Click HERE to view Wembley FC web site.

Combined Counties League - Premier Division Match

MATCH REPORT

Only four of last season’s squad featured in Chertsey Town’s line up at Wembley for the opening Combined Counties League match of the new season. Question marks over resolve and commitment may have marred Town’s challenge last term but there was no mistaking a determination to deliver with the latest intake, boosted in the final days to the start with the signing of proven striker Kevin Lock from Merstham and central defender Dean Inman, on loan from Hampton and Richmond, while Stuart Bamford rides out a two match suspension.

Spencer Day had the luxury of fielding three seasoned marksmen in Lock, along with Steve Goddard and John Pomroy with a three man attack. This could have backfired in the defending department but the four man back line held firm, allowing next to no opportunities for the Wembley attack. In fact the home side could only fire in decent shots under full defending pressure which resulted in off target salvos, when they came.

New goalkeeper Liam Stone had a confident debut. The few on target shots frankly required just regulation saves but he dealt strongly with all his mopping up operations. Skipper Steve Gibson was his usual steady and effective self, but all players contributed to a solid and entertaining season opener played in warm and bright conditions on a superbly toned pitch.

Chertsey controlled most of the exchange and rarely looked threatened with only Paul Shelton likely to make any headway for the host side. Ollie Treacher and Andre Delisser fired in early shots for the Curfews but it was Lock that looked like he would be the first on the score sheet after breaking through. A rash challenge by the lonesome Dominic Cassells in goal saw both players crashed heavily to the ground. Cassells was given a yellow card; it could so easily have been red.

He was not let off entirely though for the 23 yard free kick found its mark after the ball had clipped off the edge of the Wembley wall. And so John Pomroy, league top goal scorer for the past two seasons, set his personal scene again as the striker gave Chertsey a 20th minute lead. With Town playing an effective passing game, Goddard beat the back line but his shot, taken from an awkward stance, flew just inches wide. Pomroy found a similar position before the break but his attempted lob came closer but still only clipped the wood work.

Chertsey immediately went on the attack after the half time interval and, within three minutes, effectively wrapped up the result when Gavin Bamford harried a defender desperately trying to control a ball punted forward into his territory. Bamford took possession, and from just inside the penalty area, fired in a low strike leaving Cassells with no chance.

The game drifted a little for a while and Wembley gave their manager some encouragement with some neat football for themselves but although Shelton had a couple of half chances, it was Chertsey that were the winners all the way. Pomroy had the luxury of trying a couple of unlikely lobs at goal but they failed to impress.

It mattered little though as Chertsey were already well on the way to their first win of a season that promises as much as last term did at this time of the year. The previous assault on the title faltered at an early stage. The signs for greater stability this time round look like they might bring brighter rewards but there is such a long way to go. One game down, forty one to go, but it is all systems go!

CHERTSEY TOWN TEAM: 1. Liam Stoney 2. Steve Gibson 3. Matt Holley 4. Jack Francis
5. Dean Inman ( loaned for a month from Hampton & Richmond ) 6. Ollie Treacher 7. Andre De Lisser
8. Gavin Bamford 9. John Pomroy 10. Stephen Goddard 11. Kevin Lock
Subs , Tom Webb (GK) , Matt Grave , Jordan Griffith , Andy Weir , Andy Crosley