Big win in our first friendly

We kicked off our pre season with a game against Clanfield FC from Hampshire, Clanfield finished 7th in their senior divison last season so we knew we was going to be in for a tough game.

A new look Chessy team, with only 4 players from the squad last year - Sebastion Morrally, James Duke, Ade Oketoki & goalkeeper Reece Ellis were the only surivors.

Ian Hewitt started in goal with his brother Sam playing alongside James Duke in the heart of our new look defence, Kalid Alzubaidi on the right side and Lewis Draper on the left. Ryan Hughes started his first game after two years out with injury, alongside Ryan in midfield was the very impressive Ahmed Hussain, Lee Matthews, Kevin Bourne and Jake Hill with Bas Morrally leading the line.

We started rather slowly and in the early exchanges Clanfield had a lot of possession but without really testing Ian Hewitt in goal. It took us about ten minutes to settle and finally string a few passes together and from that moment we didnt look back.

Bas Morrally was causing the visitors back line all sorts of trouble with his pace, the vision from Ryan Hughes, Kevin Bourne and Lee Matthews were supplying Bas Morally, Jake Hill and Ahmed Hussain with lots of ball in the final third of the pitch.

We took the lead around the 15min mark when a corner from Hussain wasnt cleared by Clanfield, a goal mouth scramble and the ball finally falling the Sam Hewitt inside the six yard box to poke home.

We kept the pressure on and if anything raised the tempo, some really pleasing football was being played by all.

Our second goal was on the half hour mark when Bas Morrally latching on to a through ball to finish well.

Only a minute later and we went 3-0 up when more good work from Ahmed Hussain found Lee Matthews inside the box, quick feet and skills and killer pass to the advancing Jake Hill who took it round a defender to fire home.

A few changes were made after during the first 30 min break.

Charlie Renton on for James Duke
Azahar Sarwar on for Kevin Bourne
Ade Oketoki on for Lewis Draper
Dan McLoughin on for Bas Morrally
Reece Ellis on for Ian Hewitt

We started slowly again and Reece Ellis had two saves to make in the first minute of the restart. A minute later and the visitors got a goal back. 3-1.

The goal woke us up and we started playing again, Dan McLoughin was a presence up top and Ade Oketoki was full of non stop running using his pace and power to his advantage.

Sam Hewitt got his second of the game when he met a Ahmed Hussain corner with a fantastic header into the roff of the net. 4-1.

Some more changes on the hour.

James Duke on for Sam Hewitt
Lewis Draper on for Jake Hill
Kevin Bourne on for Ryan Hughes
Bas Morrally on for Ahmed Hussain

More pressure from the home side and we knew we was going the score more, Dan McLoughin got himself on the score sheet when he rifled his shot into the roof of the net after more flowing football. 5-1.

Lee Matthews added to the scoreline shortly after with some decent build up played through the middle of the park.6-1.

Lewis Draper wrapped it up towards the end with a stunning free kick into the top corner, the Clanfield keeper didnt even move! 7-1.

Overall it was a very impressive performace from all of the lads, it was nice to actually play a game after a hard months pre season training.

Well Done to everyone involved!

MOM - Sam Hewitt