Cove 0 vs 3 Chessington & Hook United

Three important points and a good performance to go with the result.
As was the case on Saturday we enjoyed a perfect start when Aaron Leacocks third minute corner was somewhat awkwardly bundled home at the back post by the impressive Dre Grobler.

Just the lift we needed and the perfect platform for us in what had become the most important game of the season so far.

With our hosts in an equally difficult position and presumably with the same fragile mental state, we looked to further our lead in an impressive opening period when they were all at sea, and it was Dan Coombes who came the closest with a fine drive from the edge of the box.
Our dominance though was nearly cut short during a five-minute spell when we managed to stay level thanks to three fine saves from Ashley Smith in the Chessington goal.

This seemed to serve as a wake up call, as from our next set play again delivered impressively by Leacock, Coombes nearly converted at the back post. The next key moment was clearly when honesty was not the best policy as Green’s impressive movement and footwork took him clear of the static Cove defence, and his scoring opportunity was denied by a reckless attempt to deny him by the home keeper but trying to stay on his feet to convert a still reasonable chance proved his undoing, as the shot was blocked and the referee deemed the game to have sufficiently moved on.

Greens persistence and pace was causing problems all night, and following clever approach play involving his strike partner Burns he was denied twice more by some heroic goalkeeping.
At the break we remained one goal to the good but it could have been so much better.

Thankfully we started the second half well and nearly increased our lead when skipper Fontana’s forward surge after five minutes saw his well-directed shot headed onwards and upwards by Green.

Our early wobble was well past us now and we looked likely to score each time we attacked, but the one goal lead was slender and the worry remained that we could get caught on the break.

On the hour mark though the game changed. A long clearance chased down by Green resulted in him being fouled by the home keeper, and with him receiving his marching orders Green dispatched his spot kick passed the stand in.

With confidence restored we played some of our most fluent football for some time, and with the win all but secured, personnel changes were made. Kofi Hagan was the first to be introduced replacing Burns, and his presence up front was an immediate factor. With the one-man advantage we used every opportunity to release our defensive players forward, and one such break involving Oldershawe and Green saw those two combine to allow a simple finish for Coombes. The pressure now was almost relentless with Green at the hub of it. In a frantic five-minute spell he was involved in chances for Brazil, Betancourt and Coombes again, and all three opportunities were spurned when we should have done better.

Further late changes followed with Heath and Green replaced by White and Cole Bolt, and they too contributed well in the last ten minutes but our goal scoring was done for the night.

Our biggest threat now was posed by the weather rather than our opponents, as the fog thickened in the far corners of the ground. Thankfully sufficient visibility remained as we secured a much-needed three points.