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Combined Counties League - Premier Division Match

MATCH REPORT

The fear of loss of mobility posed when Kevin Lock transferred his energies to Walton & Hersham days before this vital Combined Counties League encounter quickly evaporated following the injection of three new Chertsey Town signings who all fitted in so well, it was if they had been there all season. The eponymous John Swift in midfield was especially mobile as, was Steve Tyson, contributing to Chertsey Town sneaking all three points from second placed Sandhurst Town in a bright encounter in front of 202 spectators, Alwyns Lane’s best of the season.

The contest featured strong defending but started brightly for Chertsey in attack when Andy Crossley cut in from the left and forced early action from Dan Tilson in the visitors goal. Sandhurst Town, on 16 minutes, themselves, delivered a deflected shot that might have given them the lead but overall Chertsey had most of the possession, even if it was mainly confined to midfield play.

Chertsey had two good chances to break the deadlock midway through the half when one of the newcomers in the forward line, Craig Davies, just failed to connect off a Steve Gibson cross. Then a square ball across the box from Gavin Bamford, presented an opening for John Pomroy, but he side footed wide. Steve Tyson was the third of the new trio also contributed well.

If Chertsey had enjoyed the greater share of play in the first half, Sandhurst levelled the balance after the break and shocked the home side by taking the lead on 53 minutes. A free kick, taken deep on the right flank, delivered the ball to Jonny Fisk who headed into the Chertsey net. It was then the turn of the Sandhurst contingent to be startled when, immediately from the kick off. The ball went to Crossley. He cut slightly and from 30 yards, fired in a shot that Tilson thought he might have had covered but soon discovered he had not when the ball smacked high into the net behind him.

Crossley, later to be named man of the match, was a constant problem to the Sandhurst defence with his speed and penetration although he was not directly not involved with the final, and winning goal of the game. It came from a Pomroy corner that was planted in the ‘A’ position, five yards out with the posts at equitable distances, for Gavin Bamford to race in and head it, bullet like, into the heart of the Sandhurst goal.

Chertsey’s defence, with Jack Francis again giving a polished performance, dampened any thoughts Sandhurst might have had of an equaliser in the final nine minutes of play. After a fluid and disturbing week for hard pressed manager Spencer Day, the fruits of his labours were well rewarded with a solid, if unspectacular, performance and returned confidence for the stab at the league title.

Town’s prime rivals all won on the same afternoon creating a congested league table at the top with only a difference of three points covering the leading five clubs.