Chessington & Hook United 1 vs 3 Camberley Town

To extend our run since last winning in the league to five.

With Saturdays encouraging showing at Egham fresh in the mind, it was hoped that we could go one better and secure a win against one of the clubs currently in the top six.

The game itself started brightly for both sides, with our first attack being thwarted when debutant Richard Webber’s cross was blocked inside the first ten seconds.

In an even opening marginally shaded by the visitors, it needed either a moment of inspiration or a mistake to separate the two teams. Sadly it was a mistake by us when a direct free kick found its way through the wall and into the corner of the net following Matt Holley’s unnecessary challenge.

Try as we might to get back into the game we lacked invention in the midfield area, and all of our promising opportunities fizzled out into nothing leaving us frustrated at our lack of attempts on the visitors goal.

With the increasing amount of possession Camberley were enjoying we were finding ourselves tested time and again, and it was only the efforts of the back line boosted by the return of Leon Canning that kept us in it. Just after the half hour mark we did fall further behind. Lack of pressure on the cross and Camberley’s forwards refusing to allow us an easy clearance, saw a first time effort beat Fisher to double their lead.

Psychologically we played the next five minutes looking like a beaten side and whilst we were re gathering our composure we were punished again, when a harmless looking strike somehow eluded Fisher to effectively end the game.

At the start of the second half and with little to lose, we played with less fear and could have reduced the deficit when Todd’s clever run saw him one on one with the keeper only to be denied by a fine save.
Shortly after and we were rewarded for our perseverance. Todd finding Graham with a clever pass only for Graham to be upended as he went to finish. Todd converted the resulting penalty and we had given ourselves an outside chance of an improbable comeback.

A period of sustained pressure followed, and the game turned into what might have been as our more direct approach allowed us a few half chances that probably should have seen us score again.
Unfortunately we could not keep the same tempo and gradually Camberley regained control and cleverly denied us further opportunities by slowing the game down and keeping possession all around the pitch. In fact they themselves could consider themselves unfortunate not to have increased their lead although clearly settled for what they had as the clock ticked down.

The final whistle brought a disappointing night to an end leaving the staff with a lot to consider before we next play.