IN A week where COVID-19 wiped out most of global football there were 10 fixtures across the Combination that managed to get the green light, writes William Carter.
The matches included an enthralling Chesham & District Cup semi final between Magpies 91 and the sole representative from the League – Wycombe Athletic.
The Magpies have won the competition for the previous two seasons and bidding for a third straight success. They took a one-goal lead into the break after a tight opening 45 minutes.
Wycombe manager Ben Gutteridge rallied his troops during the interval, and they re-emerged for the second half with a desire that the cup holders could not match.
Luke Brown capitalised on a loose ball to tap home after seeing his initial effort blocked on 55 minutes.
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Athletic took the lead when Ashley Hanson seized upon a flick from Grant Newell and bore down on goal. His effort was well-saved, but the ball fell to James Turner who unselfishly headed across goal for Hanson to finish at the back post just after the hour mark – reaching double figures for the season in the process.
The Magpies chased the game in the final 20 minutes and won a series of corners but Athletic defended resiliently to see out the tie and reach their first cup final since their reformation.
Wycombe Wanderers await the winners of the other semi final tie between Berkhamstead Tornadoes and AFC Aylesbury.
Division One leaders Three Horseshoes dispatched Hambleden 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash.
Horse & Jockey moved to within three points of second place after beating Dinamo Chequers 3-1 with goals from Dean Birdseye, James Clark and Frank Smith.
Division Three table-toppers St Johns recorded a comfortable 5-1 victory against Thames Sunday – Baraka Noel with the consolation effort.
Wycombe Marsh hammered basement boys Chalfont Saints 7-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Brad Finch. Goals from Matthew Hatt, Aaron Knight, Daniel Smith and Yassar Sohail completed the rout.
AFC Liberal Reserves leapfrogged Chinnor Youth Under 23s into fourth position with a 4-0 home win. Liberal chief goal getters Josh Sabatini and Scott Waite were on the scoresheet with the former notching a hat-trick.
Seer Green and Hazelmere Sports Rangers played out a 2-2 draw. Both Joe Cannon and substitute Nathanial Kearns scored for the home side.
Division Four title favourites AFC Denham secured a 2-1 success at home over Riverside Rangers.
Downley Albion and St Johns Reserves shared the points in a 2-2 draw with both William Nagle and Edward Webb – the leading goals scorer in the division – netting for the hosts.
Winless Totteidge Hotspur Reserves were condemned to their 14th defeat in 16 league games as they were edged out 3-2 to Hazelmere Community. Both Keiron Cox-Henry and Ryan Shaw scored the consolation goals for the hosts.
Wanderers FC went down 4-2 to Real Saracens Reserves at Derehams Lane.
- The Combination is currently taking applications ahead of the 2020-21 season. Please contact Trevor Saunders at trevor-saunders@hotmail.co.uk for further information.
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