Chessington & Hook vs Chertsey Town

After back to back league wins the team and supporters had every reason to be confident going into the FA cup clash with Chertsey Town but both were left disappointed with the result and performance.

The starting line up was still missing Mark Daniels in goal, Malik Buari in attack and the influential Simon Langley missed out after failing a fitness test 2 hours before kick off, player coach Martin Jackson coming in for his first start.

Chertsey were quickly on the front foot , dominating the early stages although failing to trouble Dane Buss in the Chessington & Hook goal. The need for an early substitution didn’t help matters when Andy Davidson, suffering from a tight hamstring had to be replaced by Joe McShane.

There was a sense on inevitability about proceedings as Chertsey’s pressure finally told when a right wing cross was converted by John Pomroy. Chessington punished for failing to get tight in midfield , giving the ball away and not marking the most prolific striker in the league.

There was clearly a need to get in at half time only one down and it appeared that this would be achieved as the clock was ticking down without too many dramas. The worry at this stage being that we had only had one effort on the Chertsey goal , that coming from Scott Todd who had latched on to a Leon Canning pass. With half time rapidly approaching a hopeful ball into the box from Matt Holley who had started the pre season at Chessington was not dealt with by Dane Buss and John Pomroy was able to tap home a simple second. To claim a foul on our keeper would have had even the most biased of fans grasping at straws.

Clearly words were had at half time and although the performance was still lacklustre there was at least an increase in desire and application. Both sides created chances and Chertsey can probably consider themselves unfortunate not to have added to their two goals. However as is often the case a Chessington goal at any stage may have caused a stir in the Chertsey defence and this nearly came with five minutes remaining when a well worked move saw substitute Dean Pitcher have an opportunity from ten yards out. The chance appeared lost when the ball got stuck under the strikers feet but somehow he got a shot away which was stopped on the line. Many in the ground felt that the defender had used his hand and his decision to lay injured in the penalty box for several minutes seemed to suggest there was something to hide. The decision did not go our way and the players own admission after the game that he did handle the ball was little consolation.

That chance apart Chessington & Hook rarely threatened and all in all we cannot complain that our FA Cup run was ended at the first hurdle.