he Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Match date:20 August 2019
Shrivenham0
Chalfont St Peter2
Sodike Thompson50
Sean Giordmaina54
Chalfont's nascent season took another step forward as they overcame an organised Shrivenham side having been reduced to 10-men within the first 10 minutes.

Despite the blistering weather, Saints never looked as though they were a man short after Jordan Payne was shown a red card after a mis-timed tackle on the edge of his own area.

The hosts, from the Hellenic Premier Division, took advantage of the slope and Saints had Michael Anguzu to thank for keeping them in the game through the early stages with several outstanding saves as Saints struggled to re-organise after the loss of Payne.

David Pitt was getting very little change from the determined home defence, especially once he was left upfield as a single target man. An early change saw him replaced by Sean Giordmaina and so Saints were able to rotate a triumvirate of attacking speedsters in Sodike Thompson, Kahlil Francis and Giordmaina.

It was important that half time was reached with the scores level if Saints were to take advantage of the tools they had in the bag.

Luke Elliott marshalled his defence excellently and, although they were helped by some poor finishing, there was a growing belief that their hard work would pay off once Saints had the benefit of the slope and the home defence began to wilt in the heat.

And so it came to pass as Saints took control soon after the re-start, A long throw into the six yard box by Luke Jones was headed on and Sodike Thompson stroked the ball home from close range.

Within minutes the lead had doubled as Sean Giordmaina challenged the keeper for a high ball outside the area, and followed up the resulting loose ball and forced it over the line before a retreating defender could clear.

Shrivenham might have collapsed at this point but creditably they fought back into the game and Saints were never really comfortable. A fairly soft penalty award might have made the final minutes very tense but Nathan Blackford blasted the spot kick high over the bar. There was still time for Anguzu to pull off another wonderful save to ensure that Chalfont deservedly progress to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup with a clean sheet

Star Player: Michael Anguzu

Line up:
Michael Anguzu, Ricky Brennan, Luke Elliott, Danny Wickenden (Callum Doyle 59), Jordan Payne, Riccardo Alexander-Greenaway, Sodike Thompson, Andre Odetola, David Pitt (Sean Giordmaina 38), Luke Jones, Kahlil Francis (Zayd Ait-Fahim 79).