MATCH REPORT

Chertsey Town maintained their early lead at the top of the table with a narrow win that should have been far more comfortable for, although they maintained far more possession and took the lead three times, they relaxed too much after inching ahead each time, to allow North Greenford United back into a game that should have been put to bed far earlier than the 84th minute.

The niglling injury list had grown even larger after the two Deal Town FA Cup encounters and it was Paul Brooker, this time that was sidelined. New midfield signing Ryan Gray fitted in well though and Town were still able to progress up field with confidence. The problem was that neat possession football became too elaborate resulting in little in the way of an end product.

Still, the Chertsey goal could hardly be looked upon as vulnerable and Greenford were seemingly reduced to unfeasibly long range shots that were well off target. It therefore looked a foregone conclusion that the home side would eventually nudge themselves into the lead especially after 32 minutes when a fast track forage by full back Steve Gibson was terminated by having his quickly disappearing heels clipped, to set up a well taken John Pomroy penalty kick.

Town eased back and should have read the signs when Michael Murray curled in a 20 yard shot for the visitors, which only just flew wide, for a few minutes later the Greenford attack was more successful with Anton Lewis, on the right extremity of the Chertsey penalty area. He powered in a strike that moved through the air and beat Dave Tidy for a 37th minute equaliser.

Chertsey began the second half with more purpose. Leon Johnson must have thought that anything they can do, I can do better; and he did! On 54 minutes and with the ball at his feet, he let go of a rasping 35 yard screamer that shot into the bottom left of the Greenford net, beating James Hannington for pace. This goal might have put Chertsey in a more positive frame of mind but again they became flabby and allowed their opponents to push the ball up field to a point that the penalty area again began to be threatened.

It was no great surprise that another equaliser came, this time on 70 minutes, with a deep cross from the left flank that Aaron Silcock connected with his head in front of goal and directed the ball home for another jolt to Chertsey's ambitions to get a flyer to the start of the season. With Kevin Cooper on in replacement for Johnson, Town increased their work rate but passing was still too intricate and the final delivery was below par.

Cooper took a 22 yard strike but saw the ball flick just wide off a Greenford heel and then Luke Muldowney's 25 yard shot was parried by a fortunate goalkeeper as the ball rebounded to a defending colleague. Chertsey commanded the midfield and was well on top as the game edged towards its end and at that stage, it was a wonder how they had managed to concede two earlier goals. The answer came ten minutes from time when a Town attack broke down and Nico Coleman beat the offside flag on the counter.

Luckily for Chertsey, he overcooked his shot which comfortably cleared the cross bar. However, momentum was still directed towards Middlesex territory and persistence at last paid off when man of the match Marcus Moody released the ball along the Chertsey left to Ryan Gray. He made more progress to cut the ball back to Pomroy on station near the penalty spot where he found time and space to pick his spot with a low drive and maintain Town's perfect start to a long campaign.

Home Team:

Chertsey Town Team: