Chessington & Hook 1 vs 3 East Preston

When we lost to East Preston from the Sussex County league in the FA Vase.

A massive disappointment, as with respect to all of our opponents the draw this year had appeared to give us an opening to make some progression in the premier cup competition at this level.

A well-organised East Preston started the brighter, and had a couple of early openings, which were rather snatched at and came to nothing. Warning signs of sorts, but nothing that overly caused concern at this stage of the match.

As seems almost customary with us we gradually got going and began to assume some control. During a sustained period of pressure around the half hour mark we were denied time and again by some remarkable goalkeeping by the visitors. Nicky White the first to miss out when his bullet header was palmed away, then the same player having wrestled possession away from a hesitant full back attempted an audacious chip which was caught comfortably, and finally a fine full length save stopped skipper Cole-Bolt opening the scoring from a full twenty five yards.

At the break we had probably done enough to have the lead but to be fair the visitors had asked questions themselves and all square was possibly about right.

Confident of going on in the second half, we were given an early wake up call when we conceded somewhat softly within the first ten minutes.

Firstly we were shrugged off the ball too cheaply, and then from the resulting throw in our marking and cover play was non-existent and we allowed too much room for the forward to fire home with an angled drive.

With our confidence at an all time low we lost belief at this stage, and despite still playing to win we lacked purpose and failed to apply the very basics of competing at this level. The second goal just five minutes later was again avoidable. Nicky Whites attempted pass was clumsily smothered / blocked, and fell favourably to the East Preston forward who picked up the loose ball and ran untroubled to the by line before squaring for a simple tap in at the centre of the goal.

There really was no way back, and that feeling swept through the players as the visitors buoyed by their lead played with real determination and confidence allowing us no time at all on the ball.

Late changes were made to salvage the game, and from nowhere a headed flick on from Kyle Green from a free kick caused sufficient panic in the box for the defender to score an own goal. Just maybe we could get back.

From the kick off that hope was extinguished, when inexplicably a lack of fight allowed pass after pass to be made under no pressure and when the ball inevitably ended up in the box a rash challenge by Mark Daniels gifted East Preston a penalty.

The immediate chance to restore the two-goal advantage was taken and with it went any hope of a comeback.

Another defeat and hard work all round needed to get back on track.