CHESHAM United boss Andy Leese is pleased players wanted by other clubs have rejected the chance to leave The Meadow.

Leese has been in charge for more than 200 games and many of his team have made a similar number of appearances for the upwardly mobile Generals.

Another successful season has led to other teams interested in signing some of Chesham's star players but they have opted to stay put with the promotion chasers.

Leese said: "There have been a couple of seven day approaches that have been rebuffed. The players have wanted to stay and we've no intention of moving anybody on.

"Teams that are doing well catch the eye and attract attention. We're not vulnerable, the players are enjoying the season and it's great to be involved in games that really mean something every week.

"They're aware if they can repeat what they've done in the first half of the season, we'll have a great chance of playing football at the next level."

United moved up to second in the Southern Premier League table with a 2-0 win over struggling Arlesey Town on New Year's Eve and they consolidated that without playing on Monday.

Brackley went three points clear at the top with a win but fellow promotion hopefuls AFC Totton, Oxford City, Chippenham Town and Leamington all failed to win.

Leese said: "It was a strange day in that sense, everything went in our favour.

"The top five is like musical chairs at the moment. It's where we wanted to be and we'll be on target if we repeat that in the second half of the season."

Chesham travel to Totton on Saturday keen to inflict a third straight defeat on the south coast side, who will field former Wycombe Wanderers transfer target Mike Gosney.

Leese said: "The key is to make sure you're not getting beaten by the teams around you. They've just suffered two defeats, which might be a bit of a surprise to them and we need to recognise that.

"I don't think they are must-win games at this stage. We have to make sure we're not losing games but it's not in our nature to sit back and play for draws."

Reflecting on the Arlesey game, won thanks to first half strikes from Simon Thomas and the recalled Steve Wales, Leese said: "I thought we did well at St Albans in the second half and picked up where we left off. It was a good solid performance, reminiscent of where we were a few weeks ago."