Bookham vs Chessington & Hook

The rain that arrived during the warm up at least helped a poor surface become just about ok, although the football that followed was at times as miserable as the evening weather.

In fairness Bookham worked extremely hard and it was clear that we would need to maintain a high tempo to get the three points, or have someone produce something special. Our opponents who weren’t without chances of their own defended resolutely and first half chances at both ends could be counted on one hand. The best opportunities for us coming from a Todd cross into the box which somehow evaded everybody to go out for a goal kick and a couple of half chances that should have worked the goal keeper slightly more than they did. The one individual moment that stood out being a shot from the edge of the box from Reece Jackson which was comfortably held.

With a win clearly needed to stay in touch at the top, an improved second half performance saw us as the most likely to get the opening goal, although it is fair to say that we weren’t at our best and Bookham`s own desire to get something from the game made it difficult.
Early on in the half a decent penalty appeal for a foul on Todd was waved away. On another day with another referee it could well have been given. This proved to be his last action as he was withdrawn shortly after due to feeling unwell.

The next to test the home keeper was his replacement, Daniel Bennett, whose low drive following some neat footwork was just about dealt with by the home keeper who appeared relieved to say the least to keep the shot out. The only real scare for us in the second half coming from a well hit shot from a poorly dealt with corner that Martin Jackson blocked on the line. As time ticked away our ascendancy was reflected by the amount of possession we had in Bookham`s half and with fifteen minutes to go our best chance of the night arrived. Andrew Weir’s pass to Reece Jackson was headed into the path of Darren Smith who with just the keeper to beat, hit wide from eight yards out.

The miss appeared to take the wind out of our sails and although a late chance for Matt Ellis which was driven wide gave us a last ditch opportunity to win it we were left reflecting on what might have been.