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Combined Counties League - Premier Division Match

MATCH REPORT

With their main rivals dropping points whilst picking up all three at well placed Badshot Lea, Chertsey Town had a good weekend and although still placed third in the Combined Counties League table, they are well in the mix in regard to taking the title and promotion.

Town’s win at Badshot Lea was not a pretty affair and had either of the two sides let up for even a moment then the other would have pounced in this very competitive contest. The opening minutes summed this up with the home side enjoying nearly all the possession but being unable to batter a way through to even the outer reaches of Chertsey’s territory.

It was the visiting side that looked more dangerous though, once they had calmed their opponents ambitions and took the lead on a dozen minutes with Steve Goddard clipping the ball over the advancing Matt Watson in goal at an angle after receiving a diagonal ball from Andy Crossley. The goal set up a good period for Chertsey although it was Badshot Lea that came closest when Liam Stone between the Town sticks parried a shot but then Crossley needed to clear off the line from the follow up strike.

It was then Chertsey who might have scored when, on 19 minutes, John Pomroy saw his shot hit the post. The ball rebounded to Dean Papali who grew in confidence but his well delivered strike was headed off the line for a corner kick. Stone was again in action, turning aside a long range effort, low to his right. A Steve Tyson and Steve Goddard move looked effective but only won a Chertsey corner as Town again asserted themselves.

An eye catching mazy Crossley run across the home penalty area ran out of steam but the ball found Goddard whose rifled shot hit the side netting. Chertsey could have conceded as the half time break loomed when Jack Francis lost possession in front of goal but must have thanked Stone for saving his blushes but to be fair he and all his fellow defenders did well throughout the game. Ollie Treacher seems to be progress almost game by game.

Badshot Lea pressed hard after the switch round and reaped a dividend with Darren Blake thundering in a shot that rose from 25 yards into the top corner of the Chertsey net for a 57th minute equaliser. Stone may have had no chance with that effort but he earned his corn soon after by saving a Brad Smith shot with his feet.

Chertsey came back into the game. Twice earlier Town looked good value to create a two goal gap but failed, only to be pegged back. But the positive efforts from both sides meant that another goal was highly likely and it came on 73 minutes, to the satisfaction of the Chertsey contingent. A move on the left saw Papali cut in. A space was there for a shot but instead he squared the ball across the goalmouth where Pomroy ran in to fire the ball home from ten yards.

Chertsey tried hard to increase their lead and two golden chances came their way. A 12 yard Steve Tyson pile driver was knocked away by Watson then a grave Lea defensive error gave Papali an open goal but the ball would not sit right and he was quickly shut down. Chertsey subsequently did not need the extra goal to record a well deserved victory, their first from their last six outings.