Report

Luke Dexters strike was not enough to earn Cookham the points at Taplow despite the Dean dominating for large parts of the match and for the second game in succession the Dean only took one point when three points were there for the taking.
But where-as the game against Sandhurst was a terrific match this was a fairly awful game in comparison.

Cookham however started okay and Paul Sharp had two good opportunities in the opening 10 minutes before Taplow nearly nicked the lead when a low cross deflected off of George Bonds thigh and glanced off the post.
Other than that early scare Cookham completely dominated the first half.
Luke Dexters lob hit the crossbar before a superb Chris Ellis long throw unfortunately eluded everyone to nestle in the back of the home net.

GOAL
The second half was only five minutes old when Cookham finally forced the breakthrough.
This time Ellis elected to take a short throw to Bond, and his accurate cross behind the Taplow back line was met by DEXTER who swept the ball home in style.

It should have been two-nil almost straight afterwards - but Sharp was again wide of the target when well placed.
Some good work from Ollie Webb then led to a chance for Jon Schaaf as the visitors pushed for a decisive second goal but again the hosts survived.

But disaster struck when Taplow achieved their first effort on target of the game when following a good run and cross from the home winger down the right flank the centre forward Darren Wheatley headed into the net for 1-1

With something to protect some of Taplow's challenges started to get a little too physical for the Referee and the number ten Dan Wilkes was straight Red carded for downing Ellis who had been sprinting through the middle in full flight.

In the closing stages the Dean twice hit the crossbar, the first effort was quickly scrambled away while Sean Gavagans next effort was as close as you come without actually scoring on 85 minutes.

Dexter then flashed a header just over from a Schaaf corner before Taplow conjured up a last gasp effort that nearly pinched it, but Nick Bovingdon in the visitors goal got something on the shot to deflect it wide.

There was plenty of disappointment at the final whistle for Cookham with another two points missed , because despite not being on top of their game the Dean had done more than enough to win this one - but once again they had failed to make their numerous chances count.

Match Gallery
1. 6 mins Chris Ellis's long throw went went staright in without a touch.
2. 50 mins Luke Dexter scores
3. 50 mins Old Pals act - Chris & Luke celebrate
4. 65 mins Taplow's Jason O'Connor clears off the line
5. 85 mins Sean Gavagan hits the bar