Chessington & Hook vs Camberley Town

For the first time in a long while we went into a game as league leaders and maybe the pressure of those dizzy heights got to one or two players as we squandered a great opportunity to extend our lead at the top.

During the opening exchanges, our 3-5-2 shape was being exploited by some clever wing play by Camberley’s Ronnie Green, who time and again received the ball in plenty of space only to fall a little short with his final ball. Some minor tactical adjustments allowed the original game plan to be more effective, but this had taken a full thirty minutes to materialise. At last the two wide players in this system playing as something other than full backs. For all the endeavour of both sides the tension amongst the players was clear to see, and neither side did much to trouble the opposing goalkeeper.

The second half was a different story. The Chessington team presumably reminded by the Manager that they were top for a reason, started with much more purpose and were unquestionably the better side creating the first meaningful chance of the match that was spurned. On the hour and following a period of sustained pressure, Adam Cheadle unleashed a tremendous effort from outside the box that went in off the underside of the bar to send the home crowd into raptures of applause.

Chessington certainly sensed victory and in an incredible fifteen minute spell, firstly a corner flicked on by John Quigley saw another Cheadle effort well stopped by the keeper, then Reece Jackson have two efforts palmed away for corners, the same player have a goal disallowed for offside, another effort from Shane Graham blocked and a tame effort from Malik Buari beat the keeper only for a covering defender to comfortably clear. This breathtaking spell needed to be rewarded with a second goal as Camberley were never out of it and always posed a threat.

As the clock ticked down there was a genuine belief that we would claim a fine victory. However with ten minutes left a half clearance rebounded off the unfortunate Adam Cheadle to gift Camberley a way back in. The disappointment was plain to see and with the confidence of the side affected a second goal for Camberley followed shortly after. In fact that appeared to re vitalise the home side who again pressed for a second goal, being denied again by the visiting keeper in stoppage time from an Andrew Heath header.

The disappointment must be put to one side as with the number of second half chances we could and maybe should have won.