GERMAN SPOT ON TO HELP TITLE BID

THE Generals of Chesham continued their march towards the Premier South title – but they had to battle long and hard to return home victorious.

Fans had a difficult afternoon, enduring blinding sunshine, blustery, driving and freezing rain showers and a hailstorm at half-time.

Hendon – missing seven regular squad members – kept the powerful Generals forward line at bay for long periods but lacked the necessary firepower of their own to cause Chesham problems.

Generals joint manager Michael Murray admitted to the NLP: “We were not at our best today. We knew Hendon would give us a tough game and they made us work really hard.

“But, in the end, we found a way to win and I’m delighted with the three points.”

Bradley Clayton and Zak Joseph both went close for Chesham with attempts from freekicks in the first eight minutes. Ryan Upward and Clayton then had shots blocked, while Hendon went close when a cross from Romeo Akinola floated inches over the crossbar with Zaki Oualah back-pedalling.

Richard Pingling was denied by a good save from Oualah, while Hendon debutant Dylan Berry made a better stop to keep out a Joseph shot.

A poor Oualah clearance nearly gifted Akinola the opening goal, but the forward had to stretch to reach the ball before shooting and a defender got in a block.

After 58 minutes, Berry made a great save from a Clayton shot, but the forward was fouled from the resulting corner and Ricardo German stroked home the penalty.

Callum Adebiyi nearly made it 2-0 after 65 minutes, but his nearpost flick struck the upright and bounced to safety.

Hendon thought they had equalised in the 82nd minute,