Chessington & Hook United 1 vs 0 Ash United

And even then form would need to be considerably better and a lot more consistent.

As it was we duly obliged with a workmanlike display, which whilst not spectacular was the type of performance that we could have done with earlier in the season.

Pretty much we appeared to be determined to take something from the game, and was prepared to do whatever it took to get there.
In the opening minute though we nearly made the worst possible start.

Mark Daniels rescuing us somehow, when in reaching the edge of his penalty area he headed the ball upwards and back into his own area to complete the catch, and save when it appeared that the goal would be at the mercy of the centre forward.

This early warning didn’t put us back on track, as time and again the three man back line were struggling to deal with the pressure put on them by a hardworking Ash team. The game changed by accident almost, as Nicky White in just his second start had to be replaced due to a slight hamstring injury to be replaced by Richard Webber.

Reverting to the more familiar four four two shape suited us better, and gradually we began to deal with the Ash threat a little more comfortably, and in the process enjoyed greater possession further forward.

Despite this our actual goal scoring threat was limited, although Reece Jackson seemed to be denied illegally by the visiting keeper at least once, and we were a little unfortunate on another occasion when Craig Prendergarst was denied having rounded the last defender.
As half time was reached an even score line was probably about right, although the closing stages had given us some encouragement for the second half.

At the restart we had further injury concerns with Reece Jackson suffering from the knock he had taken from the goalkeeper to his foot, and Gary Puckett still nursing a knee problem. That aside though we started brightly, and was unfortunate not to take the lead when Reece Jackson rounded the goalkeeper only to see his effort cleared off the line. As his substitution was being arranged he made one final impact, when having cut in from the right, Zak Graham took the shot on goal off his toes, cleverly directing the ball into the bottom corner of the net to give us the lead. In fairness it was nothing more than we deserved having made such a positive start to the second period.

The expected response from the visitors never really materialised, and we had in scoring the opening goal taking control of the match.
Although Ash pushed forward in the last fifteen minutes, changing their shape in the bargain, they never really troubled our defence and we remained comfortable. With the game now more open than it had been at any time it was giving us an opportunity to counter attack, and our final pass should have been better on a number of occasions.

Jimmy Brazil and Zak Graham perhaps the most guilty.The fact that it wasn’t kept the game in the balance when it should really have been wrapped up.

As usual when you are in need of a win and have failed to put distance between you and your opponent you are in for a nervy finish, but thankfully despite the occasional Ash attack we held on for a priceless three points.