CHESHAM United Football Club dropped a place in the Ryman Premier Division following their goalless draw with Purfleet at The Meadow on Saturday.

The Generals had numerous chances to win it, but equally Purfleet could have snatched a late winner but for some good goalkeeping and a little luck on Chesham's part.

Bob Dowie's re-shuffled side bossed the first half of the clash between seventh and eighth placed teams in front of another disappointingly low Meadow crowd, but they couldn't convert their chances.

Man of the match Delroy Preddie was called into action early on when he parried Jamie Blunden's strike after he was allowed a free run on the Chesham goal but the Chesham custodian had little to do for the remaining 30 minutes of the first half.

It was all Chesham. Fitz Hall went close when his flick on beat the keeper but rose over the bar.

Chesham felt hard done by after being denied several penalty appeals but none really looked legitimate.

Victor Renner was unfortunate when he was obstructed after winning a jump with John Purdie only to be bundled over on his way to goal. But Chesham, seeming uncertain with the set-piece, messed up the resulting freekick.

Wayne Andrews concluded Chesham's first-half chances by firing at the keeper but Purfleet produced the best chance at the death when a defensive mix-up gave Martin Buglione a gilt-edged opportunity, forcing Dereck Brown to clear off his own line.

Preddie denied Paul Linger early in the second half with a brilliant save with his legs to keep Chesham in it, but even then they couldn't respond with a goal.

At the other end, Renner, Andrews and Richard Goddard all mis-fired.

October 31, 2001 11:30