Chessington & Hook United 2 vs 1 Horley Town

The main danger was that this game didn’t fall flat after the euphoria of that fine away day.

Early on we actually seemed buoyed by our recent success and the opening exchanges were mainly in our attacking third, although the visiting keeper was rarely troubled. With changes forced upon us from Saturday we lacked continuity and although we enjoyed a fair amount of possession we were unable to find the same level of performance that we had just a few days earlier.

On fifteen minutes and with their first meaningful attack the visitors took the lead, when a ferocious strike from the edge of the box beat Fisher leaving him with no chance.

This setback and our reaction to it wasn’t a positive one and just moments later having conceded possession far too easily we were nearly punished again when a long range shot beat Fisher but came back of the bar.

With us clearly shaken by this five-minute spell we rallied around and managed to at least restrict our opponents with a committed approach yet still our attacking threat was insipid and it looked as if changes might be needed to give us a lift.

Ten minutes before the half and out of nothing we equalised.
The visiting keeper who was trying to take time out of the game at an unbelievably early stage miskicked his clearance direct to Scott Todd and having beaten the one defender in his way he cleverly chipped the keeper for a fine goal.

The second half started with both sides trying to gain the imitative and saw slightly different approaches. Our own play although in need of better quality passing exercised a more patient build up whilst Horley were a little more direct. Neither option proving particularly effective although our goal just before the break acted as a platform for an all round more competent half of football. With the game in the balance it looked ever more likely that a goal from either side would prove decisive and that it might take a mistake or a moment of genius.

Thankfully fifteen minutes into the half it was Chessington that got it and it certainly had a touch of class about it. A throw in near the corner flag down our right was delivered back down the line toTodd on the bounce and his volleyed cross was met with another volley from Zak Graham. His well struck shot nestling in the corner and proving due reward for his perseverance on a night where he himself would admit he wasn’t at his best.

The remainder of the game flattered to deceive with opportunities at both ends perhaps more so from the visitors who saw another shot beat Fisher only to rebound from the post.

At the end we managed to hold on just about and in the bargain had recorded back to back wins to lift us in to the top half of the table.

The performance didn’t quite have the same quality as the previous Saturday but the lack of character and determination that had perpetrated some of our recent games was certainly replaced by a freshness and desire that served as the catalyst for this win.