Chalfont End Purples Title Chances - Daventry Town vs. Chalfont St Peter

Strange light over Communications Park

Last weekend there was only one league conclusion worth watching as the top four sides in The Southern League Central Division could all win the title on the final day. I opted to travel to Northamptonshire to see if Daventry could get the win against Chalfont St Peter to give themselves a chance of winning the league. After a four one loss away at Egham on Thursday night meant that they also needed Dunstable and Rugby above them to lose. It had already been an impressive season for Daventry who reached The FA Cup first round where they went out gallantly to League Two (for one more week!) Chesterfield. They had been well placed to claim the title but three games without a win had put a spanner in the works. As for Chalfont they were comfortable in mid table. I had some of the best food I've ever had at a ground when I sampled a turkey burger at Mill Meadow a couple of seasons ago.

There was a good crowd to see if Daventry could win the league

Daventry almost get themselves in very early on but the pass from the quick free kick is just cut out. They come close to creating an another opening but the driven cross is just out of reach of the forwards. Chalfont's first foray in to the Daventry box is a free kick from wide which is easily claimed by the keeper. It is then Daventry's turn to have a free kick from wide and the ball is headed just wide. The first real of save of the game comes as the Chalfont keeper makes a low save as the centre forward was well teed up by the midfielder. Daventry get in to another good position but the ball in to the box is just behind the advancing centre forward. Chalfont soon get in to a good position themselves and the Daventry defender is alert to put in a good block. The last chance of the half is a Daventry header from a free kick which goes just over the bar.

Chalfont clear a Daventry corner in the first half

Chalfont drive a dagger in to Daventry's title hopes early on in the second half as they score a near post header from a corner kick. They almost double their lead with another header but this one is headed off the line. Daventry manage to get a chipped cross in to the box and the Chalfont defence is just able to get the ball away. As Daventry push for the equaliser, gaps begin to open up at the back and a Chalfont cross across the box manages to avoid everyone. They then come even closer as a free kick thunders the cross bar. Daventry then have a brilliant chance to equalise but the free header from a free kick is put agonisingly wide. At this point Dunstable and Rugby are both winning but an equaliser will secure a home tie in the play offs. The home side believe they should have a penalty when the centre forward and keeper come together but the referee believes it was a dive and books the Daventry forward. In the last minute, Daventry create another great chance and this one is blazed over the bar. Daventry now face an away play off at Kettering.

Daventry look for an equaliser in the second half

There is no train station in Daventry. The nearest station is Northampton which is around an hours journey from Euston. There are three buses which go from outside Northampton Station to Daventry but only the D1 goes close to the ground. The bus journey from Northampton to Daventry takes around three quarters of an hour. In the town centre there are a lot of pubs. Before the game I went to The Plume Of Feathers which was rammed full of Wolves fans before they travelled to see their side play Coventry at Sixfields. The ground is about a half hour walk from the town centre. The clubhouse has a bar like feel and had lots of screens for the mid day kick off. I don't know if they do it for every game but I'd fully recommend a pork sandwich from the BBQ just outside of the clubhouse. While I was waiting for the bus back to Northampton I had a quick drink in to The Jessons Well from which I could see my bus pull in to the station.

Small stand opposite the clubhouse