Chesham clinch vital promotion victory

Jan 23 2012 By Matt Lewis

Leon Archer

CHESHAM boss Andy Leese hailed the impact of super-sub Leon Archer after the speedy striker came off the bench to clinch victory against Stourbridge.

Archer entered the fray midway through the second-half and bagged the pivotal goal as the Generals continued their push for the play-offs.

“I thought that their two centre-backs were tiring and Leon could help us and I was proved right. It got us the goal and at a crucial time,” said a delighted Leese. “We dominated the game in the second-half and could’ve had one or two more to be honest.”

Chesham took the lead after just six minutes as James Potton took advantage of some sloppy Stourbridge defending and nipped in to chip the ball over the onrushing Lewis Solly.

But when Stourbridge striker Ryan Rowe dragged centre-back Ryan Moran out of position, midfielder Leon Broadhurst was waiting in the centre to bag the equaliser.

And the visitors took the lead right on the stroke of half time when Nathan Bennett rose highest to powerfully head home skipper Ben Billingham’s free-kick.

But as dozens of disappointed Generals fans headed for the refreshments stand, Steve Wales grabbed an injury-time leveller after being put through by a defence-splitting Potton pass.

Leese threw on Archer just after the hour and the frontman made an instant impression, beating the offside trap and rounding Solly before slotting home from close range.

Bruce Wilson wrapped up the points in spectacular fashion with a superb 35-yard drive that flew past Solly and cannoned in off the upright just three minutes from full-time.