Great Comeback.

With one player not even turning up it was left to the manager to change the team around minites before the kick off its not the perfect start to a game.
Within 4 mins of the game kicking off Paul Gough had a long range shot just go over the bar,we started quite well but we were slow to the second ball and Vale should have taken advantage of this in the 12th min.when they picked up the ball out wide and fired a cross into our 6 yard box and a mix up between our keeper and our defenders should have resulted in more than just a goal kick to us.
Next in the 17th min. it was our turn to go close when the hard working Theo Woodhouse put in a very good cross and Paul Gough getting on the end of it just headed wide with the Vale keeper well beaten low down by his post.But only 3 mins. later it was our keeper Nicky Taylor who got down low to save well from a shot from just outside the box.
Then came the first of a few very strange decisions from the ref when he awarded Vale a penalty and he was the only one who seemed to have seen why a penalty was given even the linesmen had no idea and the home team did not even appeal for it,but the Park player made no mistake from the spot to put them 1-0 up and only 4 mins.later Park were 2-0 up when a low shot hit the post and rolled in with Nicky Taylor from where we were sitting slow to react.
This was not the best advert for the game of football as both teams gave the ball away at regular intervals but in the 30th min.the Ref should have awarded Chessington a penalty when a Vale defender clearly fouled Jimmy Harding when both were jumping for the ball and when asked the ref replied that he had played an advantage to us,but you can not play an advantage when it is a penalty.It was understandable that the Chessington bench had to spoken to and I think they done well to refrain from giving the ref any verbal.The players themselves were clearly upset at the decision but they responded well with again Theo Woodhouse sending in another great cross that beat the home keeper and just went out of play.But Chessington got there reward just on half time when another great cross by Theo Woodhouse was well headed in by Jimmy Harding.

Half Time Raynes Park Vale 2-1 Chessington & Hook Utd.

What ever The Management Team said at half time seem to work for Chessington as we forced Vale to defend for the first 10 mins. of the second half and we started playing football with our passing and movement a lot better and all Vale had was to knock a long ball and chase it.This did create a couple of chances for Vale and to be honest they should have done better.
In the 63rd min.Vic Martin replaced Paul Gough and still the long ball was creating chances for Vale and on one of these occasions in the 65th min Chessingtons Captin Owen Davis did not see eye to eye with another refs decision and talked his way into the refs book so Chessingtons Manager Paul Norris subbed him and Matt Mackenzie took his place.
In the 76th min a Vale defender gave away a free kick about 30yards out and Vic Martin took full advantage of this when he hit a great free kick over the vale keeper and into the net to give Chessington a deserved equalizer 2-2.Then only 3 min later a move between Dan Gurney and Jimmy Harding resulted in Charlie Ottoway running at the home defence as they backed off he slotted the ball home 2-3 to Chessington.
Now it was all Chessington and in the 83rd min.following a great run and cross by Theo Woodhouse was finished well again by Charlie Ottaway 2-4 to Chessington.Vale never gave up and had another chance when the away keeper and defence failed to deal with another cross into the box but the resulting corner came to nothing and then Chessington went and increased the lead when another run and great pass by Vic Martin gave Charlie Ottaway his Hat-trick. 2-5.

This must prove that when Chessington do play football and really do believe in themselves the way the Manager believes in them they can get results.

1. Nicky Taylor.
2. J Flack.
3. Dan Gurney.
4. Charlie Ottaway.***
5. Gary Puckett.
6. Owen Davies.(65th min)
7. Jimmy Harding.(mom)*
8. Tony Houghton.
9. Theo Woodhouse.(85th min)
10. Tom Tylar.
11. Paul Gough.(63rd min)

Victor Martin.(63rd min)*
Matthew Mackenzie.(65th min)
Adrain Greenland.(85th min)
Shane Hargraves.