalked off for offside, Uxbridge to hit the post and for a fair bit of injury time after the half got a little heated at times but there were no more goals.
So, all-square at half-time with the away side just about, in my opinion, shading the half.
With two minutes barely clocked up the home side upped the ante with an opening goal. Breaking down their right flank the ball was delivered early and with some pace for the onrushing Alex Paine to glance a header beyond the keeper and into the far corner. It was a very good goal and a great opening for the Saints. Sadly for them, that was about as good as it got this evening.
Despite going behind Uxbridge didn't let their heads drop. Instead they started to gain a an advantage in the midfield areas and gradually began to take a hold on the game. They were by no means dominating but they were more than holding their own.
Just before the half-hour they got their rewards for their hard work. A deep cross from the left was headed back across the goal where Reece Grant was on hand to bundle the ball over the line.
There was still time for Chalfont to have a goal correctly chalked off for offside, Uxbridge to hit the post and for a fair bit of injury time after the half got a little heated at times but there were no more goals.
So, all-square at half-time with the away side just about, in my opinion, shading the half.
The Car Park End The second half saw Uxbridge kicking down the slope and they immediately set about trying to get their noses in front. The Saints seemed to have very little to offer in response and Uxbridge quickly gained the upper hand in possession. However, they couldn't seem to find that final ball and, in truth, didn't worry the home keeper unduly for 30 minutes.
Then, on 75 minutes, a near-post cross was controlled by Grant who turned sharply and fired home for his and Uxbridge's second of the night. This did finally spark some reaction from The Saints who, to their credit, tried to up the game and force themselves back into it. Two decent saves from McCarthy kept them at bay and then just as the watch ticked over to 90 minutes Uxbridge broke away quickly and Grant coolly finished to grab his hat trick.
A very well deserved win for Uxbridge who, in my eyes, pretty much controlled the game after going a goal down. I am sure that Chalfont St Peter can play better than they showed this evening. They must have more about them to be this high up the league.
With Rushden & Diamonds winning, the Saints relinquish top spot. Uxbridge remain 11th but have closed the gap to 7th placed Egham to just 3 points.
Chalfont St Peter - @csp_afc
Uxbridge - @uxfc_redarmy
Then, on 75 minutes, a near-post cross was controlled by Grant who turned sharply and fired home for his and Uxbridge's second of the night. This did finally spark some reaction from The Saints who, to their credit, tried to up the game and force themselves back into it. Two decent saves from McCarthy kept them at bay and then just as the watch ticked over to 90 minutes Uxbridge broke away quickly and Grant coolly finished to grab his hat trick.
A very well deserved win for Uxbridge who, in my eyes, pretty much controlled the game after going a goal down. I am sure that Chalfont St Peter can play better than they showed this evening. They must have more about them to be this high up the league.
With Rushden & Diamonds winning, the Saints relinquish top spot. Uxbridge remain 11th but have closed the gap to 7th placed Egham to just 3 points.
Chalfont St Peter - @csp_afc
Uxbridge - @uxfc_redarmy
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