Report by Jools Thomas

FC won an exhilarating Buckinghamshire derby against league leaders Chalfont St Peters with a performance of grit, determination and enough fight to go toe to toe with the best prize fighters. A goal in either half settled this game and although the visitors finished the game with nine men, it shouldn’t take the shine off what was a stirring display.

Jeanmal Prosper had FC’s first chance in the opening few minutes with a header that away keeper Michael Power-Simpson did well to parry. A few moments later, Lynton Goss hit a decent shot which the keeper tipped around the post for corner. FC were getting into their stride by now as they took control of the midfield area expertly marshalled by the all action Jonny Montgomery. This is not to say that CSP were quiet. Aaron Lansiquot hit a speculative effort towards goal that James Weatherill pushed away.

Kieron Schmidt always looked dangerous and his foray down the right on 14 minutes resulted in a shot which just zipped wide of the post. Lansiquot broke away soon afterwards and he would have had a clear run on goal had it not been for a timely tackle by Ben Stevens. Alan Hedley followed this up with an effort just on the penalty spot which had the accuracy but none of the power to trouble Weatherill. A more testing effort came in from Adam Louth forcing the FC keeper to gather at the second attempt.

This was to be the prelude to FC taking the lead. Brian Haule turned his man and advanced on goal, drawing out the keeper and placing the ball into the unguarded net for 1-0. FC continued to press and Jamie Rudd, a man who enjoyed a great game, turned on the right hand side before placing a shot which Power Simpson did well to save.

Anthony Mendy has a reputation as a striker to be feared and he proved this to be true as a ball over the top was controlled perfectly by the striker before he rifled in a shot forcing Weatherill to smother. On 44 minutes Adam Kirby hit a goalbound effort only for it to be blocked this time by Davis Haule.

The second half began with Ben Stevens retiring to be replaced by Danny Murphy. On 53 minutes Lynton Goss fired in a warning shot before CSP’s Lewis Ochoa drifted in a decent looking free kick just wide of the target. As the half progressed, Jamie Rudd almost profited from a misplaced clearance and only the keeper scuttling back and tipping the ball away prevented a goal. It was at this stage that the away team were reduced to ten men as Craig Carby received a second yellow card for an offence against Daniel Murphy

Mendy beat two men on 65 minutes but his shot was weak and caused little trouble for Weatherill. Thirteen minutes later and Jamie Rudd should have put FC 2-0 up. He did everything right, breaking through on the left but his shot was blocked by the advancing Power-Simpson. Rob Tomlin and James Dobson were introduced to the game as legs became tired on such a testing pitch as Mendy had his final chance of the evening on 85 minutes. There was still drama however. As Brian Haule hovered on the edge of the last man, a through ball forced CSP captain Alan Hedley to impede the target man’s run thereby forcing the referee to dish out another red card.

FC made the points safe when a long ball was nodded down for James Dobson lurking by the penalty spot. His powerful shot beat both keeper and defenders alike before nestling in the back of the net much to the delight of teammates and supporters.