Whyteleafe 4 vs 0 Chessington & Hook

The four nil reverse flattered our hosts who rode their luck during a fine second half spell when we missed a number of chances, which if just one had been converted would most certainly have changed the way this game panned out.

With a number of changes from Saturday’s side we adapted well to having both different personnel, and a new shape, and although we were a bit hesitant early on we were always in the game and well organised.

The fact we stayed level in the first twenty minutes though was largely thanks to two fine saves from Ashley Smith, who despite being in some discomfort looked assured.

However a mishit clearance from him contributed to our hosts opening their account and saw him immediately replaced due to injury. His attempted clearance being pounced on by the lively left winge,r whose pace took him clear of our defence before unleashing a fine drive into the far corner.

The goal if anything stirred us into action, and although we threatened rarely we were enjoying good possession and creating a few half chances our self.

Right on the break we conceded a second, when Jimmy Brazil playing as a left wing back lost possession and a counter attack by Whyteleafe saw our three man back line outwitted by the lone front runne,r who toe poked home when tightly marked.

We hadn’t done enough in the half to feel hard done by, but had played with a reasonable assurance and to be two goals down was a little harsh.
Following the restart and with nothing to lose we sprung into action with a series of early breaks. Adam Welch and Jimmy Brazil both crossing into the six-yard box, but on each occasion we had no one to apply the finishing touch.

Our positive approach play lifted the side and for the first twenty minutes we were very much on the front foot.

If ever there was a game when the next goal would be decisive this was probably it, and the best opportunity fell most certainly to us.
Following another break and intelligent use of the ball, the lively Kyle Green was felled in the box and quite correctly a penalty was awarded.

Fresh from his recent successful spot kick against Cove, Green himself stepped forward, but his poorly directed strike was saved comfortably and to compound our frustration his air kick at the rebound when presented with a straight forward tap in was unfortunately for him the miss of the season.

Despite this missed opportunity we stayed positive, and just moments later Groblers fine diagonal pass found Green clean through only for his shot to this time rebound from the post.

This two-minute spell proved to be the turning point, as straight from these promising moments going forward we were punished twice in a minute as slightly hesitant defending was our undoing, as we reacted slower than our hosts to the loose ball in midfield.

With the result no longer in doubt the game became rather drab, and whilst the return of one or two of our long term absentees in Aaron Cole Bolt and Adam Welch and a first appearance from Sedjan Bjelica from the under eighteen set up gave us cause for future optimism, we again suffered a heavy defeat in our continuingly difficult season.