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Combined Counties League - Premier Division Match

MATCH REPORT

It was a fair bet that, following a three week forced sabbatical from matches, combined with playing on only one the two pitches in the Combined Counties League to beat the frosty conditions, Chertsey Town’s performance was not going to be one to savour. Although the quality of the football suffered, as did another sizable crowd, the Curfews’ inner circle will have been pleased that their side did not slip up against modest visitors, Hanworth Villa, even though the win was not a pretty sight!

Chertsey’s line up was identical to that which mullered Croydon 21 days previous in their last outing. That day was perhaps the best seen from the side all season. Sadly for them, continuity out that performance was frozen dead. Hoped for festive fare of perhaps roast turkey with all the trimmings was sloppily replaced with fish fingers, hardly out of the deep freezer.

The game began with some promise and play was speared time again towards the Hanworth penalty area and seemed that the three points would be going in the direction, as dictated by the form book. Although playing a deep role, Marcus Moody looked likely going forward and had designs on goal early on with a shot that went over the top.

He was on hand to slot in what turned out to be the only goal of the game which was recorded in the 17th minute. A corner kick from the left was swung in short by John Pomroy where Jack Francis headed the ball on and across Villa’s goal mouth. A string of players from both sides attempted to make contact but all failed until Moody stepped in on the far post to set Chertsey on their way.

Or at least, that is what many believed that was the probable scenario. John Pomroy had two good chances to underpin that notion but hooked the ball off target with the first, then meekly directed the ball straight at Terry Buss in goal on the second. It did not seem important at the time because potential opportunities were being assembled at regular intervals.

Andy Crossley and Moody combined well, just alter the half hour, to provide for Steve Goddard but his shot was not good enough. Meanwhile, play rarely generated anything exciting in the Chertsey defence who were mopping up with distinction. The only half scare came on 35 minutes when 30 yard free kick from Steven Loverage, a former Chertsey Under 18 player, dipped sharply and Liam Stone was forced into an unexpected leap to tip the ball over.

Lack of vibrant play in the Hanworth penalty area, worryingly became more apparent as the interval approach but with a deep comfort zone having been created at the back, the thinning out of chances was irritating for home supporters, but not critical. But the situation started to look a little more acute after the turnaround as Hanworth Villa displayed new found confidence.

They looked far more interested after the break and it was Loverage again who looked the most likely to find success by forcing an unconvincing save from Stone with a shot that might have gone wide anyway. Fellow forward Dan Whaford also had a go at the Chertsey goal but this time Stone was well in charge of the situation.

Chertsey’s passing game out of defence went from bad to worse allowing Hanworth bonus possession. The hardy band of Chertsey fans behind the Hanworth goal might have done better to have brought binoculars with them in order to get a reasonable view of the match in the second half. Steve Tyson created a rare goal attempt, but that was at distance and well off target, but even so, at least it was a go at goal!

Tom O’Reagan, off the bench, then found success for Chertsey on the far left flank late in the game by running at, and past, his marking full back but his crossing into the centre was not seized upon with sufficient alacrity to make sure of the victory. He also had a 20 yard drop shot at goal but, in keeping with his team mates efforts, was unable to test Buss to any great degree.

The end came with the pitch showing strong hints that the night’s hard frost was well on its way. Chertsey may not have made their victory emphatic but they did enough to ensure their opponents were never going to turn the tables and punish the host side for not taking their earlier chances. A win is a win though and the three points ensured Chertsey remained in the leading promotion pack.