Chessington & Hook United 2 vs 1 Colliers Wood United

On a rain soaked surface both sides served up an entertaining game from the off, with an obvious determination to win being on show from all 22 players from the first whistle.

The early exchanges whilst lively, didn’t lead to clear-cut chances at either end although the pace of the visitors forwards were a threat throughout.

Our best chance, possibly, fell to Leon White who when presented with an opening following a mis kick from the goalkeeper, chose to find fellow forward Zak Graham rather than going for goal himself.

The first goal of the night came on twenty minutes, when following a decision to allow a corner rather than bring the game back for an obvious offence in the build up, (the attacking Colliers Wood forward shouting “leave it leave it leave it” when attempting to get on the end of a cross) saw a comedy moment in our defence result in an own goal.

Having won the first header and with Mark Daniels shouting for the ball as he went to collect, a miscued attempted clearance from Graham looped over him and in to the empty net.

Whilst a little unfortunate in the way we conceded and having started better than we did in the first game, we still on balance weren’t` deserving of much better and if anything this seemed to serve as a wake up call.

As the game reached the last five or so minutes of the half, our best passing move of the game involving Gooden, Heath, Nicky White, Tim Pitt, and possibly more, in a ten pass phase saw Aaron Cole Bolt drill home from the edge of the box to bring us level. His second goal in two games.

A lift at just the right time for us, although on half time we were grateful for Matt Holley’s acrobatic clearance off the line after Charlie West was beaten in the air and Mark Daniels was lobbed by the onrushing forward.

To be fair at this stage there could be no complaints at the scores being level, and there was a real sense that if either side raised there game slightly they would run out winners. Thankfully it was ourselves who started the half brightly, and at the very least the game was now concentrated more in our attacking third than at any point.

With the game still in the balance, both sides were cagey in their approach and chances were still few and far between. However our second of the night came after a period of pressure from us and was probably deserved on the balance of play.

A Matt Ellis free kick was headed on by Leon White only for his attempt to rebound of the crossbar, but Barry Gooden following up reacted first and stooped to head home from within the six-yard box.

Including the considerable amount of stoppage time there was still probably twenty minutes to go, and with Colliers Wood throwing caution to the wind we began to sit deeper. Steve Lang replaced Nicky White and Malik Buari came on for Leon White as we tried to keep the momentum, and we should have been rewarded when Buari`s cross fell to Zak Graham who shot over from eight yards out.

This let off kept the game in the balance and Colliers Wood sensing that there was still a chance piled forward at every opportunity. As the game reached the final minute, a Corner allowed the visiting keeper to go forward and his presence lead to panic in the home defence and a dramatic last minute penalty award for handball.

The second time in the two games that a penalty gave Colliers Wood a lifeline.

With the same taker as Saturday, Mark Daniels heroically dived away to his left and made a stunning save to deny the visitors with what was literally the last kick of the game.

On a sour note Tim Pitt was dismissed for foul and abusive language and will probably receive a three game ban for his outburst.