CHALVEY Sports hosted Oxford City Development on Saturday and dominated the majority of the game for a 2-1 win, writes Ryan Gibbs.

Ryan Hazel grabbed two goals in the first half, his 30th and 31st of the season, in the Hellenic Division Two East fixture.

It was a very focused team performance and reverting back to basics was enough to take another three points.

Chalvey chairman Scott Young told the Observer: “After a string of recent defeats in cups we needed a reaction, needed to focus and get back to basics.”

“Oxford are the only team to take points off us so we knew it would be tough.”

“We played very well as a team and scored both goals in first half. We dominated the second half.

"We definitely deserved the win and the clean sheet. We worked very hard and shut them down very quickly.

"They are very well coached as they are a development side, but we could have maybe got a few more goals on another day.”

Hazel was on form again in Sports’ 2-1 win at Flackwell Heath Reserves on Tuesday, scoring the first goal with a 20-yard strike on the turn right before half-time.

Chalvey played their best football of the game after the break and a superb 30-yard volley from Bryan Taylor pushed the visitors further ahead.

Flackwell then started to apply more pressure and Chalvey had their backs against the wall approaching the end of the game.

To make matters worse, Hazel was sent off for his second yellow, so they had to hold out with 10-men.

Flackwell’s goal came with 10 minutes to spare, a well-executed chip from Paul Nichols which struck panic into Sports.

The referee added seven minutes of injury time and Chalvey had to deal with a bombardment of attacks, but managed to hold on for the three points.

Young said: “It was very tense and we were a little sloppy towards the end of the game.

“It was easily the hardest game for us all season. We had our backs to the wall.

“The lads were buzzing about the win at Flackwell as we are level on points with three games in hand so it is very close up there, and they were completely focused.

“We didn’t start very well and could have gone 1-0 down straight away. Luckily Ryan Hudson made a great save one on one.

“It was a real midfield battle full of tackles and passes.”

“Just after Matt Edwards hit the bar, before the stroke of half time, Ryan scored a sensational goal on the turn from 20 yards out.

"We expected to go in at half time 0-0, but with that goal it completely change our mindset. It was the best time to score.

“Flackwell came at us, but we were better in the second half and then Bryan scored an unstoppable volley from 30 yards out.

“All the goals in that game were absolutely class. Even their goal from Paul was a superb chip from a very tight angle.

“Bryan played at Flackwell so it was good for him to score against his old club, the players celebrated heavily for that goal.

“Flackwell came at us with 30 minutes to go. It was very tense and we needed to create distance. As we have games in hand, Flackwell wanted a win badly.

“Ryan received his second yellow and was sent off with 10 minutes to go.

“There was also seven added minutes of injury time and we were under immense pressure, but we survived.”

Chalvey are currently top of the table with three games in hand. However, a string of difficult upcoming fixtures could prove troublesome for the club with 15 wins and one draw out of 16 games.

Young added: “We’ve previously taken great pride in stopping teams winning the league, everyone wants to beat the team that is top. But if you want titles you must win games, three more wins and the league is ours.”

Chalvey host Thame United Reserves in their next game on Saturday and hope to continue their winning ways.

Young commented: “Up until our game against Flackwell Heath, Thame was our most difficult match with only a 1-0 away win.”

“They’re the best in the league at closing us down and stopping us from playing, so we need to make sure we take our chances when they come.”