LEESE PROUD OF GENERALS’ POSH PUSH

BOSS Andy Leese was delighted by the fight and drive shown by Chesham United after they came agonisingly close to causing Peterborough United an almighty FA Cup shock.

Shaq Coulthirst’s double proved enough for the hosts at London Road, although Ryan Blake pulled one back to set up a nervous last ten minutes for the League One club.

And with 94 places separating the sides in the football pyramid, Leese was ecstatic with the resilience shown by the Southern League Premier Division side.

“We were tremendous in the first half of the game, we looked like the side most likely to score,” he said.

“We stuck at it throughout and gave it our all, I think if we’re honest we slowed their tempo down and we looked good going forward and didn’t have to defend for our lives.

“I was really pleased with our performance – despite the result not being the one we wanted. I’m so proud of the club today.”

Chesham tried taking advantage of a lethargic Posh side, who surprisingly took the lead when Coulthirst showed some class with a thunderous 25-yard strike after 40 minutes.

But after tapping in for his second, Coulthirst watched a poor Michael Bostwick back-pass find Blake, slotting home to give the Southern Premier side a late sniff, but to no avail.

“This kind of game is never easy,” said Posh boss Grant McCann. “It was a cup final for Chesham, they came and gave everything.”