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EL Records Premier Challege Cup - 3rd Round

MATCH REPORT

It quite amazing the impact a change in team management can make. Feltham, languishing in the depths of the Combines Counties League Division One, and with a string of demoralising defeats, including one of double figures in their wake, sacked their manager 24 hours before this League Cup encounter with Chertsey Town at Alwyns Lane.

The effect was to give the visiting side a sense of purpose and cohesion that rightly earned them respect against what were superiors forces. Chertsey was never going to lose this third round tie, but neither did they run away with the game in the way that suggested itself, certainly before kick off, but also into a big chunk of the first half.

Town also treated the competition with respect by fielding a strong team, but having built a comfortable lead, was able to introduce some variety off the bench in the second half. John Swift was rested after sustaining a knock at Camberley on Saturday. Tommy Higgins and Jefferson Gowland returned to the starting line up at the expense of Steve McNamara and Andy Crossley who both appeared later along with Jack Mazzone off the bench.

Chertsey had all the early play and penetrated well giving the prospect of plenty of goals to come. Gavin Bamford twice came close in these early stages with a narrowly off target shot, then a header that saw the ball strike the inside goal post and literarily run along the line before the Feltham full back hacked it away.

Feltham had a rare moment when Liam Stone was forced to dive full length for a long range shot from Barry Fisher but the action soon returned to the other end and a goal that was recorded in the 20th minute. A positive raking run on the left by Ollie Treacher created a corner kick. From it, John Pomroy curled the ball towards the near post where Steve Gibson stole in and glanced the ball with his head into the gaping net.

Fifteen minutes later and Chertsey went two up with a cross coming in from the same quarter. This time defender Fisher did find the net; his own! With Gavin Bamford lurking just inches away, the number four tried to clear his cross bar but instead lashed the ball into the roof of his own net.

Town, as suspected, increased their lead on 41 minutes, this time with movement on the right. Andre LeLisser confidently advanced from a deep position and centred the ball into a crowded penalty area. A couple of pops at poking the ball home were made before Bamford finished off from five yards with a firm and positive strike.

Feltham acquitted themselves far better after the interval. Chertsey still had a strong edge but life was made more difficult for them with a better organised opposition thwarting any thoughts of a repeat of the ten goal thrashing meted out two years previous. Mind you, Feltham were still fortunate not to concede more goals but a combination of some assured goal keeping handling, especially in high line action, by Glen McCullough and off line shooting by Chertsey drew a line under any more home inspired scoring.

Chertsey’s best efforts at goal came from Tommy Higgins who committed robbery near the half way line, ran at goal but smacked the ball into the side netting, a Treacher free kick that was tipped over by McCullough, another Treacher drive that went straight at the keeper and a Pomroy strike that just cleared the cross bar.

So there might well have been further Chertsey scoring but in fact it was Feltham who notched the only goal of the second half when a fierce cross from the right during a 78th minute break out, found the spirited head of Jack Daniels and the ball thundered into the Chertsey net by way of the left hand upright. The goal perked up Feltham’s attacking instincts and for a few minutes gave Chertsey their most anxious moments of the game.

But normal service soon returned with Town in charge stroking the ball about with confidence, but not quite hitting the mark in the goal scoring department. The encounter gave both sides some positives in that Feltham created a launch pad to reinvigorate their season once more and Chertsey cruised into the last eight of a tournament they earnestly want to win, if nothing else, to lay the ghost of being thrown out last term for a minor rule infringement, having already reached the final.